Food processor versus what other method?

[Libbydale]

I've wondered often about a food processor. I am opposed to buying one because I don't
think I would use it enough and because it seems like one more bulky item to store in my
kitchen, but many recipes call for me to use one. Could someone elaborate on their
benefits? Also what method do I use instead for recipes that call for one? For example,
the apple tart recipe in the latest issue of Cooking Light says to mix the dough in a food processor. Without one can I mix by hand instead?

[ewatkins]

This isn't what you want to hear, but I say get the food processor--it doesn't have to be huge. The key to using it is to leave it out on your counter. I hardly ever use a bowl anymore-- I do everything in the processor, whether they tell you to or not! I know people will say you can use a blender, but they are too hard to clean. I haven't owned a blender in years.

[Leslie w]

I agree w/ ewatkins. I thought the same thing you did. I would never use it and it takes up too much space. Turns out I use it all the time and to clean it I just throw it in my dishwasher. I bought a 7 cup Cusinart and it's not too large. I am ready however for the larger model and may splurge in the near future and buy it. I couldn't live without it and so many CL recipes call for one.

[Vanessa]

I agree with the others. I think some appliances should be near. Actually my Kitchen Aid and Cuisinart are on 2 stainless steel tables (covered) but plug and ready to be used.A food processor is good for coleslaw, making breadcrumbs, pie dough,purees, cookies,pesto, I even crush my corn flakes there. Its so convinient and if anything can make life easier I vote for it! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Leslie w]

I forgot to mention what I use it for. I find it makes awesome cookies because it cuts the butter in better than my mixer and because it requires less handleing you have a more tender cookie. It also does a great job on bread dough - kneads it in a min. versus hand or mixer methods which take 10 min. Also great for slicing and shredding cheese and veggies, pureeing soups, making pesto and pate; the possiblilites are endless! Not to mention I'm very careless w/ a knife and have sliced numerous fingers chopping and slicing veggies for things like stir fry and scalloped potatoes!

[makedah]

I'm afraid I'm not much help, either. I bought a food processor last summer, even though I'm poor. I haven't regretted it one bit. I would always HATE to read yummy recipes and get to the part that said: "puree in food processor" D'oh! (I'm starting to feel that way about ice-cream makers, so I will be getting one soon!) Maybe a hand blender might do some of the jobs (pureeing fruit or soup) and a hand mixer might do others (mixing dough), but I wouldn't know how to adjust mixing time for a hand mixer.

My Cuisinart is an 11-cup model, but it doens't take up any more counter space than a toaster or blender. I keep it on the counter and use it on a regular basis. It is great when I'm making soup, stir-fry or anything that requires chopping several vegetables. And it's the best way I know to chop onions.

[This message has been edited by makedah (edited 04-16-2001).]

[Libbydale]

Thanks for all your encouragement to buy one. I just might...some day. Still getting through tax season. Anyway...I baked the apple tart that called for a food processor. I cut up the butter with a knife and then used a handheld pastry blender and it worked fine for me. It was yummy!

[schuh]

Well ... I got a Cuisinart for Christmas a couple of years ago and don't use it very often. I had asked for something to replace the little Black & Decker that I had received as a shower gift. I used the B&D one all the time for shredding cheese, making bread crumbs, etc. The Cuisinart is so much bigger, though, that I don't have a room for it on my counter or in my cupboards. When I need it, I have to pull it out of a closet. As a result, I don't use it much. I think another reason I don't use it very often is that I have a KitchenAid stand mixer on my counter (it was there first and is much heavier to move around) that I use for some things the food processor can do -- doughs, etc. So IMHO if you don't have a good spot for it, you probably won't use it all that often.

[SusanT]

I have the Kitchenaid Ultrapower 11 cup model. It comes with a small bowl and blade that fits inside the larger bowl for smaller jobs. I use it several times a week. It makes jobs like grating, slicing, etc. so much faster and easier. I find myself doing more recipes mid-week that have a lot of chopping and slicing that I wouldn't attempt otherwise. It's also a godsend for making pastry.

I keep mine out on the counter and find that I use it more often because it's handy.

[laughsandlaughs]

I use my blender for things that call for a food processor.

[funnybone]

I love the FP for shredding - such as cheese in a lasagna or pizza; and carrots for a carrot cake. I use it for other things here and there, but nothing beats speed for shredding. I've had mine for about 13 years, and although I don't used it weekly, when I do use it, I am glad to have it.

[beejayw1]

Not sure what I'd do without mine! I make potato pancakes from a recipe that requires grated/shredded fresh potatoes. After years of skinned knuckles and a face sprayed with potato juice, I got a FP. Wonderful thing! (This was over 10 years ago.)

For slicing things uniformly, chopping, mixing, creaming butter and sugar and just about anything other than chopping ice, there's no beating it. And I store mine in a cabinet. Just don't get one of those huge monsters that hog counter space.

Beej

[Curleytop]

I use my Cuisinart for making pie dough!
I use butter instead of shortning or yukky
lard! Turns out great. I used up the rest of my frozen boysenberries (they are blooming again) from the freezer and made a great pie for Easter.

[Laura B]

I love my food processor even though I do not use it all that often. I really wanted to post in defense of the poor blender. I used to think that they were horrible to clean, as well. But (I think I got this tip from this BB) all you have to do is put in a little hot water and soap when you are done and whir it around! Then you just rinse and dry and that is it! I have new found love for my blender because of this. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[JillC]

Another vote for food processors. I have an 11 cup Cuisinart. I don't use it often (probably twice a month) but I sure am glad I have it. I use it most for shredding and slicing. I just made the Carmelized Onion Gorgonzola Lasagna that everyone has been raving about last night. I sure am glad I didn't have to slice 8 cups of onion by hand. I sliced the zucchini and mushrooms in there, too. When I was done, into the dishwasher it went.
I don't have room to store it on the counter, but storing it in a cupboard doesn't keep me from using it at all.
Jill

[Lynn B]

Include me in the Food Processor Fan Club! A definite "must have" IMHO!!!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
Lynn

[clairea]

I'm also a big fan of my 11-cup Cuisinart. I have to keep it in a closet in the hall because I don't have enough counter or cabinet space to keep it in the kitchen, but this doesn't stop me from using it at all. The thing that does make me hesitate sometimes, though, is that I think it is a pain in the neck to clean! Does anybody have any tips? Or is it never going to be as easy as washing a chopping board and chefs knife, but worth the trade off in time saved slicing/chopping?

[SusanMac]

Someone mentioned that the FP is faster than a mixer for making cookies. I haven't used an FP for this before (just got one for Xmas, so I'm a newbie) When do you use FP vs. a mixer? Are they interchangeable? Is the FP interchangeable w/a blender, too?

[Beth]

Clairea, this is one of the jobs my new dishwasher helps with. I can put the work bowl in and have even put the blade in sometimes. There is nothing a food processor will do that people haven't done by some other means for many, many years. It really is a convenience item, and whether you "need" one or not depends or your what you would do with one, how often, what other appliances and tools you have and your time or ability constraints.

I have a KA stand mixer and a Cuisinart after living with a large mixing bowl, a wooden spoon, a whisk, a grater and a pastry blender for nearly all tasks. I once took pleasure in the old-fashioned tools, but as life gets busier, those convenience items become more important for me. And there always seem to be somethings that you avoid doing because of the time or effort involved. The appliances help there too. When we get to redoing our kitchen, I am thinking of creating a baking center where I can keep the mixer and processor out for easier use. Meanwhile, you'll know when you really need a new appliance, just listen.

[Leslie w]

Susan, I love to use my Cusinart FP for making cookies because I can cut the butter in without having to bring it to room temp. like I do when I use my KitchenAid mixer. My Cusinart is only a 7 cup so it only makes small batches of cookie dough but I'm going to buy the larger model in the next couple of months. Now my dilemma is whether to get the KitchenAid or the Cusinart 11 cup model. I've heard so many good things about both. Anyway, if you use the food processor for cookies just be careful not to over process the dough. You don't want a tough cookie.