I can’t say enough how cool it is that Cook’n has partnered with Blendtec. I use this machine several times a day, almost every day, for all sorts of things and the end results are always superb. I could probably go to work for the company demonstrating this appliance, that’s how enthusiastic I am about my Blendtec.

So it’s with this enthusiasm (but at the risk of sounding like an infomercial) that I thought every once in awhile I’d commit one of my 4 columns to cooking (cook’n) with Blendtec. And I’ll start things off with one of their latest creations, just in time for the holidays: drool-worthy Peppermint Brownies.

On their website, Blendtec says “We continue to keep dreaming of new and better ways to build machines that improve the lives of others. It all began with one man and his curiosity (Tom Dickson, who wondered if a blender was powerful enough to grind up a 2x4—no kidding). He has shared that vision with others, and with his team, the dream continues to unfold.”

Unfold it does, too. One of the many great things about the Blendtec company is how generous they are with their recipes and blender know-how. On the Blendtec website you’ll find oodles and oodles of recipes created in their test kitchen, all designed to maximize this blender’s use. They’ve perfected recipes for breads and batters; beverages; desserts; soups; smoothies; dressings and marinades; and dips, sauces, and spreads.

And under the heading “Meal Ideas” you’ll find recipes for Avocado Soup, Banana Bread French Toast, Black Bean Veggie Burger (one of my personal favorites), Blueberry Breakfast Bars, Broccoli Cheddar Soup, Brown Rice Burgers, Butternut Squash Soup, Cheese and Meat Empanadas, Creamy Tomato Basil Soup (one of the best of tomato-basil combinations ever), Curried Cauliflower Soup, Honey Maple Granola, Kale and Mushroom Stroganoff, Personal Pizzas, Potato Spinach Cakes (we inhaled these), Rosemary Veggie Pot Pie, and… Well, you get the idea, the list goes on, and so do the rave reviews.

Blendtec also devotes space to lots of healthy baby food recipes (which by the way, comes in handy for those of us who are nursing elderly parents or grandparents, or folks who’ve just had major dental work done). Apple-Banana, Creamy Carrots, Green beans, Perfect Peaches, Steamed Peas, and Yams are just for starters.

Speaking of dental anything, don’t you hate how those tiny chia, sesame, strawberry, and raspberry seeds can get caught between your teeth? This is where my love for my Blendtec really exudes. Every morning I make a green smoothie with 3 tablespoons chia seed, 3 tablespoons sesame seed, several strawberries (fresh when in season), and often a handful of raspberries (again, fresh when in season). And you’d never know there was anything with a tiny seed in this drink. And NEVER EVER have I had a seed stuck between my teeth after drinking this delicious concoction. That’s how perfectly this blender pulverizes everything.

And lastly, this company also shares prolifically on You Tube on a regular basis. And that’s just where you’ll catch their demonstration on how to use the Blendtec to build some of the most delicious brownies I’ve ever had.

For your convenience, here’s their recipe for these great brownies, and what’s a more holiday-ish flavor than peppermint? (Note: the Wildside +jar is the container that comes with the Blendtec when it’s purchased at Costco.)

PEPPERMINT BROWNIES

³ ⁄₄ cup melted butter

² ⁄₃ cup semisweet chocolate chips

6 candy canes, divided

3 large eggs

¹ ⁄₂ cup baking cocoa

1 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

⁷ ⁄₈ cup all-purpose flour

Preheat oven to 350°F. Add 2 ½ candy canes to WildSide+ jar and secure lid. Press "Pulse" 1-2 times. Put the broken candy cane pieces into a separate bowl and set aside. Add butter and chocolate chips, and 3½ candy canes to WildSide+ jar. Secure lid and select "Batter" or blend on Medium Low (speed 3 or 4) for 30 seconds. Add eggs, cocoa, sugar, and vanilla to jar and secure lid. Press "Pulse" 3–5 times. Add flour and secure lid. Pulse 3–5 times, and use spatula to scrape down sides of jar.

Pour into greased 9-x-9-inch or 11-x-7-inch pan. Garnish the brownies with reserved candy cane pieces. Bake for 30 minutes or until wooden toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.