Product Review: Magic Bullet

Intrigued by yet another 'As Seen on TV' spot for the Magic Bullet, I buckled down and bought one about a month ago. The Magic Bullet touts itself as the 'personal, versatile countertop magician that does any job in 10 seconds or less.' To find out what the magic is all about, I took a chance and got to work on making my first Magic Bullet smoothie.

Using a simple combination of strawberries, yogurt, and bananas, I really was able to create a delicious and satisfying smoothie in under 15 seconds. The smoothie was evenly blended, and the ice perfectly crushed. No hassles for chopping, no ice cubes to worry about, and certainly no mess or even electricity. The Magic Bullet really does deliver on speed, as a variety of recipes and ingredients can be used to create a smorgasbord of blender-based food items. Think of fresh egg salads, chopped vegetables for a salad, and even frozen drinks; the Magic Bullet quickly and efficiently crushes ice in the blink of an eye.

The Magic Bullet is small and portable, and is a great addition, if not replacement, for your standard blender. Although it likely will not hold together for any long-winded blending, it fares well for single and two-serving drinks and foods. The unique "Cyclonic Cutting Zone Process" trademarked by the Magic Bullet, enables a high force and speed to cut through many food items. There are no electrical outlets to play around with, and the bullet cups provided with the kit enable an easy pour and very easy cleanup.

A trial for homemade salsa also proved to be very successful; my blend of seasonal tomatoes, onions, and spices came together in a perfect medley in under 20 seconds. There's nothing like fresh salsa with homemade tortilla chips, and the ease and speed of throwing this snack item together was fantastic. Other party dips and sauces made with a a tomato or yogurt base also ensured that the Magic Bullet created an effortless mix and no-hassle cleanup. I was impressed by the variety of food types it can handle; frozen drinks were another great choice, and very easy to pour.

Since chopping and mincing come naturally to the Magic Bullet, it takes on a 'pulsing' action that is turned on by a simple turn of the top of the bullet. Adding a little pressure to the cup portion enables the pulsing technique, which is similar to a very low setting on a blender. The cap portion screws off quickly and easily, and can be served immediately.

The recipe book offers ideas such as Alfredo sauce, cheesecake, and bean dip. Simply toss all the ingredients in a specific order (to avoid a Magic Bullet 'jam'), and blend away. Each mixing process takes between 10-15 seconds; this doesn't even come close to comparison of a full-size blender!

The convenience, efficiency, and high quality of the Magic Bullet make it a great addition to any kitchen. Since it is so multi-functional and easy to clean, the Magic Bullet provides convenience and a is a great cost investment. Don't be deterred by the 'As Seen on TV' label; this product is also available in many stores and online directly from the website. At a standard price of $40-$60, the full kit comes complete with additional add-ons such as a set of resealable lids, a juice extractor kit, party cups with lids (for those frozen drinks/smoothies), and a recipe book with some helpful ideas.