Food processors?

[WillWorkForFood]

I'm trying to do more cooking from scratch and made a lovely curry last night, however the whole 'finely chopped onion' lark (other vegetables are available) is getting old very quickly so I was thinking of investing in a food processor to make chopping veg etc a lot easier.

I borrowed one from my parents and found it a bit rubbish if I'm honest and just turned the onion into a pulp, rather than 'finely chopped'.

I'm not sure whether my expectations are unrealistic or whether I used the machine incorrectly or of the machine was a bit old and blunt?

Can anyone recommend a decent food processor for beginners?

For clarity, I'm not looking to blend into liquids or anything, this is to save all the faff of fine chopping.

Thanks in advance.

Stick blenders usually have an attachment for chopping. Braun are good.

I just don't bother with fine chopping. In half then in segments is fine for onions for curries or almost anything else - about the only thing I'll dice for is salsa/salad and then it's only half an onion so only takes a moment.

If your DP's processor mushed it's just old and blunt.

I'd be surprised if you can chop an onion using a food processor, including setting it up, getting the chopped stuff out and cleaning it, faster than just chopping it up with a knife. I have a Magimix permanently set up on the worktop, and a dishwasher, and the Magimix does a reasonable job of fine chopping. I can't think of the last time I used it to do that, though: just buy a decent knife and practice a bit.

I find it easier to chop and onion by hand than use a processor. A processor turns them closer to mush than finely chopped. A mini chopper, that usually comes with a stick blender might be a good option.

Fair enough.

What took the longest was running to the patio doors every 20 seconds to let my eyes recover. Do you build up a tolerance?

I use my Magimix for a lot of things, including curries. Plus cake and pastry.I really appreciate it and it was worth the terrible price tag.

I also have a much more recent stand mixer, but it is a waste of time and does nothing much I can't do with the Magimix.

The sharper your knife, the faster and cleaner you'll chop and the less time there will be for your eyes to water! Mine don't even water anymore. It's just practice, and a good sharp knife. And don't use a glass cutting board either, they're shit.

What took the longest was running to the patio doors every 20 seconds to let my eyes recover.

Get a sharper knife.

A kenwood mini chopper saved me.

Buy frozen chopped onion!!! - it's only about £1 for a bag and you just use from frozen!

Yes, definitely sharpen your knife (regularly) - that prevents crying. Once you can quickly chop an onion, it will be much quicker than getting out and cleaning the processor, plus, as you have found, they don't tend to chop just as you would want it.

I do use my Kenwood mini chopper for certain things though and wouldn't be without it.

Yes to frozen chopped onion.

I'm surprised so many people are anti-food processors. I don't actually have one, but I have been thinking about one.

if you watch all the Jamie Oliver 30 minute meals programmes he uses one all the time- sliced onions and and chopped onions, all the time.

I adore my food processor.

With onion, garlic, ginger etc I've stated chucking the whole bag/piece in the processor and freezing what I don't use.

I had a Kenwood one with blender jug as I make curry from scratch and need the jug to whizz the sauce.

I've never had a problem with mine turning the veg to mush but I've recently replaced my old one (broke the essential jug) with a von chef one (Black Friday sale) and already I'm in love!

Personally I do prefer it to chopping with a knife as I can get much smaller chop. I'm fussy and sometimes you really need the flavour but I'm not keen on the texture.

Also use it for making breadcrumbs, graying lots of cheese/veg, slicing, shredding.

(And I completely agree that a knife might be quicker but a top and tail of an onion, in half and whizz away is so much easier on the eyes.

I have the Kenwood mini chopper too. It's fab! Saves lots of time

Magimix are excellent food processors. I dont have a mini chopper but that might be worth a look.

oblomov Jamie's 30mm has some great recipes but the washing up created is astronomical.

Ooh ooh OP!!

QuickPull Food Chopper:... [[https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010VDS8K4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf&tag=mumsnetforum-21 This]]

I should've bought one aged ago but I eyed it with suspicion believing it to be a gimmick. It's amazingly novel and for such a cheap and cheerful thing it's made chopping ANYTHING so flipping easy.

Half the onion, or carrots, or the tomatos, stick the lid on and I pull the pulley string for about 6 times and voila - finely chopped veg. If you want it even finer, keep going a few more tugs. It does not turn it into pulp, or mush or anything like that, just teeny tiny pieces of veg.

No mess on the chopping board, no extra time, its all done in under a minute. I really really love it.

Frozen chopped onion is awesome!

Brieftons QuickPull Food Chopper:... www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B010VDS8K4?ref=yo_pop_ma_swf&tag=mumsnetforum-21

I tried frozen onions after reading recommendations but I found it to be weirdly bitter. So kept to fresh.
I have converted to frozen green beans, frozen peppers, mash, butternut squash and frozen chopped parsley.

Swimming goggles or mask if you're going to chop large quantities onion wil save many , er, tears.

@minisoksmakehardwork

Are yiu able to link to the von chef please

the Von shef I have. I am so pleased with it. Price has gone back up but it still worth it. My Kenwood wasn't much difference in price but wasn't as good.

Jamie Oliver uses the Magimix which has a mini chopping bowel inside the main bowl, plus a third middle bowl for sliced and grated stuff.

My only moan about that machine is the coat of occasional additional or replacement bowls.