As a safety measure, the blender speed may only be activated when the cooking process is complete. You can however, use the ‘SLOW STIR’ function at any stage during the cooking process. If the temperature inside the glass jar is below 60°C, all 4 blending speeds and the pulse function can be operated. This was the first model that we tested, with a vegetable chickpea soup on the chunky cuisinart pots and pans set setting. Starting by placing all the chopped raw ingredients in the jug, all that was required was to simply select the programme, then let the machine quietly hum away. As an all-in-one device that cooks, heats and blends, a soup maker cuts down on the number of appliances you need in the kitchen, too, commanding less of your attention mid-cook to produce satisfying results.
It is low in calories, really good for you (think beta-carotene) and very tasty. Within about a 40 minute time frame , I had an incredibly flavorful and unbelievably silky smooth Spiced Carrot Soup that would be luscious enough to serve to company. It was garnished with crispy Prosciutto, a dollop of Greek Yogurt and some snipped cilantro. Bring a state-of-the-art soup maker into the equation, and that changes everything. And with the weather looking every so slightly rainy these next few weeks, there’s no doubt we’ll be turning to home cooked soups a little more often.
We were told that we would add our ingredients into the blender, cook them and then blend them into a creamy soup. I’m not sure how long we had for the challenge, but I believe it was all completed within an hour, including the time required to chop the vegetables. There’s a high setting for bringing liquids up to the boil and a simmer setting which is a lower temperature and ideal for simmering soups. If you want to stir, you need to press the slow stir button.
This is where my latest obsession, the Cuisinart Blend and Cook Soupmaker, solves my soup dilemmas. The fascinating appliance combines a blender with a small heating plate which can saute vegetables and cook soup in 30 minutes. Cuisinart claims that its Soup Maker Plus SSB3U delivers perfect results, whether it’s chunky or smooth soup on the menu, or if you’re whipping up a smooth sauce for curry or pasta.
While the blender itself is very powerful, the main appeal to me is the ability to cook and blend ingredients all in one container. The soup maker has been a very welcome addition to my kitchen and has inspired me to make homemade soups much more often. I’ve also used it to make marinara sauce and vegetable purees to sneak into other foods. Hints & Tips If you are sautéing ingredients on the hot plate, always use butter or oil. Ensure that the butter/oil goes onto the heating plate and not onto the blades.