> >> > Chocolate ganache tart
> >> > To make the base whizz the nuts up in a food processor
> >> Btw, after the death of my old blender at the usual impractical "moment", I
> > Doesn't it always seem to happen that way.
> Yes.. for me it's happened once too many times.. blenders, mixers, etc.

Machines suffer overuse injuries, too. Is Ron handy 
with electricals? Could save money once in a while.
 
> > If it's sturdy enough and can outlive two cheap machines,
> It's got a heavy duty plastic blender jar.  Like the Bosch Mixer, the fact
that
> it's plastic doesn't seem to make a difference in anything I've used it
for.  I
> was always of the opinion it was best to avoid plastics or rubbers, etc. for
> things like whipped cream, etc. but I've whipped heavy cream with no problems
> in the bosch mixer.

As my right wrist has been a major source of income
for me, and as I've had to keep it supple and strong,
I generally whipped cream and egg whites by hand.

Thinking about it, though, plastic shouldn't be that
much of a problem if you get your food out and into 
that nonporous nonreactive bowl as soon as possible. 
Not sure about rubber gaskets, though. I used to be 
able to taste rubber gasket.
 
> > that's a good deal. Anyhow, last time I bought a blender
> > it cost $29 at Sears, Roebuck - probably equivalent to
> > close to 80 now.
> I see Oster blenders here (4-6 speed, I forget how many) for $25.00.  That is
> just the one that died here recently.. off to dinosaur appliance heaven for
> that guy :)  I also see various blenders in the area going for anywhere from
> that 25bux to $500.00+.. ouch.. couldn't make myself spend that much on one.

I'm not sure about $25 blenders made by Chinese slave
workers. Of course, the ones costing ten times as much
are probably also made by Chinese slave workers.
 
> > It lasted a long time (I don't know
> > where it is any more), and other than the screw-on base
> > of the blending chamber breaking a couple months in (I
> > fixed it with epoxy, which repair lasted over a decade),
> > it worked great.
> That Oster I had died a slow death.. first varous speeds died, then the whole
> thing just "stopped".  I figured when I bought the bosch mixer that "someday"
> I'd replace the somewhat dead blender when it died, so that worked for me.

Somewhat dead blender, I like that.
 
> > A good reliable blender with a good sharp blade and at
> > least three speeds is a truly wonderful thing.
> Yes indeed :)

I've not seen much use for more speeds than stir, mix,
and beat the heck out of. Three. I've seen ones with
a whole array of buttons PLUS another button to toggle
low and high gear for all of them. Overkill, as far as
I can see, though they've been fun to play with.
 
> > Sundried tomato, veggie lasagne with rosemary cashew cream cheese
> > categories: healthy, vegan, pasta, main, g/f, low-carb
> Looks really good...

Loked okay to me, but I'd have substituted thyme and 
oregano for rosemary and sneaked in a pound of pork
sausage somewhere.
 
> Here's another Cashew recipe my daughter loves:
> === Cashew Cheese Cake ===

How good a facsimile is it of the real thing? I'm
interested in vegan cheese not because of veganism,
god forbid, but because I get a good deal on pills 
only so often.

Coffee frappe
categories: vegan, beverage, dessert
servings: 1

1 c Silk Soy, Almond or Coconutmilk, any flavor
1 c ice
1/2 c non-dairy vanilla ice cream
1 ts vanilla extract
2 ts instant espresso powder 

Combine all ingredients in a blender and process
until smooth and thick.

Source: WhiteWave Foods