So you’re not Bob Vila when it comes to using a power drill.  So what?  Show that power drill who’s boss…in the kitchen. That’s right, your power drill can be quite handy when cooking.  It may sound weird, but power drills can be the perfect kitchen utensils when it comes to giving ingredients a thorough mix, especially when you are mixing large quantities.  Electric mixers may burn out over time if you use them repeatedly in your cooking, especially when cooking large batches or mixing hard substances like cold butter.  But most power drills are designed to withstand heavy-duty, repeated use, so repeated mixing isn’t a problem for them like it would be with less powerful kitchen equipment. Plus, you get the added versatility of having a multi-functional tool: you can use a power drill for home repairs and projects, and as a mixer in recipes.  Your electric mixer certainly can’t do that. Just remember to clean your drill thoroughly before and after you use it in the kitchen so it’s clean enough to use when cooking and ready when you need it for repairs or other projects.  Wondering what you can use your power drill to mix? Here are some simple recipes that are easy to make with a handy power drill.

 
Cream Cheese Frosting
*Benefit of using a power drill: With an electric mixer, you typically have to wait until the cream cheese is at room temperature before it’s soft enough to mix into frosting. Mixing with a power drill enables you to mix cold cream cheese right out of the refrigerator.

Ingredients:

• 1 8-ounce package of cream cheese (can be cold or room temperature)

• 1 teaspoon of milk
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 2-1/2 cups of powdered sugar

Directions:

• Attach a metal beater you would normally use with an electric mixer to the head of your power drill.  Place the cream cheese in a large bowl and mix with the power drill.  If the drill has multiple speed settings, start at the lowest setting and increase to a speed you are comfortable working with. Mix until the cream cheese is very smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl when necessary. Continue mixing for up to 2 minutes.  
• Add the milk and vanilla extract, and mix for 30 seconds.
• Slowly add the sugar, about a ½-cup at a time, until you have mixed in all of the sugar and the consistency is smooth, about 2 minutes.  
• Spread frosting on your favorite cupcakes or cake.

Potato Soup
*Benefit of using a power drill: It’s difficult to attain a thick, smooth soup texture without using an immersion hand blender when making soup, and unless you make soup all the time, it may not be worthwhile to purchase one just for that purpose.  You can use your power drill to achieve that silky soup texture without having to buy a new kitchen appliance.

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 pounds of potatoes, peeled
• 3 cups of milk
• 3 cups of chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon of salt
• 1 tablespoon of pepper
• 1 tablespoon of dried parsley
• 1 teaspoon of garlic powder
• 3 tablespoons of butter
• 1 tablespoon of flour

Directions:

• Dice the potatoes into small chunks, about 1/2-inch thick, and boil in a pot of water until soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Drain when the potatoes are finished cooking.
• In a heavy large pot, melt the butter over low heat.  Stir in flour and cook until it bubbles.  
• Slowly add the milk and stir with a whisk, turning up the heat to medium. Let it cook for 1 to 2 minutes, mixing occasionally.  
• Slowly add chicken stock and stir.  Let it cook for 2 to 3 minutes, mixing occasionally.
• Add the cooked potatoes to the broth.  Attach a metal beater to the head of the power drill and mix the potatoes into the soup, allowing some of the potatoes to mash and thicken the broth. Mix for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the soup reaches your desired thickness, with some potato chunks remaining.  
• Mix in salt, pepper, garlic powder and dried parsley with a wooden spoon.  Let soup cook for about 10 more minutes, stirring occasionally.

Honey Mustard Vinaigrette
*Benefit of using a power drill: Vinaigrettes can be whisked by hand, but getting the oil and vinegar to emulisfy completely can take a couple minutes.  Using a power drill guarantees that the vinaigrette is well mixed in half the time.  

Ingredients:

• ½ cup of olive oil
• ¼ cup of honey
• ¼ cup of Dijon mustard
• 3 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons of water
• ½ teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of pepper

Directions:

• Attach a metal beater to the head of your power drill. Pour all the ingredients in a deep bowl and mix with the power drill for about 30 seconds, starting on the lowest speed setting, until all the ingredients have emulsified and are well mixed.  
• Serve on top of salad or as a dipping sauce.

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