6 Creative Ways to Get the Most Out of Your Food Processor
Ah, the ubiquitous food processor. Chances are, like most of us, you have one that you purchased on a whim a couple of years ago that has only been used once and has now been stuffed in the back of an untouched kitchen cabinet. If you’re one of the few who actually does utilize your food processor, chances are you’ve probably relegated it to only a handful of tasks around the kitchen. In reality, food processors are actually incredibly efficient and powerful tools that can do more than just process vegetables. As a way of paying our respects to the humble processor, we’ll show you 6 creative ways to get the most out of yours today. Read on to find out more!
1. Use More Than That One Blade
Ever noticed that your food processor comes with a variety of blades, but for some reason, they always end up in some random cupboard or drawer in the kitchen? Most of us are happy just using the standard “S” blade in a food processor as truth be told, it can do a pretty decent job at most things. However, neglecting the other blades that come with your machine also means that you miss out on instantly shredded veggies and a whole host of other preparation techniques that your humble food processor is capable of.
Generally, the “S” or chopping blade is ideal for mixing, pureeing, mincing and coarsely chopping ingredients. The reversible slicing/shredding disc is perfect for making homemade coleslaw, shredded cheese and slivers of thin vegetable cuttings in an instant. Depending on what dish you’re preparing, you could use a combination of the two to speed up your preparation and in turn, make your life that much simpler.
2. Healthy Homemade Nut Butter
Sick of spending $20 on a teeny tiny jar of natural Almond, Peanut or Cashew Butter? Well, your food processor is here to save the day and your bank account. Did you know that all you need to do is dry roast nuts in the oven, let them cool and then process them in your trusty food processor for about 10 minutes? Instant homemade nut butter without any preservatives or added oils, all for a fraction of the cost of what you would get at the supermarket. Click here for a great tutorial on making various homemade nut butters.
3. Pie Dough That Doesn’t Shrink!
One of the biggest issues that most home bakers face is the tale of the shrinking pie dough. Making excellent pie dough from scratch isn’t as easy as one would think, but the process is certainly made a lot simpler with your trusty food processor. The main reason for this is because unlike our fingertips that warm ingredients up, the food processor helps keep your pie dough ingredients cold, which makes for beautifully flaky pastry. Oh, it also takes only about a minute or two compared to 10-15 minutes when done manually, so if you’re all about efficient food prep, you’ll want to utilise your food processor more often rather than not!
4. Make Your Own Breadcrumbs
I know what you’re thinking…why make breadcrumbs when you can buy them at the supermarket? Whilst I’m not here to debate the convenience of store-bought crumbs (they’re great), one of the benefits of making your own is that you can control the size of your crumb. On top of that, you can use any type of bread you like and it is also a great way of using up stale bread and reducing food waste. Simply tear your stale bread into pieces and pulse it in your food processor until it reaches your desired texture. You can even freeze breadcrumbs and make your own version of instant breadcrumbs, only fresher, healthier and tastier!
5. Bliss Balls That Don’t Cost A Fortune
Ever seen those bliss balls that they sell at cafes and supermarkets? Chances are, at some point in the recent past, you’ve purchased an overpriced bliss ball that wasn’t even that great to begin with. The solution? Make your own. Making your own bliss balls only requires a handful of ingredients and a food processor. Use a mixture of Dates, Nuts, Superfoods Powders and anything else your dear heart desires to create cheap, easy and personalised bliss balls in all the flavours you fancy!
6. Homemade Curry in A Hurry
Last but not least, stop wasting time on processed, over-priced curry pastes. With the help of your food processor, you’ll be making fresh, tasty and vibrant curries that not only cost a fraction of store-bought versions but also allow you to feel like a Masterchef in your own right. Simply roast and blend a bunch of spices according to what type of curry you’re making and Bob’s your uncle. A great tip is to spray the white part of your blade with nonstick cooking spray to prevent it from turning yellow from spices, such as turmeric.
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So, are you inspired to pull your food processor out and create some amazing dishes this weekend? The humble food processor is one of the most efficient kitchen necessities that any home cook could have in their arsenal, and we hope that this article has inspired you to get processing!