What I Tested: Vita-Mx Super 5200 ($549 - Available Here)
I received an email from someone at the PR firm that represents the Vita-Mix 5200. The email explained the power and versatility of this blender and suggested that I give it a whirl (no pun intended). Having tested a number of blenders and being mildly excited I was eager to see what this had to offer.
The company introduced their first blender in 1937 and they sell their product in over 75 countries. This new version is the first revision of the product in 15 years. This seems like one of those hand me down products. Kind of like my Atlas pasta maker that my mom gave me and that her mom gave to her.
What I Made:
The product claims that it can perform 35 different functions including making smoothies and ice cream, grinding grains to make flour, kneading dough and making whole food juice.
Although I did not make my own flour or knead dough I did put the Vita-Mix to the test and made more smoothies than I could drink on my own.
Since I love the flavor of whole food juices I also made some veggie drinks. My favorite smoothies that I made included:
- 1 banana
- 5 frozen strawberries
- 1 tbsp of soy protein powder
- 2 cups of vanilla soy milk
Toss everything into the wet blade container and follow the instructions for blending.
I also prepared Banana Bread with the Vita-Mix.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup brown sugar
- 3 eggs, beaten
- 2 1/3 cups mashed overripe bananas
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a 9x5 inch loaf pan. In a large bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. In your Vita-Mix 5200 wet container, cream together butter and brown sugar (refer to the instructions on how to best cream ingredients). Mix in eggs and mashed bananas and blend well. Place flour mixture into banana mixture and blend until smooth. Transfer to loaf pan and bake in preheated oven about 50 minutes minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of the loaf comes out clean. Let bread cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.
For a whole slew of recipes you can log on and see the myriad of things you can make with the Vita-Mix 5200.
How It Rated:
If I had an entire year to play with this product I could certainly keep myself busy preparing foods in the kitchen. Unfortunately, time is of the essence so I had to stop short of testing some smoothies and bread recipes.
This is by far one of the best blenders I have ever used. What makes it so amazing? In addition to being sturdy and easy to use, it is also very powerful and totally versatile. You would be amazed at the consistency of the smoothies I made – everything in the container becomes pulverized and smooth as silk.
My friends and I did follow the directions to make tomato juice for our bloody Mary’s but the consistency was a little off. The juice that comes from the tomatoes is much thinner than the tomato juice from a can.
The bread that I made came out perfectly moist and delicious and the preparation using the Vita-Mix was quite simple.
Yes… the Vita-Mix Super 5200 is pricey, but there is a less expensive version – minus the dry container – for $449. If you search a little online you can find them for less money so do your homework and you can save some cash. In reality I think that the average person probably does not need the dry container, it seems a little gratuitous (unless you plan on making your own flour and blending other grains). At then end of the day hoever, this product is worth every penny and that it will last for years to come.
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