Yesterday my mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas this year. I always have a difficult time coming up with a list and this year is no exception. I did have one idea that I shared with her: either a blender or a food processor. I suppose technicially that is two ideas, but whatever. I have somehow managed to make it to the ripe old age of 31 having never owned either one of these kitchen appliances (am I the only one?) and thought it was high time I had one.
Neither my boyfriend nor I is a wiz in the kitchen. We have been cooking a lot more though, and trying new and different things with this new diet I am on. There have been few recipes that we have recently discovered that called for either a blender or a food processor, but of course we couldn't really make them without the necessary appliances. So when my mom asked me what I wanted and I mentioned both of these she asked which one I wanted more. I hadn't really given it too much thought so I didn't really know what to say. To be honest, neither one would probably get a ton of use in my kitchen, but they certainly seem like handy things to have. I do know that one thing I would LOVE to make with the food processor is this Oreo and Peanut Butter Pie recipe that I was introduced to by Danielle. (Definitely NOT on the diet, but looks heavenly)
Anyway, later in the afternoon yesterday my mom called me back with what seemed like a great solution/compromise I had not thought of. A blender + food processor in one. It is really a blender with a separate food processor attachment. She saw an Oster brand one on sale for a reasonable price. I figured it would work well enough for my needs and wouldn't cost a fortune. I just need something that will occassionally get the job done. If I find I use one or the other a ton I can always ask for a high quality version of whichever one for Christmas next year. :)
So what do you think? Do you use a blender or food processor frequently or do they sit for months on end without being touched? What are some of your favorite things to make with them? Does a two-in-one type thing seem like a good compromise or is it better to buy each one separately?
Beware of that pie! It is amazing and you will want to make it many times! Ree is a wiz in the kitchen!
I actually think that both are needed in the kitchen for different reasons. That is why I have a blender and a mini food processor. This way I have the best of both worlds, but without all of the big appliances.
We use a food processor quite often to mince garlic and onions into finely chopped bits. As for a blender well my mum owned one for making what we call "rempah" which is basically a paste of herbs and spices to make Asian dishes but we have yet to get one ourselves because the kitchen is too small.
Perhaps when we get a bigger house and kitchen which is going to be soon, we'll get one.
Danielle, you are so awesome in the kitchen I knew you would have both. The one my mom and I were looking at is a space-saver too since it's one appliance with a mini food processor attachment. Pretty sweet. And yes, that pie does look DANGEROUS!
Majimo, yay for new house and bigger kitchen! My mom's main use for the blender is for making tomato sauce for spaghetti. I'll have to check out that "rempah" paste.