Chopping, dicing, and blending food has never been easier than it is with food processors. There are even those that have the horsepower to mix up baking ingredients or knead bread dough. Processors come in several different sizes and most will hold about 2 to 14 cups of chopped food.
Food Processors save a lot of time in the kitchen because they will chop in much less time that you can do it manually. Most processors have different blades and can dice, slice, and chop. They have a clear bowl made of plastic that snaps into a platform. There is a plastic lid that snaps on to the bowl that has a chute where the food can be introduced to the processor. Inside the bowl is a rod where the blades are attached.
Larger units come with several blades. One or more will look like a big circle and this will be the one you use when grating, slicing, or shredding. The discs connect to the rod inside the bowl and sit at the very top of the bowl near the lid and the food falls under the disc when it is cut. There is the chopping blade which has two blades coming from each side of a plastic tube that fits over the rod and sits on the bottom of the processor. Some of the more expensive models carry a French fry disc, a julienne disc, whisk or egg whip, dough blade, and juicer.
If you hate to get the smell of onions on your hands a processor will help. Just remove the skin and cut in half then feed it down the chute and the dicing will be done for you. You can also grate cheese in a snap by just feeding it into the machine and using a shredding blade. You will be able to purchase the cheaper whole Parmesan or mozzarella and shred it with ease by yourself.
Make baby food in a processor and be sure you know all the ingredients that are going into the mouth of your child. Put some onions, garlic, tomatoes and peppers in and puree. Place the combination in a pan and heat it up adding a few other herbs and some sugar and you have spaghetti sauce. Instead of going to the grocery store and getting sauce and many other things you can make them yourself and be sure of the ingredients that are going into them.
Most processors have only one speed unlike a blender. The newer models might have two. Processors are very safe to use because the motor will not turn on unless the lid is snapped into place on the bowl. After the food is processes you have to take the blade out to get to the food, but there is little chance you can be cut. The lid will be off and the blades cannot move.
Processors clean up fast and without any extra scrubbing. Rinse the bowl out and rinse of the blade and put them with the lid into the dishwasher. Wipe down the rest of the machine with a damp cloth. You cannot put the motor in water.
Food processors come in many prices and do not skimp or you will have a wimpy one that will not mix much of anything. The large capacity expensive machines do everything but it is rare that you will use all the features unless you run a restaurant. The mid price ones do just fine for home use. The mini ones can only be used to chop small qualities and not much of it. If you are cooking for a family of more than 3 it is advisable to get a processor with a little more substance that will do more for you and save more time in the kitchen.
Many people buy a Cuisinart food processor since it’s a well known brand, but other brands like Viking, Braun, and Hamilton Beach all make quality products, too. Head over to thebestfoodprocessor.com before you make your final decision.