A BATCH OF BLENDERS

From electric whisks and sauce makers to small, lightweight mixers, this year’s crop of food blenders offers exciting new ways to shorten the preparation time for frothy concoctions.

Devotees of French cooking will especially appreciate the consistently good results from Vivalp’s Sauce Master, at right. This gourmet kitchen appliance simultaneously heats (up to 330 degrees) and blends the smoothest sauces, the creamiest pie fillings and the richest soups. It works with equal efficiency for mixing cold salad dressings, purees or desserts. The 430-watt, thermostatically controlled base unit comes with a one-liter, heat-resistant bowl a recipe booklet. At Robinson’s. For those who have a penchant for making the best whipped cream, the perfect meringue, enviable mousses and souffles, the trio of new electric devices shown below are designed to speed the preparation process and save the cook’s energy. At left is the Bamix miniature food processor, which, because of a protective shield at the end of the shaft, safely blends, chops, grinds or whips any substance in any container. This ingenious appliance comes with its own plastic beaker, three blades--a beater, chopper and aerator--and a dry grinder. It will grind coffee beans and spices, make fresh peanut butter and mayonnaise and, according to the manufacturer, whip nonfat milk into a rich and creamy low-fat dessert topping. It’s available through Clark National Products, San Dimas. At center is the Cuisinart whisk attachment that fits directly onto the processor shaft and allows you to make meringue, mashed potatoes, whipped cream and other delicacies in the work bowl of any Cuisinart DLC-7 series food processor. At Bullock’s. At right is the Braun Mini Pimer MR6+, a portable blender in a stylish, slim body made of durable white plastic. It comes with a wall-mounted holder, a small bowl, an egg separator, two beakers (one of which has a strainer), a chopping blade and a whisk attachment. The Mini Pimer can be used for any small chopping or blending task, including making baby food, milk shakes, blended drinks or minced herbs, and you can use it directly in saucepans on the stove. It is quiet, efficient and very easy to clean. Also available at Bullock’s.