Flax Seed

[Amuzon1]

I was just wondering...can I grind my flax seed in my vitamix? Or do I need to do it in my coffee grinder? Reason I'm asking is because I add it whole to smoothies and it comes out ground down, yet most people say to grind it in a coffee grinder. Was wondering if anyone who has a Vitamix has just ground like a cup of flax seed for like the pizza crust recipes in their vitamix rather than putting smaller batches in their grinder.

Danielle

[Rawkinlocs]

Most definitely! I use my Vitamix (and a 4500 at that without the "dry" container) to grind flax, oats, etc. all the time and it's great!

I still use my coffee grinder at times...moreso when I only need a small amount (like 1/4 c.) or if my container is wet inside...but for the most part, I use the Vitamix!

[Amuzon1]

Fabulous! Just what I wanted to hear!! ;)

Thanks,
Danielle

[Bananapie]

have you made nut butters in your vita mix without the dry container?

[Rawkinlocs]

have you made nut butters in your vita mix without the dry container?

Nahh...I've only tried to make nut butter a couple of times - once in the food processor and once in the Champion juicer.

[Amuzon1]

How'd they turn out? I just bought a some raw peanuts and wanted to try and make some peanut butter for my kids.

Danielle

[baltochef]

Danielle

I find it easier to make nut butters in a food processor, as opposed to a blender..

There is less waste (food left in the bowl) with the food processor as compared to the blender with all of the flutes that are in most blender jars..

I find it easier to get that last little bit of food out of the processor bowl (I'm frugal!), due to it's straight sides & flat bottom..

See my description of how I make nut butters on ladypeace82's Nut Butter thread from yesterday..

Good luck,

Bruce

[Amuzon1]

Thanks Bruce.

Danielle

[Ama]

How'd they turn out? I just bought a some raw peanuts and wanted to try and make some peanut butter for my kids.

Danielle

I do not recommend that. Raw peanuts do not taste ANYTHING like the peanuts that you are used to. First, peanuts aren't even nuts, they are a legume: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut Next, peanuts that you are used to are always cooked or roasted, never actually raw. I would recommend just about any nut butter over raw peanut butter. You can try almond butter or macadamia butter etc... You can just put some in your food processor, grind them up and add a bit of cold pressed olive oil to give it a creamy consistency. If you have a juicer that has a blank plate like the champion, samson, omega etc then you can just put the nuts through there.

[Ama]

Here is the link that Bruce was referring to above: http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=33650

Also, I would definitely NOT recommend trying nut butters in a vitamix or any other blender. That's a good way to burn out the motor. I actually don't put anything that will turn out too thick in my blender, I use my food processor for that. But as Rawk stated, the vitamix/blendtec is great for chopping flax, sesame seeds, oats etc...