Video: Hand blender is not just for shakes, MasterChef Pankaj Bhadouria shares 5 smart kitchen uses

Many small electric gadgets lie around in homes, used only occasionally before being pushed to dusty corners. One such gadget is the hand blender. While extremely useful, people often limit its use to making milkshakes, lassi, or smoothies. However, did you know this versatile tool can also help extract butter from cream or whip up creamy mayonnaise?

If you are tired of pulling out heavy mixers, washing large bowls, and wasting time grinding small portions, a hand blender can be a game-changer. MasterChef Pankaj Bhadouria has shared 5 smart ways to use a hand blender to make everyday cooking much easier.

1. Blend Hot Soups and Gravies Directly in the Pan

If you want a smooth texture for your soups, dal, or gravies, there is no need to let them cool down and transfer them to a mixer jar. Using a hand blender, you can blend hot mixtures directly in the pan or bowl, saving time and reducing dirty dishes.

2. Grind Small Portions of Spices and Garlic

Often, we only need to grind 2-3 cardamom pods, a few cloves of garlic, or a small green chili. Pulling out a big mixer jar for this can be cumbersome. A hand blender with the right attachment makes grinding small quantities quick and effortless.

3. Extract Butter from Malai in Minutes

Extracting butter from collected cream (malai) can feel tedious. However, using a hand blender in a deep container makes this process much faster. Blend in intervals and check the consistency to reduce physical effort significantly.

4. Make Creamy Mayonnaise and Sauces at Home

Very few people know that a hand blender can be used to whip up fresh mayonnaise, garlic sauce, and various spreads at home. Blending the ingredients well creates a smooth and creamy texture instantly.

5. Perfect for Milkshakes, Lassi, and Smoothies

While this is its most common use, a hand blender excels at whipping up milkshakes, lassi, and fruit smoothies by thoroughly blending milk, yogurt, and fruits within seconds to give a smooth texture.