Thai Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
I’ve been using a high-end professional blender for a few years now and I am still in love with it and use it constantly. So when Sears Canada reached out to me to check out the new Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender, I was a little hesitant. I don’t really like setting myself up for having to write a negative review and I felt like one would probably be coming. I mean, how does one compare a $700 blender to one that is only $149.97?
Well I put away my Blendtec over past two weeks and I’ve been testing out the Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender to find out.
The Kenmore Pro by Sears actually surprised me in the end. It offers almost everything my high end blender does but at a fraction of the cost.
It has a 2L capacity BPA-free container like my high end blender, which is great when making soup. There is no sorting out how to blend in batches, it will likely all fit!
It is powered by a 1.95 hp engine and 6 japanese-made blades that allow you to blend, chop, churn, cream and grind. Not to mention it can easily handle chopping and crushing ice (hello smoothies!) Now the engine is less powerful than my high end blender but honestly, you would never know based on performance. My soup came out every bit as smooth and creamy as it does when I make it with my other blender.
The only thing missing, for me, is that there are no pre-programmed settings and the controls aren’t touch-screen. To be fair though, the Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender was designed to be comparable with the Vitamix and I think the controls are very similar to what you would find on a Vitamix. It’s also capable of 11 speeds with a separate pulse switch.
On the other hand, I found a feature on this blender that I wish my blender had – a built in cord storage system under the base! I mean honestly, it is such a simple thing but it makes storage so much more organised. It’s a seriously smart feature!
Being a professional blender, it is large, heavy and fairly loud but that is consistent with other high-end professional style blenders.
There is even a speed setting for heating up food as it blends which is actually a really useful feature. It’s great for making hot soups in just minutes.
I was also pleased with all the built in safety features found on the Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender like rubber feet to stabilize, overheat/overcurrent protection, a soft start motor and a safety switch.
Overall, I am very pleased with the Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender and would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a high-end blender. Especially for those who cannot quite stomach the price points of a Vitamix or Blendtec blender.
A curried, creamy butternut squash soup made with Thai inspired ingredients like ginger, coconut and lemongrass. This Thai Coconut Butternut Squash Soup then gets topped off with toasted coconut and cilantro for an amazing finish.
Thai Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients:
2 Tbsp coconut oil
1 medium Butternut Squash, Peeled, seeded and chopped
1 medium onion, chopped
6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
3 Tbsp Thai red curry paste
3 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 Tbsp fish sauce
2 stalks fresh lemongrass, cut into 6 inch pieces
4 cups low sodium chicken broth
1 (14oz) can Coconut milk
1 Tbsp lime juice
Toppings:
fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
toasted coconut flakes
red pepper flakes
Directions:
Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
Add squash, onion, garlic, curry paste, ginger, salt, pepper flakes, fish sauce, and lemongrass. Stir to combine and cook until onion starts to soften.
Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the squash is soft, about 15 minutes.
Remove from heat and transfer to Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender, first discarding the lemongrass pieces, to blend on medium speed until smooth.
Transfer back to the pot and stir in coconut milk and lime juice, bringing the pot back to a simmer over medium-low heat.
Serve hot topped with cilantro, coconut flakes and red pepper flakes.
Thai Coconut Butternut Squash Soup
Ingredients
- 2 Tbsp coconut oil
- 1 medium Butternut Squash, Peeled, seeded and chopped
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 6 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
- 3 Tbsp Thai red curry paste
- 3 Tbsp fresh ginger, grated
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp fish sauce
- 2 stalks fresh lemongrass, cut into 6 inch pieces
- 4 cups low sodium chicken broth
- 1 can Coconut milk, 14oz
- 1 Tbsp lime juice
Toppings
- fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
- toasted coconut flakes
- red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat.
- Add squash, onion, garlic, curry paste, ginger, salt, pepper flakes, fish sauce, and lemongrass. Stir to combine and cook until onion starts to soften.
- Add broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until the squash is soft, about 15 minutes.
- Remove from heat and transfer to Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender, first discarding the lemongrass pieces, to blend on medium speed until smooth.
- Transfer back to the pot and stir in coconut milk and lime juice, bringing the pot back to a simmer over medium-low heat.
- Serve hot topped with cilantro, coconut flakes and red pepper flakes.
Nutrition Information:
Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Win it:
One Canadian Frugal Mom eh reader will win their own Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional Blender (ARV $149.97). Giveaway ends on Dec 16th at 11:59 pm EST, open to
Canadian residents 18+ (excluding Quebec). See Giveaway Tools form for entry and T&C.
Disclosure: This post has been brought to you by Sears Canada. All thoughts and opinions are honest and my own.
Elizabeth Lampman is a coffee-fuelled Mom of 2 girls and lives in Hamilton, Ontario. She enjoys travelling, developing easy recipes, crafting, taking on diy projects, travelling and saving money!
I learned that it has a overheat reset button, like that as a safety feature. Looks like a great blender.
I agree.
I learned that it comes with a recipe book.
Happy to learn it has a 1 year warranty!
I like that it has a safety switch and an overheat reset button
I like that it had an overheat reset button and a safety switch. Also that they had 11 different speeds.
I like the 11 speeds and the safety switch
It has a 2 litre capacity! That would be great for my borscht batch!
Based on the look of this I am fairly sure it is a re-branded Vitamix. Good price if it is.
I like that it features a safety switch and an overheat reset button.
The soup sounds so good! Pinned to save and share. Wish the giveaway was open to US residents, too.
I learned that it has eleven speeds for great processing. I sure could use this blender. Sounds wonderful.
Love the safety switch and the 11 speeds. That makes it easy to mix up anything.
I learned that it has a safety switch and an overheat reset button
I learned that it holds 2L, and is $150.
I like that it has a safety switch and an overheat reset button
An overheat reset button? Yeah, that! 🙂
I learned it has a BPA free container.
I like how it has 11 different speeds.
I like the overheat reset button
I learned that the 6 blades are made of stainless steel and are made in Japan!
KenmorePro Blender has stainless steel blazes and 11 different speeds.
I learned that it has a BPA free container.
I learned that it has an overheat reset button
I love the fact that it has safety switch and an overheat reset button for those “forgetful” days.
I like that it hold 2 L and has stainless steel blades.
I learned that the blender has the BPA free container, safety switch, and an overheat reset button.
I learned that it has a 2 l capacity which will be more than enough space for me to make healthy smoothies.
I learned the KenmorePro. has 11 speeds. This would be perfect for my daughter in law.
I like that it has 11 speed settings
Features a safety switch and an overheat reset button. thanks
I learned it has an overheat safety button and 11 speed settings
I like the look of those serrated blades! I’ll bet they could handle just about anything put into the blender.
I like that the KenmorePro has eleven speed settings.
I learned it has 6 stainless steel rotating blades made in Japan.
I learned that it has 11 different speeds.
I love that it has the overheat safety switch!
I learned that it has an awesome 11 speed option! Thanks!
I like that it has Variable speed dial, with your choice of 11 different speeds and that it has a 2L capacity.
I love that it has a 2 liter capacity = lots of soup!! 🙂
I love that there are 11 speeds and not a whole lot of buttons to make things confusing! Just all in one dial. 2L capacity is amazing too!
I like that it Features a safety switch and an overheat reset button
I like that it’s Heavy Duty as I already killed 2 supposedly good blenders.
I like that this blender has 11 different speeds. That’s handy for making all kinds of things!
I learned that this #Kenmore blender has 11 different speeds and that the blades are made in Japan
I learned that it has a safety switch..which is good cause i’m a clutz lol
I learned it has a variable speed dial with 11 different speeds.
I learned that the blender has the BPA free container and it has overheat reset button.
I love coconut in soups. Nicest soup I ever had was a sweet potato and coconut soup. I have to find the recipe and try to make it myself.
That it has a BPA free container.
I like the big jug and the 6 stainless steel rotating blades.
I learned that it has a large jug and an overheat reset button.
I learned that the container is BPA free.
I learned that it is professional quality at a reasonable price
The BPA free container is good.
I learned that it has 6 rotating blades , mine only has 3 so this is pretty cool
like that it has a safety switch and an overheat reset button
I learned about the speed setting for heating up food as it blends is an awesome edition to a blender!
I love the safety features and large capacity. Wonderful for soups, smoothies & crepe batter…
I like that it has 11 different speeds to choose from.
I like that it has a storage system for the cord. I usually wrap cords around appliances to get them out of the way but a storage place is so much easier.
I learnt that it has a 1 year warranty!
I learned that it has 11 speeds.
I learned it has a BPA free container. That’s awesome.
I learned that it has a variable speed dial with eleven different speeds. Wow. And I love the easy clean up too. Amazing blender.
I learned it has 11 speeds and 6 steel blades.
good capacity, 11 speeds, blends well, what’s not to like, would love to make hot sauce with my Habaneroes I’m growing
Ilearned it had 11 different speeds.
I learned that it has 11 speeds.
I learnt that it heats as it blends and can’t over heat.
Nice to know that this blender is comparable to the Vitamix, but without the heavy price tag! We use our blender at least once per day, so we need a good one.
I learned that it should prob be able to do what I NEED it to do!! lol I h ave personally wore out a few blenders in my time. The last one hardly works but I love cream soups so still try to use it (I just can’t see buying a new one til this ones completely dies, I work way to hard for my money to be wasting it)
I make Cheddar broccoli soup at least once a month in the summer and twice a month if not more in the winter time. I often freeze what I make and take it to work for my lunch. I can’t even remember the last time I bought something like canned soup (although I do need to buy a can of cream of mushroom for doing the pork chop thing lol)
When we first got our blender the 1st thing we make was milkshakes lol
anyways the 1 year warranty is great as is the 11 speeds
I learned that it has 11 different speeds and is so reasonably priced!
Love that it heats as it blends and is has 11 speeds
I learned that it has a safety switch and an overheat reset button
I like that the Kenmore blender has 11 speeds and stainless steel blades
and also has a safety switch.This one is awesome!!
I learned it has 6 blades made of stainless steel!
I love that it has an overheat reset button….nothing better than the smell of burning appliances in the morning 😀
Oh I love that it has a 2 litre capacity.
I learned that it holds 2L
It’s powerful!
I love that it has 11 speeds and has an overheat reset button!
I learned that it has 6 stainless steel blades
I learned that it has eleven speeds for great processing every time.
I love that this blender has a 2 L capacity!
Includes a 2L jug, jug lid, lid plug, tamper, and recipe book
I see it has 11 speeds , thats a lot !
I like that it is heavy duty, so will not have a problem blending frozen fruit like my current blender does!
I like that it is heavy duty and has 11 speeds also large.!
I learned about the safety feature of having and overheat reset button.
It has 6 blades,double what my current one has!
Oh boy, this is one amazing blender! I really got excited reading about it. I love that this has a 2L capacity. This means I can make the whole family smoothies in one go vs doing them all individually like I am right now. I also love that this would help me hide veggies in soups, stews and sauces to get the good nutrients my picky eaters need that they avoid like the plague. Thanks so much for the chance to win!
I like that it features 11 different speeds & has cord storage. I’ve heard great things about this blender, for it’s price-point it is one powerful machine!
I love that I can take the speed up to 11, not just 10, but ELEVEN!!!!!
I learned that it has 11 different speeds.
I learned that you can grind spices with the Kenmore Pro Heavy Duty Professional blender.
The cord storage and the strong blades would be nice to have
It has a storage systemfor the Cord! and..has an overheat reset button and a safety switch
I learned it has a variable speed dial, with your choice of 11 different speeds!
Making soups in this would be amazing!
I learned that it comes with a recipe book, which I think is great
I’m needing a new blender. Mine has a plastic hub that is starting to crack. I have a toothless poodle that I rescued and I blend food for him to eat so this would be awesome. I’d also like to start making some healthy smoothies for myself. My current blender doesn’t do a good job of those at and this one looks perfect! What I like is that it is powerful, has a tamper and has a variable speed dial which would allow me to control the texture of what I a m blending. Thanks so much for the review of this blender, your yummy recipe and the opportunity to win this awesome prize!
I learned the blender has rubber feet for stabilizing.
I learned it has safety features like an overheat reset button!
I liked that it features a safety switch and an overheat reset button
I like that you can heat soup in it too, That blew me away. I don’t have any sort of a fancy blender so I don’t know what they’re capable of.
I really like that the blender has 11 speeds! Wow
There are 11 speeds for greater processing.
I like that it comes with a tamper
This blender looks amazing, I like that it has a 2L capacity and has 11 speeds. This would be such a versatile tool to have in my kitchen!
I love that it has a feature that won’t let the blender overheat
11 speeds is quite impressive! This is the blender for me!
11 SPEEDS LOVE TO HAVE THIS UNDER MY X-MAS TREE!!!
I learned that it is great for making soups and sauces with its 11 different speeds.
Great that it has a cord storage system!
I was amazed to read that it comes with 11 different speeds