Ninja, Magic Bullet, and Others

[catbatty]

I just bought a Ninja. http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/prod...480391&RN=436&

I'm very impressed. Made to last. Bigger than I expected. (It came with a 48oz and 40oz pitcher and the 16oz non-pitcher one, plus 3 lids. Blades are situated along center spindle of each.) Looks like the whole thing is quality and will last a lifetime or two.

I've made:
crushed ice + Welches grape juice,
pancakes (Bisquick),
smoothies (ice, banana, oj, milk, dried cranberries, some blueberryies, etc.) OUTSTANDING... it's like Ice Cream
scrambled eggs (threw in some string cheese and whatever else was in fridge, cilantro)

Now I need to come up with things to make ...in order to justify the space the set takes up on counter/cupboards so hubby doesn't kill me for buying ANOTHER food toy.

I reallllly like it. If I had little kids and a family to feed and entertain with drinks, etc., I'd be even more nutty about it. (Sharp blades...store out of reach of kids.)

Anybody have smoothie and other recipes for making in a blender/whiz machine? Anybody else bought a Ninja or MB?

[dreamer101]

I'm curious. The Ninja site says it's dishwasher safe but doesn't mention microwave safe. Can it be put in the microwave?

I love my Magic Bullet. The tall and short cups with lids are Microwave and Dishwasher Safe. I don't have any of those larger blender/juicer attachments. It takes up very little space. Besides all the usual smoothie recipes I use to it to grate cheese and make cheese sauces and soups that can be put in the microwave. I make salads (egg, tuna, chicken salads). I can also froth milk and heat in the microwave for my cappuccinos/lattes.

[tholbrook]

I have a Magic Bullet ... use it ALL the time. Everything from smoothies/milkshakes, to pureeing fruit/veggies, to grinding spices.

Unfortunately, the quality isn't the best - we've gone through about 4 blade attachments (the center around the blade wears out and starts leaking). The tabs on the cups also break off, so we've had to toss quite a few.

I haven't heard of the Ninja - will have to check it out, since we're needing to replace a bunch of MB parts again.

[Joribox]

catbatty -

My BF got the same model Ninja for Christmas that you have and we LOVE it! It is by far one of the coolest kitchen appliances either of us have ever had.

The only thing we've made is salsa but we make it 3-4 times a week. We started out using the recipe on the Ninja website but have since made a few adjustments to the recipe to fit our tastes. I'm not sure if you can really call it salsa, it's technically more of a glorified pico de gallo.

I love your idea of crushed ice and grape juice; BF's DD will absolutely love that. I'll definitely be keeping an eye on this thread to get ideas on what other people have made!

[gabbyh]

I couldn't decide which one to purchase, when I saw a review for a much cheaper version, the Hamilton Beach Single-serve Blender, on amazon.com and it was less than $20.

It has worked terrific...I use it mainly for my WW smoothies, and it crushes ice like nobodies business

~Gail

[Kate B]

I love my Magic Bullet. The tall and short cups with lids are Microwave and Dishwasher Safe. I don't have any of those larger blender/juicer attachments. It takes up very little space. Besides all the usual smoothie recipes I use to it to grate cheese and make cheese sauces and soups that can be put in the microwave. I make salads (egg, tuna, chicken salads). I can also froth milk and heat in the microwave for my cappuccinos/lattes.

Amen to this! I use mine all the time, too and love it!

[granolagirl]

I saw the Ninja several months and wanted it. So glad to hear it's worth it!

[waltnj]

I just bought one too. I needed a blender and I read such good things about the blades I figured I would get this. I love how quickly and evenly it minces onion. I cry like a baby when cutting onions, I hate it. But now it is no problem at all, the ninja perfectly minces a medium onion in 3 seconds, literally (and with no tears!). My mini chopper used to chop so unevenly.
Sorry I don't have more recipes. I was a little disappointed there weren't more that came with the product. Thanks for the tip about the pancakes. I will have to try it.
Nancy

[dlaboriel]

There are lots of recipes at the Ninja site. We really like the Creamsicle.

http://www.ninjakitchen.com/recipes_frozen.shtml

[anne2011]

I have a MB. Here are some recipe ideas:

http://www.buythebullet.com/bulletrecipes.php

Got Milk recipes:

http://gotmilk.com/#/recipes/

How about
any cream of soup (broccoli cheese etc.)
Gazpacho
Guacamole
Potato pancakes or hash browns
Mousse

One of the blender sites (Hamilton Beach?) had lots of recipe ideas.

[catbatty]

Dreamer: Sorry been so long. I had to go look to find an answer for ya. Re your question (I paraphrase): does Ninja say ok to microwave like Magic Bullet does?

I found box for Ninja. It says something about microwave (like from freezer to microwave to serve)...(SO, yes, I think they want us to think it's safe to nuke) and in various places on net...but not clear claims consistently. SO, I'm not sure what they really are claiming...as related to nuking food in their plastic pitchers...or putting their plastics in microwave.

BUT even if 'safe' according to mfg's...letting food be near heated plastic is not something we do here at our home. Don't think it's safe for health. We feel it's better to play it safe and heat in micro with glass. Just our opinion. Sorry to be negative.

[madpots]

I watched the infomercial entirely and it is great for the things it does but it did not mention using the microwave. I have a Magic Bullet that I have never used, but now I think I will get it out and read the instructions!

[fci5767]

I never heard of the Ninja before this thread and now I NEED one. LOL. I think I might get one when my tax refund gets here.

[granolagirl]

Are your Ninja's still going strong?

Any other blender to recommend?

[AngelaM]

Glad to see this thread! I bought my blender about 6-7 years ago when I still lived at my parents house. I think its trying to die. Its not very powerful and I need to take the lid off and stir about 2-3 times at least per smoothie.

Typically I make smoothies involving yogurt/milk or kefir and some sort of frozen fruit. I would like to start adding spinach, but I don't think the blender would cooperate well at all for that. And of course, need something that can handle the occassional frozen margarita.

I want simple but powerful and it can't be too large because it is something I would use multiple times a week but I don't have much counter/cupboard space.

Any recs? I thought about a Magic Bullet, but they seem cheesy.

[Kate B]

Any recs? I thought about a Magic Bullet, but they seem cheesy.

As I mentioned in my post above, I love my Magic Bullet. I actually just bought a second one at Costco even though my first is still going strong as the deluxe set had a blender bowl. I put my old one away 'just in case'. Not cheesy at all IMHO.

Kate

[golden1225]

How does the Ninja compare to a VitaMix? I have a VitaMix and love, love, love it. I was thinking of buying a used one to keep in my office so I can make lunch if I forget to bring it. I'm wondering if the Ninja really is a good substitute? Anyone know?

[AngelaM]

As I mentioned in my post above, I love my Magic Bullet. I actually just bought a second one at Costco even though my first is still going strong as the deluxe set had a blender bowl. I put my old one away 'just in case'. Not cheesy at all IMHO.

Kate

Thanks Kathy. There is also another poster who said she has replaced her MB blades 4 times and that they are not great quality. A lot of people seemed to be talking about the Ninja, so I just wanted more discussion about other brands. Also, since they make single servings, are they good for making margaritas and such?

[Shugness]

Do these things crush ice better than a blender? Mine isn't all that great at it. I'd love to make a pina colada easier!

[granolagirl]

yeah! I got a Ninja. So excited to try it out (for something other than a smoothie).

[catbatty]

Granola Girl: Oh boy! Congrats! Did you get the blender one (I mean, I haven't seen mine in BB&B and Macy's lately, but have seen the Ninja that looks similar to a blender...I think it sells for more money than the set I have.) I think you are going to be very happy with it. The product I bought seems extremely well made and sturdy.

Shugness: I think the Ninja does a great job with ice. You could make ice-cones with mine.

Edited to say: Gosh, I just followed MY OWN LINK in my original post and I see people are still (I think) buying the Ninja that I bought...because there are current reviews of it there. So, for anybody who asked questions long ago (I'm sorry...I didn't ignore...just lost track of this thread) there might be lots more information for you posted by all those reviewers. I can't answer many of them. And thanks to all who posted links to recipes! I need to get my Ninja set out -- I really like the thing but I haven't used it in a long time (no cooking here...husband's been doing it). I've been involved in 'projects' and now intend to do more cooking. I miss my kitchen.

[dlaboriel]

I have the older model Ninja with all the different attachments. Although I have had if for some time and use it almost every day, it still works just as it did when I first bought it. I have the Majic Bullet, but it is still in the box, never used so I can't comment on how well it works. I looked at the new Ninja in Bed Bath & Beyond and I am tempted to make the purchase, especially with the 20% coupon. If I do, then I'll pass the old one on to a friend.

[AngelaM]

Saw this post again today....I did end up with a Ninja after-all! I bought it mostly for smoothies, but by the posts here, it appears I am under-utilizing it. It is very powerful though. I highly recommend to anyone in the market for a blender.

[storispa]

i'm looking at this one
Cuisinart Elite Die-Cast Mini Prep, 4-Cup
anyone have it?

[birdyone]

I have that one, the 4-cup Cuisinart and really like it and use frequently - it's not an ice chopper, but for everything else, it's perfect. I also have the Ninga - my only complaint is that the 'motor/top' is big and - for me - if I don't put it in a cupboard (then it would never get used) - it looks rather clumsy - and I guess I'm rather lazy as I don't wash it always right away after I use it -that being said, it is a powerhouse! I bought a VitaMix - the smaller one and it still didn't fit under my cupboards, so sent it back.