Food processors chop and dice food that you would normally have to do by hand. There are many different sizes of processors and some that will even mix up a New York Cheese cake batter or knead the dough for bread. Some have a capacity of 2 cups and some will go all the way up to 14 cups.
A good processor will save you a great deal of time when preparing meals and your fingers will be much safer. There are different blades from which to choose that will do a variety of cuts. Processors have a plastic bowl that is clear and this bowl connects to the base over the motor with a twist or snap. Inside the bowl is a shaft on which you place the various blades. Then there is the lid that usually twists and snaps into place over the bowl. This lid has a hole in the top with a chute attached which allows you to place food in the processor while it is running and it will not spurt all over the room.
Some of the large and more expensive units have various blades. Several may look like a large disc and will allow you to slice and shred. The disc attaches to the shaft and are situated up near the lid. As the food is cut it falls through to the bowl below. The blade that chops has a central shaft that connects to the shaft into the bowl at the bottom and has two sharp blades on each side. Several brands have julienne discs, whisks and egg whips, French fry discs, dough mixers, and juicers.
It is a luxury to have a processor that will dice onions without getting the scent all over your hands. You only have to quickly take the skin off and maybe cut the onion once in half and the processor does everything else. To grate Parmesan or mozzarella you just place the shredding disc on and feed the cheese down the feeder.
Baby food is easily made in a processor and if you make it you know exactly what you are feeding your baby. To make an easy spaghetti sauce just put garlic, onions, some green pepper, and tomatoes down the chute then pour it into a pan to cook. You will be able to produce much healthier meals for your family because you will use all fresh ingredients and make it yourself.
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 Kitchenaid food processor because it’s a well known brand, but a little research will give you a wider range of choices. Head over to thebestfoodprocessor.com to get an idea of what’s out there.
