My lack of posts over the past week hasn’t been due to a lack of cooking. In fact, I’ve been testing out a number of new recipes over the last week, ranging from sweet potato pie to fresh pesto, that I hope to share after a few minor tweaks. 

It was during all of this cooking that I realized what a welcomed addition a food processor has been to my kitchen. Ramsey gave it to me for Christmas and I was initially hesitant to give up precious counter space for a 14-cup processor, albeit a shiny stainless steel one. I shuffled some things around, namely my spice rack and toaster to make room, and it was totally worth it to open up a new world of culinary possibilities. 

I’ve used the new processor at least once every two days since New Year’s Eve and a record of three times in one day last week (hummus, coating for Fry-free Crispy Chicken, and the custard for the sweet potato pie). Dough preparation time for pies, tarts, and pasta has been greatly reduced and onions are minced without tears. It may not be a truly “essential” tool for a kitchen, but if you’re looking for a new appliance that doesn’t take up too much counter space, my vote goes to the food processor. 

Here’s a quick hummus recipe that I’ve made a few times recently. It’s just the right amount for a gathering or to keep in the fridge for a few days for lunches.