How to Use a Food Processor: 7 Food Processor Recipes

A food processor is a kitchen tool that can chop, puree, mix, grate, mince, and shred food items. Home cooks use food processors to prepare dishes, garnishes, sauces, and other prepared foods. The machine is simple, comprising a base that supports a removable container and a lid with a feed tube. The container is often a straight-walled circular bowl, also known as a processor bowl, usually made from food-safe plastic. In the center of the basin is a spinning drive shaft, where you can mount various food processor blades, shredders, and mixing attachments.

A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that’s simple to use. Follow these steps:

1. 1. Attach blades and accessories. The kitchen tool will usually come with a few attachment options, such as a shredding disc, which spins near the top of the processor bowl, which is excellent for shredding cheese or vegetables. Secure the selected blade or attachment to the processor’s spinning drive shaft.
2. 2. Place the food items in the container. Add your food items to the container and secure the lid. Food processors often have a built-in safety feature that prevents the machine from being switched on unless the lid is securely attached to the top of the container.
3. 3. Secure the food bowl onto the base. Ensure the processor bowl is securely attached to the base of the food processor.
4. 4. Power on the food processor. After securing the lid and the bowl, switch on the machine and select a setting. Some food processors have multiple speed settings, others only one speed. Food processors typically have a pulse button that will turn the motor on only as long as the switch is manually activated—this allows you to make quick pulses, giving some control over the processing.
5. 5. Use the feed tube. You can use the feed tube to force food items to the blade while the motor is running. This option can help shred veggies or mix in additional ingredients, like extra Parmesan to a batch of pesto or more olive oil to hummus.

You can use a food processor to chop, puree, mix, grate, mince, and shred food items. Consider the following recipes you can make with the help of a food processor:

1. 1. Hummus: This classic food processor recipe uses cooked chickpeas, olive oil, garlic, and tahini (sesame paste), salt, and other flavorings. Place all the ingredients in the container, secure the lid, and use the standard blade attachment. After a few short minutes, you should have a silky-smooth savory dip ready to serve.
2. 2. Dough: Many food processors come with a dough blade, a smaller, blunt attachment usually made from hard plastic. This is great for making bread dough or pizza dough, as it will do the kneading for you. You can also use the food processor to shred your leftover bread, creating an easy batch of breadcrumbs.
3. 3. Riced cauliflower: Food processors are great for breaking down veggies. A popular choice is cauliflower rice, which is as simple as placing several cauliflower florets into the bowl and using some pulses with the standard blade to chop the florets into tiny pieces.
4. 4. Sliced veggies: In addition to the shredding blade, some food processors also come with a slicing disc, which can rapidly make thin slices of vegetables like carrots, cucumbers, or zucchini.
5. 5. Pie crust: Getting the right consistency and an even mixture of flour and little chunks of butter is essential to making pie dough, biscuits, and other pastries. With a few pulses in the food processor, you can save a lot of valuable prep time in the kitchen.
6. 6. Nut butter: Food processors are great for making a big batch of homemade nut butter or nut milk. Simply add the required ingredients to the food bowl and let the processor run—you’ll be surprised at how quickly your nut butter is reaching its desired consistency.
7. 7. Ground meat: You can use a food processor as a meat grinder. Add your desired cut of meat to the food processor to make ground beef, pork, or lamb to use in burgers or meatballs.

Certain food items can damage the motor and the accessories of a food processor. Avoid putting hard food items into the processor. You should also avoid putting hot foods into a food processor, as the heat can damage the machinery. Be sure to fill the food processor to its max fill line—overfilling the processor can lead to inconsistent results and a kitchen mess.

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