I use the Braun hand blender for several purposes - its very functional.
Its really easy to use, it has several attachment, to blend, to puree, to mix. I can puree tomatoes, make a mango milkshake, cut onions and garlic, you name it.
I recommend this appliance. It can serve as a mini-mixer, its easy to store - it even comes with a plastic hanger-kind of thing which you can stick to the wall and hang the appliance right there.