A food processor is an efficient kitchen appliance designed to facilitate repetitive kitchen tasks during the cooking of food. Today, the word more often refers to an automatic-motor driven appliance, while in earlier times there were some manual-operated ones also called ‘food processors’. The basic structure is a rotating blade, with a rotating handle for control.
The different shapes of the blades come in different sizes and are classified according to their purpose. There are some types of food procesors that operate using two separate rotators and can be controlled by a single switch. There are also types that need to have multiple rotators in order to provide more control, such as rice mills. They also differ in size and shape.
These are simple designs but they do their work well, making chopping, grinding, sifting, peeling, mixing and boiling tasks easy and fast. Most of them are designed to produce consistent results with every use. There are those that operate with the push of a button. Some of these may have to be connected to a timer to ensure consistency. Others are very sensitive and may require a sensor-activated switch for safety purposes.
Good food processors should also be compact and lightweight, so that it is easy to transport. It should also be easy to operate. For example, some of the smaller models are used by professional cooks, so the controls must be easy to use. It should also be made of high quality materials such as stainless steel, cast iron, glass or plastic. The blades, bowls and the overall design should be durable enough to withstand heavy use.
Today there are many different brands available. Most are expensive but some are affordable and can be found at local supermarkets and department stores. Some are operated manually and are powered by batteries.
There are also electronic versions. There are also ones that are battery operated, but require a cord or an electrical outlet for charging.
It is very important to understand the difference between the different types of processors before you buy one. Since it is essential to choose the right one, you should consider various factors such as price, size, power consumption, functions and warranty and features. You should also decide what type will suit your cooking needs and lifestyle.
In choosing the right food processor, you should remember that quality is the most important factor. You should choose a model that gives good performance, easy to use and that will last for a long time. The most important thing is to have a safe and reliable product that meets all your needs and requirements.
It would be a good idea to check your current processor. Compare their prices, their features and their performance records, to see which one will work best for your needs.
The Internet is a good source to find different types of procesors. You can compare and contrast the features and functions of different models. They can help you in making a final decision.
While buying your procesors, keep in mind that you should buy a quality one. If you have a lot of money to spend, you can choose a model that has extra features and functions.
You can also purchase your processors from online stores. These stores offer variety and you can find one within your budget.
You should also consider your cooking needs when selecting the right procesor for you. If you only need one proceor for simple cooking jobs, you can opt for a less expensive model.
If you are looking for something to cook more complicated recipes, you may need to buy a two-piece procesor. For professional chefs, it is recommended that they buy a full-functioning and user-friendly model.
Before you buy your processor, consider the options available on the market today. You can easily compare them and select the best one that will fit your cooking needs and lifestyle.
Summer is coming and so is the hot weather. Nobody likes to cook in the heat of summer. A really hot meal on a hot day is almost as unpopular. It could be that a cool, easy to prepare summer soup is just what you need.
Below are 3 recipes for soups that can be made in your food processor or blender. If you have the ingredients on hand, none of them take more than 10 minutes to make. They are all delicious, nutritious, and really refreshing on a hot day. While the recipes all suggest you use a food processor, you can get very good results by using a blender or hand blender too.
These are all very simple recipes, so don’t be shy to modify them and get a taste that your whole family can enjoy.
Here are the recipes.
Summer Vegetarian soup
This is great tasting soup with a touch of Italy included. It is super easy to make and very healthy. It is particularly good on a hot summer day
an avocado – skin and pit removed of course
4 Roma tomatoes – they may not be quite juicy enough (see below)
Basil to taste (Thai basil is really good in this)
4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
Process
How easy is this soup? Simply throw everything into your food processor and mix until it is smooth. If you find that it is more like a smoothie than soup, simply add more liquid (or swap one of the Roma tomatoes for another more juicy variety). Pour into bowls, garnish as you wish (minced chives are nice) and enjoy.
Sensational Salsa & Black Bean
This soup is a very simple soup that takes just a few minutes to prepare. It can be served hot or cold, but always benefits from being heated.
Roughly 4 servings
INGREDIENTS:
2 normal sized cans of black beans (any brand is OK, but try for low salt)
1 1/2 cups soup stock (Just use chicken, beef, or vegetable bullion)
1 cup of your favorite salsa (chunky makes a heartier soup)
1 teaspoon cumin (best to use fresh ground in the soup and you can sprinkle seeds on top too)
1/4 cup of sour cream
1-2 green onions chopped fine
Process:
Put the beans, salsa, cumin, and soup stock into a food processor (a blender is OK too). Puree the mixture until it is creamy in texture. Pour the mixture into a mid-sized pot and heat on low-medium until it is completely hot. This allows the flavours to merge. If you are going to serve it cold, move it to the fridge to cool off till it is time to eat. To eat it hot, simply serve into bowls and garnish with the onions and some of the sour cream.
MANGO SOUP
Mangos are simply divine. They are great as a fruit, mixed into drinks, added to salads. They also make a really good cool summer soup which is explained below.
Ingredients:
1 large RIPE mango (it will be soft, no squishy, to touch)
2 cups chicken soup stock (make your own or use bullion if you must)
1 TBSP lemon grass (available in most Asian markets, it looks like long greenish reeds when you buy it)
1 TBSP ginger – Freshly chopped is best
Ground chili peppers to taste
1 cup yogurt (2% plain is best)
2 TBSP cilantro (chinese parsley) chopped fine
Process:
Chop mango and put in food processor. Mix briefly and then put in the ginger, lemon grass, chili and 1/2 cup of soup stock. Mix again till everything becomes very smooth. Move the soup into another bowl (be sure it is large enough) and mix in first the rest of the stock, and then the yogurt. This is best served cold, so put in fridge till you are ready to eat. Then put into bowls and serve with the cilantro as the garnish.
As the temperature starts to go up give these soups a try. They are all very simple and will add a new delicious and healthy dimension to your summer diet.