The food processor is a versatile tool that conjures up homemade soup, ice cream and more in next to no time.
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On some days, convenience is everything when it comes to making healthy, hearty meals. If you are looking for ease and simplicity in the kitchen, look no further than your trusted food processor.
The time-saving tool reduces tedious kitchen tasks – no cutting, dicing or chopping – and is a multifunctional marvel that can make everything from soup to ice cream.
These seven simple but satisfying food processor recipes prove that this amazing device can expand your cooking horizons even when you don’t have much time in the kitchen.
1. Cauliflower ‘fried rice’ entree
You can prepare this healthy cauliflower “fried rice” in your food processor in under 20 minutes prep time.
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Your food processor turns cauliflower into “fried rice” for this lightened take-away version of your favorite dish. Replacing rice with this cruciferous vegetable not only cuts carbohydrates, it also improves the dish’s nutritional profile. But with a palate-pleasing patchwork of herbs and spices like ginger, hot chili peppers, and coriander, this healthier fried rice doesn’t sacrifice a hint of flavor.
Kale adds vitamins A, C, and K to traditional pesto.
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Why waste your money on store-bought pesto when you can easily make a fresher, more delicious version at home? A food processor is all you need to master the art of pesto. This simple recipe includes all of the delicious, traditional ingredients – basil, pine nuts, and olive oil – plus superfood kale for a wider variety of vitamins and minerals. Combine with your favorite pasta for a delicious meal or serve as a dip with your favorite vegetables for a satisfying snack.
3. Dragon Fruit Smoothie Bowl
This energizing dragon fruit smoothie bowl comes together in no time.
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When you need an energetic breakfast, this colorful, sweet smoothie bowl gives you plenty of pizzazz thanks to healthy carbohydrates made from a tasty blend of fruits like pitaya (dragon fruit), bananas and raspberries. A filling scoop of vegetable protein powder provides muscle-building strength, while a pinch of maca powder provides a solid dose of fiber.
4. Creamy broccoli and cauliflower soup
Make this homemade broccoli soup in your food processor for a healthier alternative to store-bought varieties.
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If you are a fan of broccoli, this velvety vegetable soup is for you. This homemade dish scraps the added sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavoring for simple ingredients like milk, vegetable oil, and black pepper. And because unsalted chicken broth is used, this healthier version contains roughly a quarter of the sodium compared to Campbell’s creamy broccoli soup.
All you need is a can of black beans and a food processor to make this homemade hummus.
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Fancy some homemade hummus but no chickpeas? This tasty twist on the delicious dip offers another way to use your stash of black beans. Other pantry staples like olive oil, lemon juice, and paprika round off this creamy spread, which also doubles as a premium salad topper or burrito stuffer.
6. The Superfood Energy Bar
With whole food ingredients like pumpkin seeds, hemp hearts, and chia seeds, this homemade energy bar is healthier than most store-bought varieties.
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While there is no shortage of energy bars in the grocery store, you might be forced to find one processed junk without a litany listed in the ingredients. Rest assured, you’re only eating healthy dishes with these superfood bars that contain a bunch of heart-healthy hemp protein, oatmeal, and pumpkin seeds that come together quickly in the food processor.
With notes of chocolate made from cocoa powder, these crispy and chewy bites owe their natural sweetness to Medjool dates, with no added sugar. Seeds like chia and poppy seeds add nutrient levels and take the texture of these no-bake bars to a new level.
7.Simple chocolate ‘Gelato’
No ice machine? No problem. Mix this simple ice cream in your food processor.
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You don’t need a fancy ice cream machine to make this homemade ice cream made in the food processor. So creamy and decadent that you won’t believe this delicious dessert is neither milk nor sugar in it. Simply mix frozen, ripe bananas with unsweetened cocoa powder and pure vanilla extract and voila – instant sofate gelato. A pinch of sea salt offers a hearty balance between the sweetness of the bananas and the bitterness of the cocoa.
