Can a Food Processor Save Me Time in the Kitchen?
My food processor can accomplish a wide array of tasks, including slicing, chopping, shredding, mincing, grinding, pureeing, and more in a fraction of the time it takes me to do these jobs by hand.
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For example, using my food processor, I can slice ten potatoes – enough to make a large dish of Skinny Scalloped Potatoes – in less than 5 minutes. If I did this by hand it would take me at least 15 minutes.
In addition, there are some foods/recipes, like these Cranberry Pecan Bars, that just cannot be made without the use of a food processor.
Can I Just Use My Blender Instead of a Food Processor?
While a blender is an extremely useful kitchen tool, it has its hangups. Slicing, chopping, shredding, and mincing doesn’t work so well in a blender. Furthermore, a blender simply cannot handle the thick mixtures that a food processor can puree like a pro.
What Should I Look for in a Food Processor?
Used correctly, the versatile and efficient food processor can save hours in the kitchen. But before you buy, consider these factors to ensure you select the best food processor for your needs.
Size: While it may be tempting to purchase an inexpensive smaller processor, consider that, while smaller models can be used to chop and shred small amounts, they don’t have the capabilities of true food processors. If you want to use your processor to save time cutting vegetables for soup, shredding potatoes for hash browns, mixing ingredients for pie crust, or slicing fresh carrots for stir-fry, you will probably be so disappointed in the smaller model that you’ll end up not using it at all.
Power: Make sure the machine you choose is powerful enough to handle tough jobs. I recommend a minimum of 600 watts. A motor with less power will not process food evenly and will quickly burn out.
Feeding Chute: Look for a food processor with a wide feeding chute so you can easily process large foods like potatoes.
Attachments and Accessories: The attachments and accessories you choose depends on how you plan to use your processor. At minimum I suggest making sure your processor comes with a shredding blade and a slicing blade. (All processors come with the “S” shaped chopping blade.)
Durability: Last, but probably not least, is durability. My Kitchenaid food processor has lasted me years and years and has paid for itself many times over. Unfortunately, the model I own is no longer available. The Breville Food Processors are also known for their durability.
Which Food Processor Should I Buy?
The best food processor for you will depend on your personal needs and likes (see above). Here are the two that I recommend.
– The Breville Sous Chef 16-cup Food Processor is a high quality, versatile, and powerful machine, and I’m guessing you would be as impressed with it as I am.
– The Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor is an excellent machine for the price.
What Does A Food Processor Do?
A good food processors allows you to combine several functions in one appliance. Here are my recipes that use the very helpful food processor.
And here’s what else a good food processor can do:
1. Make bread crumbs
2. Mince herbs
4. Chop olives
6. Shred potatoes or sweet potatoes
7. Make pesto
8. Slice carrots
10. Shred coconut
11. Make hummus
12. Make sorbet
13. Chop cranberries
14. Slice potatoes
16. Mince garlic
17. Make energy bars
18. Make almond flour
19. Chop greens
20. Make pie crust
21. Chop nuts
22. Shred cabbage for coleslaw
23. Slice cucumbers
24. Make smoothies
25. Slice onions
26. Make cookies
27. Slice vegetables for stir-fry
28. Mix batters
29. Puree thick soups
30. Shred zucchini
31. Make veggie burgers (or these Broccoli Burgers)
32. Make bean dip
33. Shred carrots
34. Make jam
And more!
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Great post, now I know what specs to look for! Thank you – you are brilliant!
You are very kind. I’m glad it was helpful!
Thank you for the valuable info. I frequently cube potatoes into small cubes by hand. Arthritis is getting in the way. Do you recommend ine of tje above for thos task?
Hi Dani,
For the average food processor, cubing food is a two-step process. First you run them through the machine to slice them one way and then you run them through again to slice them the other way, but this method doesn’t work very well.
Cuisinart sells a dicing accessory that work with this Cuisinart food processor. With this attachment, you only have to run the vegetables through once and they come out nicely diced. I haven’t personally tried this attachment, but I would love to because I’ve heard it works great.
When I want to dice potatoes, I use my veggie chopper. I really like how it cuts the cubes so perfect and pretty.
I hope this helps.
Jennifer
What veggie chopper for potatoes do you recommend? Thank you.
I use this veggie chopper. I really like it.