This electric kitchen appliance can be used to quickly chop, slice, shred, grind and purée most foods. It basic components are a motorized base, a transparent work bowl with lid and feed tube and a set of attachments or discs that perform different tasks.
The standard attachment is a stainless steel "S"-blade used for chopping. Common extra attachments include dough blades, egg whips, julienne discs, French fry discs and citrus juicers.
The invention of the food processor is credited to Carl Sontheimer, an accomplished engineer whose microwave direction finder was used by NASA in a mission to the moon. In 1971, Sontheimer attended a cooking show in France where he discovered an elaborate industrial blender. His long-time love for cooking inspired him to adapt the machine for use in the home kitchen.
After a year of modifications, Sontheimer marketed his new device, the "Cuisinart," in 1973. It took two years for the public to realize the benefits of the food processor, but once they did, it revolutionized food preparation in kitchens around the world.
Try one of our favorite food processor recipes:
French Dressing
Classic Shortbread
Cranberry Orange Ginger Relish
View BigOven's food-processor recipes