Blending and pureeing are both methods of breaking down food into a smooth, liquid consistency. The main difference between the two is that blending leaves some larger pieces of food intact, while pureeing breaks down food until it is completely smooth.
Blending is typically done with a hand-held blender or immersion blender. It is a quick way to break down soft fruits and vegetables, or to make soups and sauces thicker. When blending, you can control how much texture you leave in the final product by pulsing the blender or running it for different lengths of time.
Pureeing takes longer than blending because it requires breaking down the food into an even smoother consistency. This can be done with a regular blender, food processor, or even a mortar and pestle. Pureed foods have no large pieces remaining – they are completely smooth. Purees are often used as baby food because they are easy to digest and have no choking hazards. They can also be used to make creamier soups and sauces, or to thicken pie fillings or other desserts.