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How To Make Pie Crust Using Food Processor

pie crust

A food processor is a must-have kitchen essential today. They range from small hand-held models to larger stand-alone units. Food processors are incredibly useful cooking tools that can be used to make a variety of food items. They are also great for making pie crusts and shortcrust pastries just like stand mixers. Food processors are highly useful for tasks like making pie dough and making coleslaw. They make food prep much faster that help you save time and money. You can also read our buying guide on food processors to make an informed choice.

Why Use Food Processors To Make Pie Crust?

A food processor makes can efficiently mix the dough. It gives way to an airy and light pie crust. It helps create a light-texture base for a delicious pie. Crusts made in a food processor have a lot of air and butter because of the grinding blades. This makes the dough light, fluffy and soft. Making pie crust in a food processor is easy, fast, and also saves on manual effort.

There are different types of food processors available that offer different uses. You can read our blog on types of food processors to learn more about them.

How To Make Pie Crust Using Food Processor?

Add Ingredients To The Food Processor

First mix 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup vegetable shortening, 1/2 cup Ice water in a large bowl. Mix and put the ingredients into a food processor. This makes the crust extremely light, tender, and crispy.

Add all the above to the food processor like Cuisinart DLC-2A and add the remaining ingredients, melted butter, sugar, and lemon juice. You can add various flavorings to make your pie delicious depending on your taste and palette.

Pulse To Break Up The Butter

Pulsing the butter well is the next crucial thing. It is important to add cold butter to the mix but only once you have pulsed it thoroughly. Pulsing at least 20 sec will help you get pea-sized butter easily. The idea is to have even crumbles of butter so that the many flaky layers can be avoided.

Add Liquid

The dough will become runny if you add too much liquid. The dough will be dry if you add too little water. The good news is you will require water between 1/3 cup and ½ cup of water to bind your mix. Don’t forget to add some water, pulse the processor, and repeat.

Let Dough Start To Come Together

Gathering the dough and pulling it through to form a smooth mix is the next careful step into making light and delicious crust. Breville BFP800BSXL is a nice option if you are looking for a food processor. Let the mix run through till the dough binds together. Do not run the food processor to bring the mix into a ball. It should be loosely bound.

Form Discs

Roll out a ball and press it between your palms to make a disc once you get the preferred consistency. Lightly flour the surface of the dough. Use a rolling pin and flatten out the disc evenly. Do this only till the limit where the elasticity can be felt.

Use Right Away Or Store For Later

Cover the discs in plastic wrap and let them cool for 1-2 hours before serving. Transfer it to a pie plate and fill it with sweet, savory, or spicy fillings with a dash of olive oil and bake away. You can also store them in a freezer for months.

Food processors these days came with the latest technology like LCD displays, multifunction discs, etc. Breville BFP800XL Sous Chef Food Processor’s reviews mark that it comes with a built-in LCD display that shows count up and count down automatically.

What Blade Do You Use In Food Processor For Pie Crust?

A standard multipurpose s-blade is ideal for making perfect pie crusts in a food processor. You can also use this blade for chopping ingredients if want a pie crust made with fresh chopped herbs or nuts. This blade is the best for making crumb pie crusts that require chopping graham crackers, cookies, or other ingredients.

What Size Food Processor Do I Need For Pie Crust?

The 7 and 9 cup food processors are the right size for making pie crusts. 7 cup food processors or larger give you enough capacity for a 9-inch pie. You can choose a large or a small capacity food processor depending upon the amount of pie crust you want. The customer reviews of Braun FP3020 show that it is a 12 cup food processor that you can consider buying.

Conclusion

Food processors have been like a revolution to every kitchen as they have made the task of prepping for food easy and convenient. Their versatility to shred and blend has been accepted by millions. The reliability of professional and small-scale businesses on a stand mixer for their everyday chores says a lot about acceptability and popularity in the market. There are many more benefits offered by these devices. You read about the benefits of using a food processor in our blog.

BestViewsReviews rates and reviews hundreds of food processors and pie pans on the basis of their blending power, noise level and build quality.

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Food Chopper Vs Food Processor: What to Buy?

Food Chopper Vs Food Processor

The conflict between the food chopper vs food processor is not new. The majority of households today contain innovative appliances choppers, processors, and best-rated stand mixers. They make tasks like cutting, chopping, grinding, and processing convenient. A food chopper and food processor are members of the same family. So, it is easy to get confused when it comes to their uses. We have a blog on top food choppers where we explain the best products in detail. Read to know food chopper better.

A food chopper is efficient with smaller cups of fruits and veggies while a processor can process a large volume of veggies, fruits, and other food items. The basic function of both these devices is similar except processors are versatile and can chop, dice, shred, and blend too. In this blog, we will help you walk through the important details of both appliances to help you make a better buying decision.

Food Chopper Vs Food Processor: Comparison

Capacity

You can use a food processor to knead dough, blend, dice, slice, and whisk. The capacity of a food processor is 8-12 cups at a time. Standard food processors have a capacity of around 4 to 6 cups and can primarily chop and are ideal for dry ingredients.

Size

A food chopper is convenient and portable. Its lightweight nature makes it ideal for storage. Mini food choppers are compact and efficient. They come with a powerful motor. A food processor is not lightweight. It is ideal as a countertop appliance that is heavy and needs a stable surface to operate.

Functions

A food processor is multifunctional as compared to a food chopper. You can use a food processor for whipping the batter of your favorite cake or cookie, or to slice your veggies. You cannot use a food chopper for kneading or whipping as their mechanism won’t allow such actions. We have a dedicated buying guide on food processors for you to view. It will help you to choose the right product well.

Weight

A manual food chopper is lighter than a processor. It has several blades that help you accomplish tasks in the kitchen. They are ideal for small batches only. A food processor consists of a heavy and powerful motor that allows you to process large batches of food at once. It comes in a sturdy build that adds to its weight, resulting in instability.

Cost

An average food chopper can cost you around USD 30 to 35 while a good-quality chopper can range from USD 100. Powerful variants are equipped with a bigger size. A food processor can cost you anywhere between USD 130 to USD 600 depending on the features, built, and size.

Based on genuine reviews, Ninja Food Chopper is one of the best-selling food chopper in the market. It will cost you just about $42.99.

Versatility

A food processor is versatile and flexible. It can accommodate attachments that come with the package or if bought separately. It has a different blade for different-sized food items. A processor can perform functions like dicing, chopping, shredding, kneading, and whipping. A food chopper cannot multi-task and is limited to chopping dry ingredients or making a puree. The finesse a food processor can give outweighs the performance of a food chopper. You can use food choppers and food processors to prepare restaurant-like meals, right at your home.

Easy to Clean

Cleaning a food chopper is convenient. A food chopper has a simple build that allows you to clean thoroughly. A food processor is also simple to clean. The containers of processors are big enough to accommodate a thorough cleaning. Most choppers and processors are dishwasher safe and this quality makes them easy to maintain.

Food Chopper Vs Food Processor: Buy the Best

MAGICCOS 7-in-1 Food Processor

Reviews of MAGICCOS 7-in-1 Food Processor show that it is a compact and versatile appliance. It can chop ingredients into a consistency from fine to coarse. The stainless steel blade cuts through vegetables, fruits, nuts, and meat with ease. It comes with a chopping blade, dough blade, spatula and reversible blade disc that allows to make almost everything

Breville BFP800BSXL Food Processor

Breville BFP800BSXL Food Processor is an essential kitchen tool for chopping vegetables, nuts, and fruits. This chopper is great for chopping up various dishes. This appliance makes food preparation a breeze. It chops foods into fine pieces for a range of recipes and comes with 5 multi-function discs and 3 blades. This model has got positive reviews for its auto-timer settings and LCD display.

Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor

Cuisinart DFP-14BCNY 14-Cup Food Processor is ideal for slicing, chopping, grinding, and pureeing your favorite items. It has a compact size, strong motor, and easy-to-hold ergonomic handle. This model uses 720 watts of energy and features  “on” and “off/pulse” buttons. It also offers single-touch operations and 7 food prep functions for your convince.

ZYLISS Easy Pull Food Chopper

Reviews of ZYLISS Easy Pull Food Chopper suggest that this model is great for travel and small kitchen spaces. It has a sleek multi-blade design that lets you chop your food ingredients in just some seconds. This appliance is hand-powered, which means you have to pull the handle for rotating stainless steel blades. You can create spicy salsa in just 5 pulls.

Kuhn Rikon Pull Chop Chopper

Kuhn Rikon Pull Chop Chopper comes with a double container capacity and blade attachments. It helps you to chop vegetables with ease. Close the lid and chop, dice, and cube all at once. This chopper is safer to use than a knife, and the results are far more uniform. This model has got a good customer rating and excellent reviews for its safe as well as easy-to-wash design.

Food Chopper Vs Food Processor: The Final Verdict

In this conflict between food chopper vs food processor, the food processor takes the focus. Its versatility, affordability, and advanced features make them handy for different kitchen chores. If you are planning to buy a food chopper, keep in mind that the functions and controls are limited.

We also have a blog to cast out the difference between a food processor and a blender. Reading this blog will help you make the right buying call. A processor is your best bet if your kitchen operation is diverse or you like to experiment. If you want to quicken your shopping process, you should go with a food chopper. We hope this blog, food chopper Vs. a food processor helps you in making the right choice.

BestViewsReviews helps you find the leading food choppers and top-rated food processors on the market by rating and reviewing them based on quality, convenience, and durability. Get unbiased, honest reviews of products before you buy.

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Food Processor Vs Blender: Which is Better?

food processor or blender

The comparison of a food processor vs a blender might confuse you while shopping for the ideal kitchen appliance. Food processors and blenders are modern-age kitchen appliances that can make the process of food preparation easy. A food processor is a versatile gadget that can perform all-around cooking tasks. You can use it for mixing, shredding, whipped cream, and smoothies. The top lid prevents spills from food and the base has removable blades. Food processors differ from food blenders. Make sure you understand what is a food blender before making a final selection. You can also read about the benefits of using a food processor.

What is a food processor?

A food processor is an electrical appliance used to facilitate various food preparation tasks. Typically, a food processor consists of a motor-driven base, fitted with various interchangeable blades, discs, and accessories, allowing for a range of chopping, slicing, mixing, blending, and other food prep activities. It is a versatile device that you can use to quickly and efficiently process a variety of foods.

What is a Blender?

A food blender is an important kitchen gadget that can blend a wide variety of food ingredients. It rotates food content in a whirling motion that liquefies them evenly. The shape of a blender is such that whatever you pour in it is diverted towards the center. This makes it perfect for whipping creams and preparing smooth liquids with the right consistency. You can check a model like Oster BLSTTS-CB2-000 Pro Blender offers 1200 peak watts and a 3-inch, 6-point stainless steel blade for slicing even the toughest ingredients.

You can use this gadget for crushing frozen foods or chopping vegetables and fruits. Check our blog to find the best 5 immersion blender recipes.

Food Processor Vs Blender- Which is Better?

The points below will help you understand the comparison between food processors vs blenders.

Working Mechanism

A blender can aerate the mixture, resulting in an indulgent recipe. If you’re making batter for your cake and pastries, a blender is a perfect appliance. The fluff they can add to your ingredients is unmatched and helps you prepare a delicious dish. You can also use a blender to mix different sauces and make a delicious concoction.

A food processor can do everything that a blender can. The bowl of a food processor is bigger and lets you mix a variety of ingredients in one go. It cuts down on preparation time significantly. You can prefer a food processor over a blender if you’re looking for large portions. A model like Hamilton Beach Food Processor comes with 2 speeds plus pulse and 450 watts of power for better performance.

Workbowl

The blender often uses glass or plastic bowls available in square or round shapes. They are easy to clean and maintain. Food processor work bowls are large and sturdy. They can hold more food ingredients and pouring the food out is comparatively easier in food processors.

Blades

The blades in food blenders are mostly X-shaped and wing-shaped. The X-shaped blades are perfect for achieving the right consistency for soups and other liquids. These devices equip wing-shaped blades for crushing ice or other hard ingredients. Food processors mostly come with S-shaped blades. They are wonderful at chopping and delivering sharp cuts.

Accessories

Food processors and blenders can come with a wide variety of accessories. Food blenders mainly include accessories such as smaller jars and different blade types. The smaller jars are for making smoothies and creams. Food processors can come with an array of blades for performing different tasks. Common accessories include shredding disks, slicing disks, and chopping blades.

Can I Use a Blender Instead of a Food Processor?

The quick answer is NO. You cannot use a blender for chopping vegetables and slicing them evenly. The blender is good for liquefying food items. You can use this gadget for any other cooking tasks like preparing creams, whipping smoothies, and many more. It is not possible to use a food processor as a food blender because the working and operation of the food processor are different.

Buy Best Food Processors and Blender

MAGICCOS Food Processor

The reviews of MAGICCOS Food Processor are good because it has a robust motor that allows it to chop hard items quickly and efficiently. It also contains an LCD touch panel with a built-in timer, making it simple to use. It includes a chopping blade, dough blade, spatula, and changeable blade disc that can make practically anything.

Braun FP3020 12 Cup Food Processor

The Braun FP3020 12 Cup Food Processor has detachable pieces that make cleaning and maintenance a breeze. It has a variable speed setting that makes it very easy to use. This model comes with a powerful engine that can quickly process food.

KOIOS 850W Personal Blender

The KOIOS 850W Personal Blender is a considerable addition to your kitchen space, and it includes a hardcover recipe book. It contains an 850W copper motor with pulse technology for smooth and powerful operation. It has a 6-leaf cross and flat 2-leaf blades that make blending and extracting nutrients a breeze. Chopping, blending, mixing, grating, and grinding are all possible with this model.

MegaWise Hand Blender

MegaWise Hand Blender has 12-speed options to choose from, allowing you to customize it to your needs. It has an 800-watt motor that gives excellent blending results. It’s made of high-quality stainless steel, which means it’ll last a long time.

Food Processor Vs Blender- Final Verdict

We suggest you go with a top-quality food processor device if your kitchen needs are diverse. People love food processors for their versatility and their ability to multitask. A blender is a good choice if your priority is churning purees and preparing soups. It is important for you to know your requirements and choose between a food processor vs blender. You should also read our other blog to know about immersion blenders in detail.

BestViewsReviews rates and ranks hundreds of best immersion blenders and top-rated personal blenders on the basis of convenience, controls, and build quality.

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Buying Guide For Best Food Processor

best food processor

A food processor is a motor-driven kitchen appliance that uses cutting blades to effectively process, chop, blend and puree almost any food item. This appliance is considered a versatile kitchen gadget because of its multiple uses. The best food processor is an invaluable addition to your collection of kitchen appliances. Many food processor models come with innumerable functions and help you accomplish your kitchen tasks with the utmost ease. Food processors are similar to blenders in their working but they differ in many aspects. Learn more in our blog Food Processors or Blenders: Which is better?

What Does Food Processor Do?

Food processors are good for grinding your foods or chopping your veggies. You can also use food processors for creating smoothies, blending mixtures, preparing bread dough, and emulsifying dressings. The food processors with multiple attachments can be used for different tasks. A food processor might help you replace many appliances, but for specific dishes like purées or whipped creams, blenders and mixers are the best.

How to Choose the Best Food Processor?

Power

You can go with a 600 watts food processor if you’re looking to churn and process at least nine cups at a time or larger batches of food. Always remember, if your task requires heavier wattage than the rating on the processor, it might burn out and lose its sheen. This will give out high inconsistencies of the resulting food. Breville BFP660SIL reviews suggest that this food processor has an incredibly efficient and quiet 1000 watts motor.

Capacity

The size or capacity of a processor depends upon each variant. It is good to go with a processor that can churn 10+ cups in one go if you have a large family and whip many meals regularly. Going with a small food processor can be really dissatisfying if you’ve to make large batches of food. The capacity of the container generally varies from 2-4 litres. Typically, people have a processor with a capacity of 3 liters for home usage. Some brands also come with additional containers for convenience. Reviews of Hamilton Beach show that this model is a great option if you want to opt for large capacity.

Attachments

Food processors like Cuisinart DLC-2A come with many accessories and attachments. You can change the speed settings while you’re kneading your dough for more precision. According to the size of the items, you can go with attachments that will help you simplify your process. Some brands come with attachments while in some, additional attachments need to be bought.

Price 

Starting from as low as USD 30, food processors come in an extensive range. You can invest as high as USD 400 for better motors and enhanced working. Breville BFP800BSXL is a worthy high-end buy. Reviews show that this model is good for its 5 multi-function discs.

Controls and Functioning

It is important to look for processors that have multiple speed controls. Usually, the speed levels can carry from 5 to 10 in most food processors. The models with 10-speed settings have a speed range of 300 to 3,000 rpm. The smooth functioning will result in consistent blends.

Number of Blades

The higher number of blades will ensure the high versatility of your processor. Many models include multiple blades for uninterrupted operations. They have different blades for different operations like chopping, grinding, pureeing, etc. The stainless steel blades are the most preferred choice because of their non-rusting properties.

Warranty

A good warranty period is a must to ensure the high durability of your selected model. Usually, many brands offer a minimum of 1 year of warranty, but you can get an extended warranty by paying the extra amount. High-rated models like Braun FP3020 12 Cup Food Processor come with 1 year manufacture warranty.

Food Processors: FAQs

Is a Food Processor and a Blender the Same Thing?

The answer is No. Food choppers will help you if you want to go for dicing and chopping. Blenders and mixers are more helpful in whipping up some recipes which require thorough blending. You can prefer blenders and mixers for liquid foods as you do not get the same consistency through a processor.

Can a Food Processor Chop Onions and Potatoes?

The answer is Yes. A food processor can be used to chop onions and potatoes. You can use S-shaped cutting blades to cut your onions into large even pieces. Make sure you don’t over-blend the pieces, otherwise they may taste bitter or off flavor. Read our blog to know which is better between food chopper vs food processor.

How Long Does a Food Processor Last?

A good quality food processor can easily last for 7 to 10 years. The low-end models with less powerful motors can last for 3 to 4 years. The durability of your food processors also depends on your usage. It is important to keep your appliances in a good, well-maintained condition.

Conclusion

A food processor can be a beneficial purchase for busy individuals. There are many benefits of using a food processor. You can quickly make a snack for your family that they want to eat. Having a food processor eases your kitchen responsibilities and saves you a lot of time. It’s imperative to make a cost-effective and efficient choice when you have many options available in the market.

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