How to Master Your Kitchen...


Today is the second installment of how to master your kitchen, a series highlighting some of my favorite, must-have kitchen products and items. As I mentioned last week, having the right tools in your kitchen is like having the right tools at your job. Without those tools, you might have difficulties completing your job or you might not be able to do it all together, same goes with kitchen tools. While there are usually some ways around tools or products, it is just be easier if you use the right tool. 
Go back and read the first installment of this series here.
I am sharing another one of my favorite tools today, a tool that I didn't know that I needed but thank goodness to my mom who insisted I put a food processor on my registry. Prior to being married, I didn't know I needed a food processor and now 2.5 years later, I am really glad I listened to my mom. I use my food processor ALL the time. I am always pulling out my food processor, why, because this is a multi-purpose kitchen tool. Here is a list of 11 ways to use a food processor.
1. puree soups and sauces
2. make salsa, hummus, dips and spreads
3. grind meat (seriously!)
4. grind nuts into pieces
5. make nut butter
6. make pie or pizza dough
7. make homemade mayonnaise
8. grind flour
9. make bread crumbs or graham cracker crusts
10. grind sugar into superfine sugar (I did this for the cobbler recipe I posted yesterday)
11. shred cheese

Have I convinced you yet to pull out your food processor more frequently or run out to purchase yourself one? Didn't eat all of that french bread you had for dinner last night? Let it dry out a few days and check out my post about homemade breadcrumbs before using your food processor.
Food processors come in different sizes from a 3-cup up to an 11-cup. I have a 3-cup processor and it suits my family fine but then again it is just Sean and I. 
For those of who you own a food processor, what do you use it most for? And for those of you considering buying a food processor, what are you most looking forward to using this handy tool for?

25 comments:

Danielle Todd said...

I have the 3 cup processor too, and I use it a lot. It's the perfect size to make small batches of hummus and guacamole.

Kayla Peveler said...

I don't have one at all, however I think we put one on our bridal registry, yay! :)

Lisa said...

I absolutely love food processors! I actually have two :) an 11 cup for the big stuff, and a 1 cup for the small stuff. My husband thought the 1 cup was silly, but we use that thing ALL the time. I most love it for chopping onions (my eyes are super sensitive and I always end up in tears!). I kinda want a 3 cup for the in between stuff but that might be excessive!!
xo
lisa
Floating Along

Jessica said...

I love my food processor!!! I totally recommend getting one to everyone who doesn't have one.

Laura said...

I have a cuisinart food processor and I love it! I do wish it was easier to clean though. I kind of want to get one of the mini ones to keep out on the counter as well.

whit | Black Little Button blog said...

hmmmm this totally makes me want to run to Kohls to get one! :)
-wHiT

Heidi said...

I love my food processor! So glad someone told me to put it on my registry also! I use it all the time for fun stuff like making hummus and even for simple tasks such as chopping an onion. It's so easy to use and I can throw all of it in the dishwasher!

Unknown said...

I love using mine for soups and salsa.

RachieCakes said...

I agree, the food processor is essential! Love mine! Thanks so much for stopping by! Love your blog, and im excited to follow along :)

xo Rach
Rach.E.Cakes – A Life and Style Blog

Sarah said...

Funny I was just using my food processor last night! why? Because the last time I made that recipe, I told my husband I don't know why I didn't use the food processor to grate all that stuff, he said next time you should, and then he wrote it down in the recipe book. I totally would have forgotten too if he hadn't written it down!

Lauren {at} Life.Love.Lauren said...

I got a food processor for my wedding and have yet to use it. Thanks for all the good ideas!

Sarah Alway said...

I have a mini Cuisinart one, but I'm thinking maybe I should get a large one, too...

CALLIE said...

I use my processor every time I cook. It's a definite must!

Darby Hawley said...

OH I need one of these badly!

Heather said...

We use our food processor all the time, too! It's definitely an essential tool!

❤ Meghan said...

i have so many of these! the mini four-cup processor is my favorite! next on my list of blenders/processers to get is the immersion blender. i hear they're a must-have. do you use one?

Unknown said...

I have a food processor, and I totally love it! I use it for so many things...it's definitely a kitchen must-have!

Nicole Shea said...

I love using mine for simple things--like dicing veggies when I'm lazy!!!

McKenna Lou said...

My food processor is one of my absolute favorite kitchen gadgets. I don't know what I would do without it. xx. McKenna Lou
www.lynnandlou.com

aki! said...

I've been avoiding making anything that involves a food processor. I've tried it once in my blender and it was just such a mess because my blender fell apart. Scarred me.

Megan said...

I don't know what I will use it for yet, but we are putting one on our wedding registry for sure! I like multi-purpose kitchen tools so we won't have a lot of clutter.

Rachael {all things beautiful} said...

I need a food processor badly. I have several recipes that I want to try that require one. Just need to do it!

Kate said...

I really only use the food processor at work to make smoothies for H. But I would love to make more things with it. Any kid friendly or easy dinner recipes you recommend?

Kasey Lynne said...

This is one of my most favorite kitchen items too!
It just does so many great things :D

Unknown said...

About a month ago I inherited a food processor from my grandma. It's been sitting in my cupboard since cause I have no idea what to do with it! But now I'm inspired to go look up recipes for it! also, shredding cheese!?! Awesome!!!