Food processors can be the workhorse of a kitchen performing, and shortening, repetitive, and tiring, chopping, slicing, shredding and pureeing tasks. It is quicker, and easier on the hands, wrists and arms, to push a button and let the food processor do the work. Below are some food processor tips for successfully completing basic chopping and pureeing processing functions.

Chopping Raw Fruits And Vegetables

If you want evenly chopped food, the most important thing is to cut the whole food into more manageable sized pieces. Depending on the size of the processor, try cutting the food into 1 to 3 inch sized pieces. A more even chop will occur when same sized pieces are fed into the appliance. Consult the appropriate food processor instruction manual to determine a recommended amount of food that can be placed into the chute. Lock the cover in place. Press the pulse button one second on, one second off, until the food is coarsely chopped. If more finely chopped results are desired, hold the pulse button and let the machine continuously run. If the processor does not have a pulse button, simply use the chop or process button instead. If necessary, a spatula can be used to scrape and push food down the sides of the work bowl.

Chopping Hard Foods

Hard foods like garlic, onions and non-soft cheeses should be dropped into the processor while the machine is running. Smaller foods like garlic can be dropped in whole. Larger foods, like hard cheese, should be cut into 1 to 3 inch sized pieces, depending on the processor’s size. One caveat; if the cheese is too hard to cut with a knife do not try and process it. Foods that are too hard can damage the unit’s blades.

Pureeing Fruits And Cooked Vegetables

First, depending on the size of the processor, cut the food into 1 to 3 inch sized pieces. This will help result in a smoother and faster puree. Again, consult the appropriate food processor instruction manual to determine a recommended amount of food that can be placed into the chute. Lock the cover in place. First, pulse, or if no pulse button, press on and off, to chop coarsely. Second, press the on or process button continuously until the food is pureed. Two caveats; 1) Cooked potatoes do not puree well. It is better to whip them with beaters. 2) If making soup, when processing the food, do not add any of the liquids, that the vegetables have been cooking in, to the chute or work bowl. Just add the vegetables to be pureed. A small amount of liquid can be added after the vegetables have been pureed and before the vegetable puree is added back into the soup.

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Published 8/7/2011 12:00:00 AM

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