Food processors are used to chop food items to make them conform to the recipes in which the food is included. Some of the higher end models will also knead dough and are strong enough to combine ingredients for baking. They come in small and large sizes and will accommodate 3 to 14 cups.

A processor will save you loads of time when making dinner because it does not take as much time to chop food as it does with your knives. Many brands have assorted blades that will allow you to do many different culinary cuts. They have a round bowl made of see through plastic that attaches to a base where the motor is. A plastic lid fits onto the bowl and this lid usually has a feeder where you insert the food. There is a shaft inside the bowl where you fasten the blades.

Larger units come with several blades. One or more will look like a big circle and this will be the one you use when grating, slicing, or shredding. The discs connect to the rod inside the bowl and sit at the very top of the bowl near the lid and the food falls under the disc when it is cut. There is the chopping blade which has two blades coming from each side of a plastic tube that fits over the rod and sits on the bottom of the processor. Some of the more expensive models carry a French fry disc, a julienne disc, whisk or egg whip, dough blade, and juicer.

Processors dice and chop onions so that your hands will not smell when you are done. You might only have to cut the onion in half and remove the skin then just put it down the chute and the processor will do the rest. Grating mozzarella or Parmesan cheese is just as easy when using the shredding blade.

It is possible to make your own baby food in a processor and then you will know everything is fresh and safe for your baby. Puree some onions, tomatoes, garlic and peppers in the processor. Pour the combination into a pan and add some herbs and sugar and you are making homemade spaghetti sauce. You can make sauce much healthier for your family.

There is only one speed for most food processors although the newer and more expensive models may have more. A safety feature built into most brands is the fact that it will not turn on unless the lid is on securely. If you do not snap it into place the blades will not move. This will prevent you or anyone else from getting cut. Once the food is chopped you must remove the blade before you can remove the food. There is little chance you will be injured by removing the blade because it will not move once the lid is off.

One of the best things about using a processor is that the clean up is quick and easy. You can place blades, bowl, and lid into the dishwasher and let them go. You will have to hand wipe the unit down as the motor cannot be immersed in water.

Food processors come in many prices and do not skimp or you will have a wimpy one that will not mix much of anything. The large capacity expensive machines do everything but it is rare that you will use all the features unless you run a restaurant. The mid price ones do just fine for home use. The mini ones can only be used to chop small qualities and not much of it. If you are cooking for a family of more than 3 it is advisable to get a processor with a little more substance that will do more for you and save more time in the kitchen.

A lot of people opt for a Cuisinart food processor because it's a well known brand, but there are several other options. The best food processor is the one that meets your specific preferences, so make sure you're buying what you need and not just what's popular.

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