A Food Processor Is An Invaluable Kitchen Tool

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.

Processors dice and chop onions so that your hands will not smell when you are done. You might only have to cut the onion in half and remove the skin then just put it down the chute and the processor will do the rest. Grating mozzarella or Parmesan cheese is just as easy when using the shredding blade.

It is possible to make your own baby food in a processor and then you will know everything is fresh and safe for your baby. Puree some onions, tomatoes, garlic and peppers in the processor. Pour the combination into a pan and add some herbs and sugar and you are making homemade spaghetti sauce. You can make sauce much healthier for your family.

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.

One of the best things about using a processor is that the clean up is quick and easy. You can place blades, bowl, and lid into the dishwasher and let them go. You will have to hand wipe the unit down as the motor cannot be immersed in water.

Expensive food processors will chop more ways and do more things that the cheaper ones. They will do almost anything for you and have the horse power to do it. A medium priced machine is probably good for the regular household. The small types do not have much room to make much of anything and they do not have the power to create family recipes. They are good for chopping an onion or maybe some herbs. If you have a family it is better to get one that has a bit more strength and capacity.

A lot of people opt for a Cuisinart food processor because it’s a well known brand, but there are several other options. Take a look at thebestfoodprocessor.com to get an idea of what’s out there.