How do you blend in a food processor?

A food processor is an incredibly useful kitchen appliance that can help you prepare meals and snacks much faster. With its powerful blade and bowl, a food processor can chop, mix, shred, knead, and puree ingredients in just seconds. Once you know the basics of using a food processor, you’ll find yourself turning to it again and again to streamline food prep.

Choosing a Food Processor

When shopping for a food processor, consider the following features:

• Blade size – Larger blades can handle more ingredients at once.
• Feed tube size – A larger feed tube means less need to pre-cut ingredients.
• Bowl capacity – Bigger bowls allow you to process larger batches.
• Motor power – More watts means more chopping and mixing power.
• Controls – Simple, clearly marked buttons are best.
• Attachments – Some models come with handy disks, blades, and other attachments.

Also think about your main uses for the appliance. If you’ll mostly be chopping vegetables, a basic model with an S-shaped blade will suffice. For bread dough and other heavy mixes, look for higher wattage and a dough blade.

Preparing to Use a Food Processor

Before you start throwing ingredients into the bowl, take a few moments to set up:

1. Read the instruction manual thoroughly.
2. Wash and dry the bowl, lid, blade, and any other parts.
3. Place the base on a clean, dry, level surface near an outlet.
4. Check that the bowl and blade are securely locked into place.
5. Plug in the machine.

It’s also important to prepare your ingredients:

• Wash and dry produce.
• Cut large pieces to fit the feed tube.
• Remove hard stems, cores, and pits.
• Make sure meat and seafood is very cold.
• Cut cheese and chocolate into 1-inch cubes.

Chopping with a Food Processor

Chopping is one of the most common uses for a food processor. Here are some tips for success:

• Cut ingredients into even, bite-sized pieces before adding to the bowl.
• Fill the bowl no more than 2/3 full for best results.
• Pulse in short bursts rather than running the machine continuously.
• Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
• Avoid overprocessing – watch carefully to get the texture you want.

Try chopping these ingredients in a food processor:

• Vegetables – onions, carrots, peppers, broccoli, cauliflower
• Herbs – parsley, cilantro, basil
• Nuts – almonds, walnuts, pecans
• Chocolate or candy – for baking or mix-ins

Pureeing with a Food Processor

Pureeing makes perfectly smooth sauces, dips, and more. Follow these guidelines:

1. Cut ingredients into small pieces before adding to the bowl.
2. Add liquid gradually while pureeing to reach the desired consistency.
3. Scrape down the sides as needed.
4. Strain the mixture if you want an extra smooth texture.

Try pureeing these foods:

• Cooked vegetables – cauliflower, squash, sweet potatoes
• Fresh or cooked fruits – apples, mangoes, berries
• Beans and legumes
• Tomatoes or tomato sauce
• Baby food

Mixing Batters and Doughs

A food processor can quickly mix together healthy baked goods. Here are some mixing tips:

• Use the plastic dough blade for kneading dough.
• Add dry and wet ingredients alternately.
• Pulse first, then process continuously to form a ball.
• Divide dough into portions before removing from the bowl.
• Avoid overmixing – only mix until combined.

You can successfully mix these in a food processor:

• Cookie dough
• Muffins and quick breads
• Pie crusts
• Pizza dough

Grating and Shredding

Grating disks make short work of shredding cheese, vegetables, chocolate, and more. Follow these tips:

• Use firm, chilled ingredients for the best texture.
• Cut into pieces that will fit into the feed tube.
• Apply even, gentle pressure when feeding ingredients.
• Shake grated ingredients through the disk holes to prevent clogging.

Ingredients that work well for grating and shredding:

Cheese	Fruits and Vegetables	Other
Cheddar	Carrots	Chocolate
Parmesan	Cabbage	Nuts
Mozzarella	Onions	Breadcrumbs

Slicing and Cutting

The slicing and cutting disk attachments allow you to prep ingredients in a flash. Keep these tips in mind:

• Always use the food pusher to apply even pressure.
• Let the machine do the work – don’t force the ingredients.
• Watch carefully to avoid shredding delicate ingredients.
• Frequently remove slices so they don’t clump together.

You can neatly and uniformly slice these ingredients:

• Vegetables – potatoes, cucumbers, zucchini
• Fruits – apples, pears, strawberries
• Cheese

And cut these into perfect cubes or crinkle-cut fries:

• Potatoes
• Carrots
• Peppers
• Onions

Cleanup and Storage

Caring properly for your food processor will keep it in good shape. Follow these tips:

1. Unplug before cleaning.
2. Wipe the base and touchpad with a damp cloth.
3. Do not immerse the base, cord, or plug in water.
4. Remove the blade and wash by hand or in the dishwasher.
5. Disassemble and wash all other parts.
6. Dry thoroughly before reassembling.
7. Store the food processor with the blade removed.

Troubleshooting Issues

If you run into problems with your food processor, check the following:

• The bowl and blade are properly locked into the base.
• The lid is securely fastened.
• You are pulsing, not continuously running, when chopping.
• The maximum fill line is not exceeded.
• Ingredients are cut into even, bite-size pieces.
• The blades and disks are sharp and free of nicks.

Tips for Success

Follow these best practices when using your food processor:

• Read the manual and review safety guidelines.
• Start with dry ingredients when mixing a batter.
• Pulse rather than continuously run for better chopping.
• Don’t overfill the bowl.
• Prep ingredients to the right size before processing.
• Frequently scrape down the sides of the bowl.
• Immediately clean after each use.

Conclusion

With a little practice and some trial and error, you’ll discover just how indispensable a food processor can be. This powerful appliance will streamline so many kitchen tasks, saving you tons of time and effort. From chopping vegetables to shredding cheese to mixing dough, the possibilities are endless. Follow these tips and techniques, and you’ll quickly get the hang of blending up delicious foods with ease in your food processor.