But this weekend I broke down and bought a Cuisinart Food Processor!! I have the mini one that I like to use to make dips and dressings but the problem with this is it’s just too small. So the 11 cup was on sale and I had a coupon so I couldn’t pass up a great deal.
Today, I am finally getting a chance to play with it. It came with three discs: regular slicing , extra thin slicing and shredding, a chopping blade and the dough blade along with a large feeding tube and two covers, not to mention the how-to video.
I LOVE the slicing blades! No more near misses for my digits while trying to slice potatoes extra thin for baked potatoes chips. I can never get them thin enough or all the same size, this does the job super quick and perfect every time!
Not so crazy about chopping veggies in here, I tried an onion and pepper.
A little to wet and sloppy for me, it just seemed too mushy. I think I will continue to chop veggies by hand unless I am looking for this consistency in a particular recipe.
The main purpose for purchasing this was to make my pesto, granola bars and finally try to make some hummus! No more making things in little batches like I have been doing with the mini! Now I can just through all the ingredients in, press on and I’ll be done in no time! Yay!!!
Since basil doesn’t grow year round here I always try and harvest by November, make a huge batch of pesto then freeze it in an ice cube tray for the winter. It is the perfect portion size for adding to soups or thawing out and spreading on a sandwich, pasta or pizza….I could go on and on!
Simple Basil Pesto
- Basil leaves
- toasted pine nuts
- garlic
- lemon juice
- parmesan cheese
- olive oil
- salt and pepper
Blend all ingredients and add to an ice cube tray (wrap tightly to prevent freezer burn) and store in freezer.
Enjoy fresh basil pesto through the winter…if it lasts that long!
So all in all I am very happy with my purchase, can’t wait to try some hummus, need to find a great recipe! Any suggestions?!
What’s your favorite thing to make in the food processor?
I use my food processor all the time. Love that thing. Love it so much I want a mini one for those times when I am making something and have to use it repeatedly for a few smaller components.
ReplyDeleteI got a new food processor a few years ago and it seriously made everything so much easier! While I like making pesto and dips in it, my favorite use is to make breading for proteins. Sometimes I use stale bread or crackers and other times I use nuts. It is SO great!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your new purchase...I can't wait to see what you cook up with it!
I bought the egg separator from Pampered Chef for my mom a few years ago and she hated it! She said it was much faster and easier to just toss it between the half shells LOL.
ReplyDeleteI don't have a lot of pampered chef toys - I do love their bamboo spoons though.
ReplyDeleteI have the same food processor and love it - I don't use it that often to chop food though - mostly for blending.
Enjoy it!
Kristy - A food processor is a must have. I use mine for EVERYTHING. One of my favorite things to make is homemade hummus. All you need is a drained can of garbanzo beans, garlic, cumin, turmeric, olive oil, and salt and pepper and perfect hummus is yours for the dipping!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your soon to be new favorite kitchen tool!
I have that same one and LOVE it! Perfect for hummus. I also like to make a roasted red pepper feta dip! Makes things so easy! I never use it for chopping vegetables, but the slicing function is wonderful and I recently used the grater for cheese!
ReplyDeleteThis post made me so envious. I want a food processor so badly, almost as much as a kitchen aid mixer. Go crazy with the food processor, make something amazing!
ReplyDeleteI utterly adore my kitchenaid food processor. Glad to hear you have one now! Hmmm, what's my fave thing to make? Homemade nut butters! It's powerful enough to grind my peanuts, almonds, etc. into mushy butter (with a little oil added to help it along).
ReplyDeleteI'd love to get a food processor someday! I'm sure it would open up a lot of options. I love the idea to store sauces like pesto in an ice cube tray so you don't need to defrost it all at once - great tip! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI had the same experience with green peppers in my food processor! They came out too fine and watery and I missed that crunch of a diced green pepper. I LOVE my food processor for some many other things ... it's such a good tool!
ReplyDeleteI love my food processor and sometimes I love my mini one even more. I've made a few hummus creations and some nut butter...ohhhh, and tomato sauce!!!! it was fabbbulous. but i love your idea of freezing pesto cubes.
ReplyDeletelove the recipe for pesto. I have yet to make pesto maybe I should try it. I have always been fearful of it not really sure why.
ReplyDeletexo enjoy your day