TheBanyanTree: A smoothie saga...

[bluenosr at ns.sympatico.ca]

I made my first smoothie tonight.  

No, I lie.  I made my second one tonight, but actually made my first 
one LAST night.  I was only able to have a little taste.  But it was 
some good, B'y! :)

See, I have this slightly elderly blender.  The only sign of it's age 

is the 3-prang-prong-less cord that is approaching 'crisp'.  Got the 
picture?  Been using it for years.  

The thing I most ~repeatedly~ used it for was soft bread crumbs, 
which I prefer over dried ones.  At first, after a few failures, I 
managed to get the knack.  The lid of my blender has the removable 
center knob, which I remove...the kind that allows you to add things 
without stopping the action or spraying juice or bits all over 
yourself and the kitchen.  I take bread slices and rip them up in 5 
or 6 pieces or more, and a bit more to the crust areas.  I do 2 
slices worth first and put them in the blender with the main cover 
off.  Then, I tear up all the slices I plan to do and (usually) put 
them in a bread bag or a large bowl...just to keep the mess down. 

Cover on, minus center bit, and I use the 'Insta-blend'(on my model) 
button to blend in short bursts.  "Pulse" maybe on yours.  Then, I'll 

add about 3 or 4 slices worth more bread pieces through the hole, 2 
or 3 pieces at a time while I hold it ON.  Then I empty out crumbs 
into a container or bag. And begin again.  

Don't keep the blender on a second longer than it takes to get crumbs 

and don't try and fill it up, or they will begin to moosh together!  
That's why I do only a few slices at a time before emptying the 
container.  And you really need non-fresh bread!  It will be a bit 
slow at first, but you CAN get a nice flow going and doesn't take 
that long.   

I use the crumbs for breaded chops, etc., and for stuffing for 
turkey.  And I usually make these crumbs when I'm not busy in the 
kitchen, and I bag them, and freeze them.  Later, I can grab - or 
break off - a fist full or two when needed.  They freeze and thaw 
really well.

Back to my smoothie.  Not using my blender very often now, I don't 
like to tighten up the bottom part because of the rubber ring.  So, I 

leave it just sitting in its place, not screwed in.  Know where I'm 
going with this?

Well, I put the blender on my counter, took the cover off, and added  

some chopped up banana and peach, orange juice, touch of lime, touch 
of honey, a few chunks of ice cubes, and....I think that's all.  
Meant to add plain yogurt, but forgot I had some.  I turned it on and 

it blended well.  Was looking really good!

I grabbed my glass in my left hand, picked up the glass blender jar, 
and poured.  But I didn't get much in my glass, as it was pouring all 

over the blender base and counter!  HOW'd THAT HAPPEN??  I instantly 
KNEW that I hadn't screwed on the base!!!  That a mess!  But it 
tasted great...what little I managed to rescue!

I decided it was time for a new one.  Besides it's age, I ~know~ some 

of the juice got on or in the motor.   So, I've found one I think 
will suit me at a good price at Home Hardware...the place I can walk 
to...and will go take a look at it on Tuesday or so.

The smoothie I made tonight doesn't have enough ice.  That's because 
I had to pound an ice cube in a bag to crush it, and I was talking on 

the phone at that time.  Don't ask :)  However, I am not discouraged. 

I don't know WHY I've never thought of making my own.  And I can't 
claim a Senior Moment!  I foresee a lot of tasty nutrients in the old 

bod in the future!  

Cj