Using a hand-held mixer does not only make your work more manageable when it comes to getting your ingredients ready for cooking but also increases the level of versatility in your kitchen.
Most people will limit the handheld mixer to mixing cake recipes, and that is it. You can have more than one creative way to ensure that this handheld tool does more than you ever thought it would.
One of the best things about the handheld mixer is that it is portable.
The fact that you can move it around makes it fit bills that a stand mixer may not fit in despite the lower power capacity and more involving work.
The best thing to do in the kitchen in the modern day and age is to get appliances and items that will allow you to do more than one thing with them. This then avoids a lot of clutter and overlapping of roles saving you space and money.
Here are a few in and out of the box usages of a hand-held mixer.
1. Froth milk
Frothing milk is one of the ideal ways to puff up the cake. It creates an airy feel that comes mostly with sponge cakes. Frothing increases the number of bubbles between the milk particles which increases the number of air bubbles and the volume of the milk.
The process is fast and easy, requiring no extra effort when it comes to holding onto the milk bowl.
2. Mix cake
This is one of the most prevalent uses of hand mixer if not the main reason why it was invented in the first place.
The handheld mixer will allow you to mix your cake recipe in any type and size of the bowl which is one of the main advantages it has over stand mixers.
You can almost make any cake with the handheld mixer including cookies, waffles and so on.
Related: Stainless Steel Mixing Bowls Buying Guide
3. Working Light Dough for Pies
Pie dough is not as dense as bread dough, which makes it an ideal candidate for hand mixers. You will, however, have to do this in small amounts to make the dough manageable.
The only challenge is that you will need some extra effort holding the bowls that it does not turn along with the mixer.
4. Whipping Cream
What is cake without some great cream? The hand mixer does a great job when it comes to preparing creams for various usages. You also get to make multiple forms and recipes of cream for your cake and dessert use fast and easy.
5. Shred Chicken
Did you know that you can shred the chicken using a hand mixer? The shredded chicken comes up with some recipes and what better way to get this ready than to whip it up.
The best way to go about this is by ensuring the chicken is well boiled and a little wet by the time you put it in a bowl ready for mixing.
Put the mixer on low and work around the chicken and until you get the level of shredding you need. Be careful not to shred too much if you need a little volume on the chicken shreds.
6. Mixing meatballs
Mixing meatballs have never been more comfortable using a hand mixer. Mixing meatballs with the ingredients can be one tedious exercise while using your hands.
The handheld mixer does a remarkable job of blending the meat with the components of choice while doing it evenly.
This also gets your meatballs to mix ready fast and effectively.
7. Work juices from the fruits
The mixer does come with detachable prongs that you can pull out and use for other purposes. One of the best ways to set up your kitchen to avoid clutter is by using items in a multi-faceted manner.
You can pull out the mixer attachments and pull out fruit guts such as melons, oranges, and lemons.
8. Whip eggs
Whipping eggs by hand can be a real nightmare which is why the mixer is the best choice. Whisked eggs do a great job when it comes to making sponge cakes or generally creating soft, spongy dough for sweet and spongy products.
The churning also produces a good foam if that is what you are going for.
9. Whip Mashed Potatoes
This is the second most crucial process in the kitchen that the handheld mixer was invented for. Whip your mashed potatoes fast and comfortable in any container by adding a little water to make the process easy.
The hand mixer also allows you to mix another ingredient into the mashed potatoes including butter, greens, and spices.
10. Whipping Pancakes
Pancakes need relatively light dough, which makes the hand mixer the best way to put the ingredient together. You will get a lovely blend that is fluffy for the perfect pancakes.
Using the hand mixer also allows you to do a large number of pancakes without getting your hand numb.
11. Mixing guacamole
Nothing tastes better than well-mixed guacamole. The hand mixer does a great job whether you need the guacamole, chunky or well refined. The difference will be determined by the speed at which you set the hand mixer. The process is also possible on some other salads if you are creative enough.
One of the main things you should look at while using the hand mixer in the home is the amount of energy needed for whatever you are making while mixing the ingredients.
Heavy dough or heavy ingredients will not be smooth to work with using the hand mixer and will require a more powerful, more stable mixer. You will also need to look at the amount of energy you will use holding the bowl that you are doing your mixing in.
If the dish needs some extra muscle to stay put, you are in for a challenger. One of the many ways to help this is by lightening the ingredients to get the best results if this will in no way affect the outcome.
