Food Processor
A food processor is a versatile kitchen appliance that can quickly and easily chop, slice, shred, grind, and puree almost any veggie , fruit or food. Some models can also assist the daily home cook in making citrus and vegetable juice, beating cake batter, kneading bread dough, beating egg whites, and grinding meats and vegetables.
It is an essential cooking tool. For instance, you can get rid of microwave and don't miss it at all.Food processors are used frequently, so if you are actually going to invest in one, use it on regular basis as it saves time and money.
Working of a Food Processor
The Basic Components:
Modern food processors come in three basic sizes: 1.full, 2.compact, and 3.mini. No matter what size they are, however, the basic components are the similar: a motor, a bowl with a lid and feed tube, and a set of attachments.
The motor component of the processor is housed in the base of the appliance, and it is the heaviest part of the device. Full-size large machines generally have larger, more powerful motors, and can weigh more than 20 lbs (9 kg). This weight has a particular utilitarian value. The heaviness of the base gives the appliance stability and ensures that it doesn't displace around while the motor is running. Though the first food processor bases were clad only in white, hard plastic, today they are available in a wide ranges of stylish colors and with metal and plastic finishes, ensuring that your appliance will fit in with your kitchen decor.
From the motor, a shaft extends in upward direction to power the attachments. The bowl, which is usually made of durable and transparent quality plastic, fits onto this shaft and locks into position. The lid is usually made of the same material, locks onto the top of the bowl; in many older models it engages the locking mechanism and turns on the motor, but the newer models generally have an on/off switch or button.
The lid has a feed tube fitted along a plunger. You can fill the food into the device through this feed tube, pushing it down with the plunger. Depending upon the size some models have wider and narrower feed tubes for use with larger and smaller food items. The size of the bowl varies according to the size of the machine and usage.
Uses
1.Chopping, shredding, slicing or julienning large quantities of vegetables
2. Making purees: sauces, dips, spreads, hummus, sorbet mix, etc.
3.Making pesto and herb purees
4.Chopping nuts and making nut butters,shredding cheese.
5.Grinding stale bread for breadcrumbs.
6.Making dough.
If you plan to make all of these things on a regular basis, you would probably find a food processor a very useful thing. Food processor are easy to clean and it doesn't require much maintenance. Just the regular wash after use is sufficient.
However, if you are only doing some chopping and pureeing, and in great quantities, you could probably substitute a food processor for a blender just make sure to get one with a chopping attachment.
Food processors can be used to make smoothies, mayonnaise and salad dressings, chopping large quantities of nuts and herbs, and pureeing soups in the pot. You will be able to shred a block of cheese or chop a whole cabbage with this tool though.