Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are delicate vegetables that can be chopped in a Vitamix blender. While some prefer to dice mushrooms by hand, using a Vitamix can save time and effort. It is important to note that over-processing mushrooms can result in an undesirable mash. To achieve small pieces, pulse the mushrooms in the Vitamix a few times, being careful not to overdo it. This technique is useful for preparing mushroom soups, gravies, and other dishes that require chopped mushrooms. The Vitamix can also be used to blend other ingredients for recipes, such as creating cashew cream for vegan mushroom soups or processing vegetables for coleslaw.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Mushroom type | Cremini or Shitake |
| Vitamix settings | Pulse 6-8 times on variable setting 6 |
| Dice size | Larger dice size can be achieved by using settings 4 or 5 |
| Use case | Recommended for cooked mushrooms, not raw |
| Soup type | Mushroom Coconut Soup |
| Soup ingredients | Black garlic, regular garlic cloves, tamari, tahini, pepper, cashew cream, scallions, chives |
| Soup preparation | Place ingredients in Vitamix container, secure lid, start on lowest speed, increase to highest speed, blend for 5 minutes 45 seconds to 7 minutes 30 seconds |
| Additional texture | Pour soup over roasted, chopped mushrooms |
| Other recipes | Mushroom gravy, vegan cream of mushroom soup, coleslaw |
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What You'll Learn
Pulse settings for chopping mushrooms
Mushrooms are quite delicate, so it is not recommended to chop them in a Vitamix blender unless they are to be used in a soup. This is because you will need liquid in the blender to get all the mushroom bits out of the jar.
If you do wish to use a Vitamix blender to chop mushrooms, it is best to pulse the blender rather than blending continuously, to avoid creating a mushroom paste. One source recommends pulsing six to eight times on variable setting six. However, this source also notes that they would use setting four or five for a larger dice. Another source recommends using variable speed five for the best results when chopping vegetables.
It is important not to over-pulse, as this will turn the mushrooms into a paste. You should also be aware that the Vitamix manual recommends cutting vegetables into 1.5-inch chunks before chopping. If your chunks are too large, they may not process evenly, so you may need to strain and re-process larger chunks.
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Preparing mushrooms for soup
To use a Vitamix to chop mushrooms, it is recommended to pulse the machine around six to eight times on a lower variable setting. This will ensure the mushrooms are not over-processed, which can result in a mushroom paste. It is advised to use a lower setting and pulse in short bursts, as mushrooms are delicate and can easily be over-blended.
If you are making a mushroom soup, you can also use the Vitamix to blend all the ingredients together. For example, in a vegan cream of mushroom soup, you can first make a cashew cream by blending raw cashews and water on high for five minutes. You can then cook onions and garlic in olive oil until they start to brown, add the mushrooms and cook until they lose their pink colour. Finally, add the cashew cream, water, and salt, bring to a boil, and simmer. You can then use the Vitamix to blend the soup until it reaches your desired consistency.
Additionally, you can use the Vitamix to chop other vegetables for your soup, such as onions and carrots. It is recommended to process these vegetables separately, and you can use the dry-chop method for some and the wet-chop method for others. The wet-chop method involves covering the vegetables with water and locking the lid on before processing. You can also use the Vitamix to make a dressing or gravy to go with your soup by blending the ingredients together.
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Making mushroom gravy
Firstly, chop your vegetables. You can use a Vitamix to chop mushrooms, but mushrooms are quite delicate, so it is not recommended unless they are to be used in a soup. If you want to use the Vitamix for chopping, pulse six to eight times on a variable setting of four, five, or six.
Next, sauté your onions for a few minutes. You can add some oil to the pan at this stage. Then, add your mushrooms and cook for around 10 minutes. You can also add some garlic and rosemary at this point. If you want to add extra depth of flavour, deglaze the pan with a generous splash of white wine, brandy, or bourbon, or add in a spoonful of miso paste or soy sauce.
Now, add the rest of your ingredients. These can include vegetable stock, butter or vegan butter, thyme, and flour to thicken the gravy. If you are not using alcohol, you can add some extra vegetable stock instead. Simmer all the ingredients for around 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Finally, it's time to blend. Add 75% of the gravy to your Vitamix blender and blend on high for around five minutes. Then, add the remaining 25% of the unprocessed gravy to the blended mixture. This will add some texture to your gravy.
Your mushroom gravy is now ready to serve! This recipe is perfect for vegetarians and vegans, and can be made ahead of time, making it a great option for holiday meals.
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Chopping mushrooms by hand
Next, decide how small you want your mushroom pieces to be. For larger pieces, you can simply slice the mushrooms into halves or quarters. If you want smaller pieces, you can make evenly spaced cuts across the mushroom slices. For even smaller pieces, you can julienne the mushrooms by stacking the slices and cutting across them to make thin strips. Finally, for finely chopped mushrooms, simply cut across the julienned strips to create small squares.
It's important to use a sharp knife when chopping mushrooms, as their soft texture can be easily damaged by a dull blade. A standard kitchen or paring knife is usually best, but any cutting utensil with a well-honed edge will work. Avoid serrated knives, as these can mangle the mushrooms. Always use a cutting board to protect your countertops, and have a container nearby to hold your chopped mushrooms.
With these simple steps, you'll be a mushroom-chopping pro in no time!
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Using a Vitamix to chop other vegetables
Using a Vitamix blender to chop vegetables is a quick and efficient way to prepare ingredients for cooking. While some cooks prefer to chop their vegetables by hand, using a Vitamix can save time and effort, especially when preparing large quantities of food. Here are some tips for using a Vitamix to chop a variety of vegetables:
When preparing vegetables such as carrots, onions, and cabbage for a recipe like coleslaw, the Vitamix can be a useful tool. To shred the vegetables, process them separately, using the dry-chop method. Start by cutting the vegetables into large chunks. For example, cut the carrots into thirds and the onion into quarters. Then, put the lid on the Vitamix container, turn it on, and drop the vegetable chunks into the running blender. Use variable speed 5 for carrots and onions. For cabbage, you can use the wet-chop method by covering the chunks with water and locking the lid on before processing.
For smaller or more delicate vegetables, such as mushrooms, it is important to be careful not to over-process them. Mushrooms can be added to the Vitamix whole, but they should be pulsed only a few times to achieve a chopped consistency. A Vitamix user recommends pulsing six to eight times on variable setting six for a fine chop, suggesting that settings four or five might be better for a larger dice. It is also recommended to use the pulsed mushrooms for cooked applications, such as soup, rather than raw dishes to ensure all the small pieces can be incorporated into the dish.
Vitamix blenders can also be used to make creamy vegetable soups. For example, a vegan cream of mushroom soup recipe calls for blending raw cashews and water to create a cashew cream, which is then added to cooked vegetables and simmered to create a creamy soup. The Vitamix can handle both the initial chopping of vegetables and the blending of the final soup, making it a versatile tool in the kitchen.
When blending vegetables, it is important to be mindful of the volume of ingredients in the Vitamix container. For example, when making a small batch of salad dressing, it may be necessary to chop up garlic before adding it to ensure it doesn't get stuck under the blades. However, for most recipes, the Vitamix is capable of handling whole cloves of garlic and other larger ingredients, making it a convenient tool for busy cooks.
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Frequently asked questions
To chop mushrooms in a Vitamix, pulse them 6-8 times on variable setting 6. You can also try setting 4 or 5 for larger dices.
You can make a vegan cream of mushroom soup in your Vitamix. First, make cashew cream by blending raw cashews and water on high for 5 minutes. Then, cook onions and garlic in olive oil until the onions start to brown. Add chopped mushrooms and cook for 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the cashew cream, water, and salt, and bring to a low boil. Simmer uncovered for 25 minutes.
Yes, you can also chop mushrooms by hand or use a food processor. However, be careful not to over-pulse, or you'll end up with mushroom mash!
When chopping mushrooms in a Vitamix, it's important to cut them into small, evenly sized pieces first. This will help them circulate evenly and prevent larger chunks from getting stuck.
Yes, Vitamix blenders can also be used to chop vegetables such as carrots, onions, and cabbage. You can use the dry-chop method or the wet-chop method, depending on the recipe and your preference.
