Vitamix Recipes That Will Blitz Your Summer BBQs

Do you want to know my favourite part about summer? That’s easy – spending time outdoors with my friends and family. I’ve got both my fingers and toes crossed that the NSW covid numbers don’t blow up in the next few weeks, because I’m planning on spending every weekend in January lapping up the sunshine and taking advantage of these long, summer days.

I have previously shared with you my obsession with my Vitamix – it’s a daily staple in my life and, if you’re wondering why, check out the article I wrote on why you need a Vitamix in your life! With that being said, I’m going to share with you my favourite Vitamix recipes that will make your summer BBQ season an absolute blast. These recipes are perfect for sharing and are all super easy to make. Let’s get into it!

Avocado Ranch Dressing
This is the perfect dressing or dip to bring to a picnic. Simply pour over a garden salad or use as a dipping sauce with carrot sticks and crackers.

Ingredients
½ avocado, peeled
2 Tablespoons red onion, diced
2 garlic cloves, peeled
¼ cup water
1 cup soy milk (or ½ cup if you want a thicker dressing)
½ teaspoon salt, optional
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper, optional
1 Tablespoon fresh dill leaves
1 Tablespoon fresh parsley leaves, chopped

Directions
Place all ingredients into the Vitamix and secure lid. Turn the dial to 1 and slowly increase speed to 10. Blend for 30 seconds.

Peanut Butter
Once you make your own peanut butter you will not go back! All you need for this recipe is 6 cups (about 880g) of peanuts that are roasted and unsalted. Add them into the Vitamix, start the blender and slowly increase to its highest speed. Blend for 1 minute and you’re good to go. Pick up some fresh bread from your local bakery and you’ve got yourself an excellent BBQ option that’s delicious and easy to share!

Energy Bliss Balls
These balls are super easy to make and also keep really well in the freezer. Whilst a great picnic food, they’re also an amazing, healthy snack that I love to have on hand at all times.

Ingredients
1 cup (140 g) raw almonds
1 cup (120 g) walnuts
2 cups (260 g) raisins
6 dates, pitted
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup (75 g) shredded coconut

Directions
Place the almonds and walnuts into your Vitamix. Pulse 8 times. Remove the lid and add in the raisins, pitted dates, vanilla, and coconut. Replace the lid but remove the lid plug. Insert the tamper. Pulse for 35 to 40 times, using the tamper to press the ingredients into the blades. Once the mixture looks wet and begins to cake, the mixture is done. Roll into balls and chill before serving.

Cauliflower Fried Rice
Ingredients
Cauliflower - 1 head, chopped
Baby carrots - 1 cup, chopped (128 g)
Edamame - 1 cup (155 g)
OTHER VEGGIES: peas/corn/broccoli - 1/2 cup (90 g)
Onion - 1/2 a whole, chopped
Oil - 2 Tbsp. (30 mL)
Soy sauce - 3 Tbsp. (45 mL)
(optional) rice wine vinegar - 1 Tbsp. (15 mL)

Instructions
Roughly blend cauliflower into rice-like pieces. Roughly blend carrots into dime-sized pieces. Place a large skillet on medium heat. Add half the oil. Cook carrots until decently soft (5 minutes or so). Add rest of oil. Add other non-cauliflower vegetables. Sautee for another few minutes until completely cooked. Add the chopped cauliflower, soy sauce and optional extras. Cook for 5 minutes. Stop cooking after five minutes. For real. Stop. Unless you want soggy city. Serve with nothing else. Be merry.

Strawberry Basil Lemonade
If you want to go the extra mile and really impress your friends, whip up some of this Strawberry Basil Lemonade and take a few jugs to your BBQ.

Ingredients
1 1/2 cups water
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
1 lemon peeled & halved
4 strawberries hulled
4 Tablespoon honey or agave
1/2 - 1 cup ice cubes

Instructions
Add all ingredients into your Vitamix and blend until combined and frothy smooth. Pour into cups and garnish with lemon slices and a sprig of basil. Enjoy!
 

Hummus
It wouldn’t be a picnic without hummus. Or, if you’re like me, you’ll know a day is never complete without a tub of hummus to top it off!

Ingredients 
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas or 1 1/2 cups (250 grams) cooked chickpeas
1/4 cup (60 ml) fresh lemon juice (1 large lemon)
1/4 cup (60 ml) well-stirred tahini, see our homemade tahini recipe
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for serving
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Salt to taste
2 to 3 tablespoons (30 to 45 ml) water
Dash ground paprika or sumac, for serving

Instructions 
In the Vitamix, combine the tahini and lemon juice and process for 1 minute. Add the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, and a 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the whipped tahini and lemon juice. Process for 30 seconds, scrape the container then process another 30 seconds or until well blended. Open, drain, and rinse the chickpeas. Add half of the chickpeas to the Vitamix and process for 1 minute. Scrape container then add remaining chickpeas and process until thick and quite smooth. If the hummus is too thick or chunky, slowly add 2-3 tablespoons of water until you reach the desired consistency. Taste for salt and adjust as needed. Serve hummus with a drizzle of olive oil and dash of paprika. Store homemade hummus in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to one week.

Image credit: The Plant Riot