However one kitchen equipment that passes all of those checks: the mini meals processor.
Additionally known as mini choppers, these kitchen devices have a capability between 1 and 5 cups (although you’ll in all probability desire a bowl that may maintain no less than 3 cups for versatility’s sake). The most effective fashions allow you to management the velocity and/or path of the blade (the latter dictates whether or not the sharp or blunt edge is used to cut or grind the elements, respectively), and a few are even cordless, so that you aren’t tethered to an outlet. (After all, you then have to fret about whether or not it’s charged earlier than utilizing.)
Like its huge sibling, a mini meals processor can chop and puree all types of elements to make recipe prep simpler with out having to fret about your knife abilities, however its dimension makes it significantly nice for kitchens tight on storage or cooks who usually solely feed just a few folks. In some cases, comparable to once I’m making a chimichurri or pico de gallo, I all the time attain for my mini meals processor first. Whilst you may definitely do the identical in a bigger model, it feels inefficient to drag out a full-size machine for a recipe that yields a meager 1 or 2 cups. (One be aware of warning is that some product testers say you run the danger of burning out the motor of mini choppers when making nut butters — although I’ve finished so just a few instances with out situation.)
Dimensions apart, one other main distinction is the simplicity in building due to the shortage of a feed tube. This chute on bigger fashions is used so as to add elements whereas the equipment is operating, usually to be shredded or sliced with separate equipment that these mini variations lack. Perhaps it’s an ignorance is bliss state of affairs from by no means having had a full-size meals processor till not too long ago, however the mini model’s lack of ability to shred or slice by no means triggered me any misery. Actually, it introduced pleasure as minimal components means fewer issues to scrub, which is one thing I all the time try for. And whereas including elements because the motor is operating is crucial for sure recipes, some fashions — comparable to these from Cuisinart and KitchenAid — have a gap within the lid that lets you stream in liquids so you may nonetheless emulsify the entire mayonnaise and salad dressing your coronary heart wishes.
Just a few extra issues this gadget can do, on a smaller scale: chop nuts; make pesto; whip up a quick guacamole or salsa; and blend a single-serving smoothie.
I used to be lucky to obtain a mini meals processor as a present a few years in the past, however they’re reasonably priced sufficient for a lot of to buy while not having to dip into their financial savings account. For instance, the most recent mannequin from Cuisinart, just like the one within the picture above, prices $40.
Do you completely want a mini meals processor (or any meals processor in any respect for that matter)? No, but it surely’s nicely well worth the funding. And even for these with the means and pantry actual property to have a larger-capacity equipment, the mini model will nonetheless make a useful addition to your culinary arsenal.
