Food processors are used to chop food items to make them conform to the recipes in which the food is included. Some of the higher end models will also knead dough and are strong enough to combine ingredients for baking. They come in small and large sizes and will accommodate 3 to 14 cups.
A processor will save you loads of time when making dinner because it does not take as much time to chop food as it does with your knives. Many brands have assorted blades that will allow you to do many different culinary cuts. They have a round bowl made of see through plastic that attaches to a base where the motor is. A plastic lid fits onto the bowl and this lid usually has a feeder where you insert the food. There is a shaft inside the bowl where you fasten the blades.
Professional use processors have a variety of different types of blades. There are the disc blades that look like a big circle that fits right under the lid of the bowl. This disc will grate, slice or shred. Place the food down the chute and the blade cuts and allows it to fall into the bowl underneath. They can have a whisk, dough blade, French fry cutter, julienne disc or a juicer. The other important blade is the one that has a shaft in the center that fits into the shaft in the bowl and has two blades that emerge from each side. This blade is situated at the bottom of the unit and chops, blends and purees.
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.
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 only have one speed but some of the better brands do have more. Processors are safe to use because the blade will not spin unless you have the lid securely snapped onto the bowl and then your fingers cannot get in the way. If it is not placed on correctly the blades do not move. There will be no finger cuts using a machine. After everything has been chopped up you must remove the blade to get to the food. But, you do not have to worry about being injured because the lid is now off and the motor will not run.
Clean up is very easy when using a processor. No more cutting boards to sanitize either. Just place the bowl with the lid and the blades into the dishwasher after giving them a quick rinse. You will have to clean off the base because the motor will not be able to be submerged into 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.
Choosing the best food processor for your kitchen can be a real chore, but it doesn’t have to be. If you’re unsure of what to buy, it’s hard to go wrong with a Kitchenaid food processor.
