Just about every kitchen is equipped with a blender but most people use them only for making drinks or crushing ice.  Many people don't think about the fact that the blender is actually a great kitchen tool that is not just for mixing cocktails.  The blender is actually similar to a food processor and can perform many of the same functions. 

Most blenders have several or more power settings.  These settings correspond to the speed of the blade.  You can easily chop up vegetables in the blender without the need to get out the food processor.  Chopping veggies takes only a few seconds so you can try using the pulse setting.  The pulse setting simply allows the blender to operate only while you are holding down the button.  Besides chopping vegetables you can also chop nuts and can make breadcrumbs. 

One of the best uses for the blender is for making baby food.  While you make a meal for your family simply keep some meat and vegetables aside.  Place them into the blender and in just a few seconds you'll have the perfect baby food.  Best of all you can make it the exact consistency that you desire.  You can make it pureed for small babies and make it chunkier as the child grows. 

The blender is the best place to make sauce, pesto, salsa and dip.  You can easily add ingredients and make the sauce the exact desired consistency.  The pulse feature again lets you control how finely minced you make it.  Sauces can be made by using the puree setting until the sauce is smooth.  You can make wonderful salad dressings using fresh ingredients and herbs.  They can be made very healthy by streaming in only a small amount of oil until the desired consistency is met.

You can make healthy soups in the blender.  Simply cook the ingredients in one pot and then place them into the blender to be pureed.  You can pour the blended soup back into the pot to keep warm.  Making homemade soups is easy using the blender and is much healthier than eating prepared soups.  You can control the ingredients as well as the salt and fat content.  Experiment with different types of ingredients to make different versions of soups. 

You can also use your blender to mix up other items as well. For example you can make and easy tuna or chicken salad by just putting the ingredients into the blender for just a few seconds.  Again you control the ingredients so you can make the salad using low fat products and healthy ingredients.