If you have been following my recipes for a while, you will know that I like my food to be not only nutritious but simple and relatively quick to make too.
In order for me to do this, there are two non-negotiable pieces of kitchen equipment that are priorities in my kitchen:
The Magimix food processor and the Magimix blender.
To help you get the most of your own time in the kitchen, I thought it would be helpful to provide a simple guide on the different ways to get the most out of your food processor and blender and how I use each.
Whilst I appreciate not everyone can justify both appliances, and there is a little bit of overlap between the two, I really think that they have very distinct roles in the kitchen. Both are fantastic tools that can save you time and make food preparation much more enjoyable.
It’s also important to mention the quality of both products. They are definitely built to last, which is so important when you are deciding which equipment to buy. Both the food processor and the blender have a 30-year motor guarantee, so they are a worthwhile investment for years to come.
The Magimix Food Processor
I’ve had my Magimix food processor for over 10 years. And I use it every single day. And I mean Every. Single. Day.
It’s incredibly versatile and so easy to use. There are only three buttons – auto (start), stop and pulse – it couldn’t be simpler!
It’s also super easy to wash – the blade comes out easily, making it even simpler. Or if you want, you can also put the bowl and blade in the dishwasher.
How to Use a Food Processor to Save Time in the Kitchen
Blending
It might seem counter-intuitive that you blend in the food processor as well as the blender, but bear with me. The processor is your number one gadget for blending non-liquid foods. Think dates, think nuts or anything where you don’t want to add in too much liquid. If you try and blend dates and nuts in the blender you will have a much more difficult time. In fact, I know many of you have told me you have broken your blenders trying to blend dates! The food processor will make blending all my nut and dates bars a breeze in no time at all! And no need to waste precious time soaking your dates. The magimix will blend them into a paste quickly with no need to pre-soak.
Recipes to try: Pistachio & Cranberry Oat Bars
Chopping and slicing veggies
How many times have you spent precious minutes standing at the kitchen counter chopping vegetables? The Magimix food processor will cut this time hugely! Whether it is making sure your potatoes are cut into equal-sized slices to make a dauphinoise or chopping big batches of veggies for a soup or stew, the food processor is perfect for this. And so, so quick. There is an easy-to-fit slicing blade that take seconds to fit and you can then slice big batches of veggies super quickly.
Recipes to try: Vegan dauphinoise potatoes
Grating & shredding
Grating and shredding larger batches of carrots, courgettes and cabbage by hand can be a tedious and lengthy process. The Magimix has simple attachments which make these tasks really effortless. By using the food processor it can significantly reduce prep time for recipes like coleslaws and salads.
Recipes to try: Sesame Peanut Crunch Salad
Making dough
Having a food processor can be a game-changer for bread and pastries too. It’s a much quicker and effective way of making dough for pastries and for bread. Rather than spend 10 minutes kneading by hand, you can use the handy dough attachment, and the dough can be ready in a few minutes.
Recipes to try: Vegan Wellington
Making hummus and nut butters
Yes, you can make both of these in a blender, but I think the food processor is the better tool for nut butters and spreads/dips like hummus. Because the food processor works well without liquid, you can blend hummus and nut butters until they are very smooth, with minimal stopping and starting (and minimal added liquid). And because you can make quite a big batch in the food processor, you can make a large batch to last you the week, saving even more time.
Recipes to try: Sun-dried tomato hummus
The Magimix Blender Power Premium
Unlike most of its rivals, the Magimix Blender Power has a glass jug! Which is fantastic when you are using it for things like soups as it is heat resistant.
Like the food processor, it’s also incredibly easy to use. There are the three familiar buttons – auto (start), stop and pulse and it comes with handy cups so you can blend and go. It also comes with a milling attachment, saving precious time too.
How to Use a Blender to Save Time in the Kitchen
Smoothies
My number one reason for having a blender is that it will make amazing smoothies! But all blenders are not created equal. You want a powerful one that can turn fruits and vegetables (with nuts and seeds) into a lovely smooth consistency. Using a powerful blender like the Magimix, means there is no need for chopping everything finely – just throw your ingredients in and blend. It will also mean you will have to blend for less time to achieve the desired results – super important when time is tight in the mornings.
Recipes to try: High protein green smoothie
Quick soups and sauces
For soups, a blender is the best way to save time when puréeing hot ingredients into smooth liquids (without having to strain or sieve). Like smoothies, you want a blender that can give you a smooth consistency quickly, but also one that is big enough so that you can blend big batches at once. Even adding stalks from veggies like broccoli, the blender will make light work of these.
Recipes to try: Immune Boosting Super Greens Soup
Creating smooth dressings:
You will know by now that I’m a big fan of a homemade dressing. And a blender is the perfect tool for creating them. It combines the ingredients more efficiently than whisking by hand and if you are combining thick or oily ingredients like tahini or olive oil, it is the quickest and easy way to make sure they are fully mixed in and emulsified. There are two smaller cups that come with the blender that are perfect for quickly blending dressings.
Recipes to try: Pumpkin Seed Dressing
Milling grains and seeds
The added bonus of the Magimix blender is that they have a milling attachment (comes with certain models or can be bought as an additional accessory). This will quickly take things like oats and seeds and transform them into flours in a matter of seconds. Perfect for adding to easy no-bake recipes and to use in baking.
Recipes to try: 5 Ingredient Peanut Butter Bars
Tips to get the most out of your Magimix food processor and blender (and save even more time!)
- Read the manuals: It might sound obvious, but understanding all the attachments and functions ensures you’re using them to their full potential – and will save you time in the long run!
- Batch prep: Prepare extra when chopping and grating and store any excess in airtight containers in the fridge and freezer.
- Keep them accessible: This is my most important tip! Store your food processor and blender where you can easily reach them. If they’re hidden away in a cupboard, you’re less likely to use them (and it takes time to get them out!).
- Clean it immediately after using: You can put most parts in the dishwasher, but I prefer to wash them immediately after use. It will actually save you time in the long run!
I hope you have found this helpful! As always, if you have any other questions, feel free to reach out and let me know.
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