Life Before The Food Processor: What Was I Thinking?

You can call me crazy, you can call me what you want — I just recently brought a food processor into my home. Don't get me wrong, I always knew how popular they are, but I just never thought to purchase one myself.

If it weren't for my generous mother, I still may not own a food processor. I was recently visiting my mother while on vacation and mentioned that I wanted a food processor — to my surprise, she gave me hers! At the time I was obviously excited, thrilled and certainly thankful, but it wasn't until I got it home and used it for the first time that I realized the magnitude of this gift.

I eat a lot of salads and as much as I enjoy chopping all of the vegetables, sometimes I'm in a rush and just want them chopped already. The moment I put the cucumber in the processor with the slicing attachment, I about lost it. Before I could blink, the cucumber was so thinly chopped I couldn't believe it!

After I got over the initial shock and aw that is my new Cuisinart Food Processor — I began to imagine all of the wonderfully amazing things I'll be able to whip up at the drop of a hat. You can call me a late bloomer if you want, I'm just happy I finally got aboard this food processor ship — I just wish it hadn't taken me so long!

(Image: Flickr member missy & the universe licensed under Creative Commons)

Comments (19)

I have never totally gotten the hang of cleaning mine, which is why I use it much less than I probably should. Even if you throw it in the dishwasher, it takes a lot of space on the top rack, and the nooks and crannies collect a lot of water and it needs to be dried when it comes out (or put on the drying rack). And handling and cleaning the chopper blade is always a delicate procedure.

Actually *using* it is great, but I'm always reluctant to dirty it up unless I'm going to be doing a lot with it (or if there's no alternative).

@neilw good point. Since I've mostly used it for chopping veggies, I find that just a good rinse with water is good enough to clean it. I'm sure I'll understand better what you mean when I use it for pestos and what not.

Its on my wish list! But it will be a while before that wish is realized.

I just recently got one too. Similar story to yours. My aunt heard that I'd been wanting a food processor and gave me hers. It chopped up my graham crackers into crumbs in a snap.
Cheers!

The one thing I should say I *always* use mine for is pie crusts. Coarse meal in a few seconds! Now if it would only roll it out for me... :)

I'd say a food processor is essential for vegan cooking. I had always been of the opinion that a chef's knife and good cutting board was all I needed in the kitchen- no fancy gadgets. But when I'm making my own food from scratch, from beans or soaked nuts, vegan caesar dressing, pesto, nut cheeses and spreads, bean dips and fillings, vegetable purees, vegan sausages, cutting gluten flour into anything... the processor if essential. I use mine daily. The only trick is to wash it right away. My Kitchen Aid one came with a spatula perfectly fit to all the nooks and crannies in the processor, so cleaning couldn't be easier. Congratulations on your new purchase :)

Somehow I've found space in my small kitchen for three food processors--a mini, a medium and a large. I love them all. The mini is great for chopping garlic and making salad dressings and small amounts of sauces. I use the medium for bean dips, purees, pie crusts--you name it. The big one is great when I'm cooking for larger groups. I wouldn't give any of them up.

I can't imagine life without mine - it gets used at least twice a day. The funny thing is, the reason I originally wanted it was because I really hated chopping onions by hand, yet I somehow never stopped doing them manually. It turned out that peeling the outer skin is the part I hate most, and the fp can't do that.

Every time I use mine, I think the same thing: why did I wait so long? It grates tons of carrots in a flash for cakes, muffins, soups.

I love to grate Parm with it too. I keep part of in the fridge and part in the freezer. It is always ready to use.

I used my food processor three times the other day. It was a pain to clean, but so is chopping onions. It's the best Chanukah gift (that isn't an iPhone) ever.

Adam
lickmyspoon.com

I love mine to make cole slaw. It makes quick and tidy work of the cabbage, carrots, and onions.

Get on eBay or go to the thrift store and find another work bowl and blade set. It doubles the usefulness of the machine.

I have one that I often use for a quick raw gazpacho-type soup, making hummus, or blending regular sugar into superfine sugar for baking, but I have to admit, I've never used the discs that came with it for chopping and slicing. I don't even know how I use them, do I just chuck everything in and turn it on like with the blade attachment or do I have to feed the veg through the blade or something? (Great, now I have to find where I put all the discs LOL).

how timely! We just got one for our wedding and are super stoked to use it!

It had been on my wishlist for a long time and I finally got one as a hand-me-down. I can certainly do without, but my gosh are they ever useful.

we have an old school cuisinart food processor. still works well, but its getting a little dangerous. a new FP will DEFINITELY be on the top of my wish list... though it may be there for a few years. :(

I use my mini far more than my full sized one.

I use my big one most often for making laundry soap.

In case you're wondering, never try chopping crayons in your food processor for kids crafts. It will burn out the motor.

I have one, in a box somewhere. I was very excited when I got it as a gift, put it together, used it once and then I became very intimidated by all the parts and cleaning it. Maybe I need to bring it back out and give it another go..

pie dough! easy!
graham cracker crust - dump out then mix your cheesecake batter right inside with no washing in between! i got to borrow my mom's for a while ... wish i had one of my own :)