If you are making the switch to eating a more plant-based diet, investing in a food processor will help you out amazingly. You simply throw in your ingredients, press a button, and out comes a healthy mixture of food that you can use in your dishes!

Blenders are another essential kitchen item to have in your kitchen, but they’re much different than a food processor. Blenders are great for making smoothies, soups, whole food juices, and even batters for homemade baked goods. Food processors can do somewhat of the same thing but are better for recipes that you don’t need as much of a liquid consistency for. For instance, raw energy bars and bites require a “dough” like result that a food processor is better suited for, or for simple tasks like chopping, dicing, and slicing veggies, which a blender won’t do as efficiently as a food processor.

While both a food processor and blender are great items to have in your kitchen, for those that don’t have high speed blenders or would like another versatile kitchen tool, food processors are a great option. Be sure to select one that holds at least 12-14 cups and be sure to buy from a high-quality brand so you won’t waste your money.

The benefits of using a food processor are that you won’t have to waste money on store-bought items, when you can buy ingredients in bulk, and whip them into the food processor to make tasty homemade treats without preservatives or additives. You will have the peace of mind that your meals will be clean and healthy, and that is a real treat in itself, isn’t it?

1. Wow Your Friends With Raw Cheesecakes and Tarts!

You will be shocked at how fast you can whip up a dessert with a food processor. If you have a social gathering coming up, surprise them with a homemade dessert – or even better, don’t tell them its not made with dairy and see what they think! Try this Raw Vegan Cherry Cheesecake, this Raw Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake with Peanut Butter and Coconut, and this No-Bake Lemon Tart.

2. Start Making Your Own Cheeses

A lot of store bought cheeses contain high amounts of salt, and we don’t want that! Serve Vegan Pepper Jack Cashew Cheese on your cheese board at parties, Vegan Cashew Cheese which you can add to sandwiches or as a sauce, or make this delicious Spicy Vegan Cheese Sauce to go on your tortillas or as a dip! Imagine how it will feel to prepare and taste your own homemade cheese?

3. Create Your Own Nut Butters

Though some blenders can make nut butters, not all are as efficient as a food processor for this type of job. By making your own at home in your food processor, you can avoid the common unsustainable palm oil used in many peanut butters and other nut butters on the market. in the processing. You’ll also save money and help the environment. Eating healthy nut butter also has a lot of health benefits too, due to the healthy fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals nuts contains. Learn to make your own Peanut Butter or do something a bit different by whipping up Walnut Butter, Cashew Butter, and Hazelnut Butter. Read about all of the ways you can use nut butter and give it a try this week!

4. Experiment With Smoothies

If your smoothie breaks on you, or you don’t have a high speed blender to create amazingly thick smoothies, have no fear! You can easily use your food processor to whip up an incredibly thick smoothie, all in just a few minutes. Whipping up smoothies ensures you eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day and they also make amazing and quick breakfasts. Place all of your smoothie ingredients together the night before and throw them into the food processor in the morning. Pour and serve. How simple? Why don’t you start by making this Pumpkin Protein Smoothie, Superfood Raspberry Smoothie, or a Cacao Maca Energizing Smoothie.

5. Swap Buying Store-Bought Soups With Easy Homemade Soups

Soups are amazing throughout the year; raw soups are cooling on the system during the summer, and you get a warming feeling from slurping hot soups in the winter months. Just like you can use your blender to make soups, you can also make them in just a few minutes in a food processor. Prepare a Raw Harvest Soup, a Raw Carrot Avocado Soup, and a Simple Courgette Soup with Almond Pesto.

6. Fill Your Fridge With Homemade Dips!

You can add so much flavor to your meals with a delicious dip that you make in your food processor.  Serve them with veggie burgers or as a dipping sauce at dinner parties or however else you enjoy. Make this Indian Saag Dip, a Herbed Tofu Ranch Dip, or a super Creamy Green Avocado Basil Dip as a great way to try out this tip in your food processor.

7. You Can Make Your Own Healthy Snack Bars!

As mentioned above, a great way to use your food processor is to make healthy snack bars. This is also a great way to reduce your sugar intake since many store bought options have a large amount of sugar that you really don’t need. You will be shocked at the levels of sugar that is hidden in prepared foods.  Make these Raw Vegan Superfood Energy Protein Bars, these yummy Raw Snickers Candy Bars, or these Chamomile Ginger Lemon Raw Energy Bars for something delicious and different!

8. Homemade Ice Cream!

WOOHOO! You can enjoy luxurious ice creams at home without the need of an ice cream maker or dairy – that’s a reason in itself to buy a food processor, isn’t it? If you have a weakness for peanut butter, this Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream is amazing. Or, make a lighter and fruity version like this Acai Berry Vegan Ice Cream, or go crazy with a Decadent Caramel Chocolate Banana Ice Cream – how irresistible!

 

Image source: Raw Chocolate Chunk Cheesecake with Peanut Butter and Coconut