Ack! I broke my Cuisinart!

[malkin]

A faithful friend since the mid 80s is at rest after an overzealous bout of grating parmesan cheese.

But by the grace of God and the internet, both of the replacement parts I need (stem and sheath) are available!

I am quite amazed when I think of how long I have had this food processor. Not long ago I took it to school to shred 'taters for hash browns with the kids--and I realized that it is older than many of my colleagues!

[colby]

I'm still being indoctrinated into the science and art of the food processor. It's a little overwhelming - but I think it's something you could use basically every day if you knew what to do with it. ;)

[Aggie_Ama]

I don't use mine enough but I did slice my index finger washing it the other day. Shockingly it is the first time I have ever cut myself in the kitchen. :eek: My food processor makes bread crumbs and cheesecake crust. I really should figure out more uses for it!

[abejita]

...and it makes homemade pie crusts a cinch! Long live your food processor.

My kitchen aid stand mixer has been making odd noises lately...hubs is afraid if it breaks there will be no more bread for him, LOL!

[OakLeaf]

Mine grinds chickpeas, and occasionally black beans.

Falafel and hummus. That's it. That's enough.

Aggie... I don't want to jinx myself, but it's about the ONLY thing I haven't cut myself with in the kitchen. That, and maybe the refrigerator, although if I thought about it there's probably been a time that I've sliced myself on sheet metal moving or servicing a fridge. :rolleyes:

[redrhodie]

I use mine mostly at this time of the year for one of my favorite soups, cold borscht. I'll also use it soon for gazpacho, once local tomatoes are ripe.

[OakLeaf]

Stick blender for soups. So much more convenient and easier to clean!

[Atlas]

I was just talking to my partner, explaining the longevity of quality food processors and stand mixers. Those suckers last forever if loved. We have a cheap food processor and I really want a nice Cuisinart. I use it all the time; sauces, faux ricottas, pureed soups, hummus, walnut pate, anything with vital wheat gluten, pesto, the list goes on.

[OakLeaf]

Oh duh. Of course pesto. :D It only happens once or twice a year when the basil's at its most prolific, so I forgot!

[malkin]

Hey--Oak, what stick blender do you have?

[OakLeaf]

This (http://www.amazon.com/Braun-MR430HC-Multiquick-Blender-Chopper/dp/B00004S9GX/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1278270823&sr=8-2) is the one I have - now discontinued, but they're making similar ones. It gets a lot of use, especially in winter when we make a lot of pureéd squash and bean soups. Everything goes in the dishwasher except the handle with the motor. The chopper attachment is great for garlic, ginger and spices when I'm chopping too much to fit in the mortar and pestle, and nuts when I'm chopping too few for the big blender. I usually prefer to whisk cream and egg whites by hand, but I do them rarely and probably would go electric if I was doing them often.

[Aggie_Ama]

For my 25th birthday my Mom bought me a Kitchen Aid Artisan Mixer, DH couldn't understand what the fuss was until he saw how much I love to bake with it. So now he still doesn't get it but he loves my baking. I love that mixer so much, I would probably cry if it broke. No, I don't get attached to machines. :p

I have a Black and Decker processor but it seems like a tough little machine, at least for my needs. This thread is making me want to figure out more uses for the food processor. I am a kitchen gadget junkie, I have to have things even though I don't know why I want them. Food processor, bread machine, butter warmers, I tried to fix my Nanny and Pawpaw's ice cream maker but it didn't work.

[maryellen]

<<I am quite amazed when I think of how long I have had this food processor. Not long ago I took it to school to shred 'taters for hash browns with the kids--and I realized that it is older than many of my colleagues! >>

Coincidentally, our blender died today--almost 50 years old--my partner's parents purchased it soon after they came to the US and somehow she ended up with it. It looks just like my mother's from the same era. Not older than we are but definitely in our age cohort!

It will be nice to have a blender with more than two speeds (on and pulse!).

[indigoiis]

My Mom found mine at St. Luke's Thrift Shop for eight bucks, parts and everything.

I use mine to make buttercream frosting. It's a lot "cleaner" than the Viking mixer because the confectioner's sugar is contained and so you don't get that dust.

I also use it to pulverize the one whole orange plus eight carrots required in my favorite carrot cake recipe.

And, I use it to make pesto.

[Tuckervill]

I had a black and decker FP that died last Christmas. Got it for my wedding shower 20 years ago.

I have a Kitchenaid mixer, but I recently upgraded to an Electrolux Magic Mill Assistent, a model which has been around for 50 years, and can mix 8 quarts of dough. I like it so much better for doing pizza dough (which is my new business) because there are no moving parts, except for the bowl spinning. I can stick my hand right in the bowl if I want, and add stuff without turning it off.

Karen

[mirliluck]

I cannot imagine life without my food processor. :eek:
I use mine at least twice a week for chopping veggies, making hummus, pesto, pancake mix, etc. Need to try nut butters some day too.

R.I.P poor Cuisinart. :(

[NoNo]

I don't use my food processor nearly as much as my mixer, but I'd be heartbroken if either of them broke. Which reminds me, I need to get the fruit and vegetable strainer so I can breeze through my canning this year!

[malkin]

My Cuisi replacement parts are finally here!

The sheath (the plastic thing that the blade sits on) came with instructions:

The instructions bel ow call for considerable physical strength and muscular control. If the pliers slip, you may be injured...

Included in the TOOLS REQUIRED were:
6" square of cardboard
One pair of pliers with rounded serrate jaws, designed to bite into and fit over round objects
One 8-10" long screwdriver
Petroleum Jelly

They didn't put it in the list, but a hammer and a block of wood was also needed to tap the sheath down into place. That sucker is really not supposed to come off--but I guess I am not the only person ever to have broken one.

We're back in business now, and we'll have new mayo this weekend!

[OakLeaf]

Yikes! Installations involving plastic and a hammer always scare me...


I made hummus the old fashioned way the other day (well, almost - I don't have a mortar and pestle big enough, so I used a potato masher and a wooden spoon). Came out fine.