This month’s Recipe Redux theme is all about those necessary tools that keep us happy and efficient in the kitchen. Sometimes it’s fun to be MacGyver-ish and make do with whatever tools you may have in the kitchen (chef’s knife, cheese grater, rolling pin) but having a gadget that eases the hassle of grinding, chopping, blending and slicing can feel as if you have a new assistant to help you prep (but not help you clean up!)
Looking for a last-minute Christmas gift? This one might be a good one to chip in with your siblings or another friend or two and give it to that favorite home chef in your life.
image source: http://www.thenibble.com
This is my favorite tool in the kitchen, mostly because it was given as a wedding gift (gifted items are always the most treasured!) I was more than elated when I saw this wonderful Kitchen Aid food processor because 1) I would have NEVER purchased one for myself, 2) it was a beautiful, candy-apple red, 3) this thing is powerful, and 4) I knew I wouldn’t have to make my graham cracker crumbs with a rolling pin and Ziploc bag, anymore! Making basil pesto was faster, easier, and the consistency was much better than using a blender. I also love using it for chopping toasted nuts, which is great if you use a lot of it in your baking and cooking because you can conveniently scoop out whatever you need and keep the rest in an airtight jar.
Here is a recipe that’s quick to make with a food processor. The original recipe can be found at WholeFoodsMarket.com, but I made a few changes to lighten it up a bit and make it dairy-free.
Add anything you want: mushroom, peas, even some grated Parmesan cheese!
Creamy Savory Walnut Sauce, Dairy-Free
don’t let the tofu scare you off, the nutritional yeast and garlic makes it incredibly flavorful, you won’t miss the dairy! You can also use this as a savory dip for veggies or a spread for crackers–just add more tofu to thicken it up.
Ingredients:
1 cup walnuts, toasted
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tablespoons nutritional yeast flakes (can substitute grated Parmesan cheese)
1/2 cup firm Silken Lite Tofu
1/4 cup soy or almond milk
Directions:
In a food processor, pulse toasted walnuts until chopped, about 5-7 times. Add salt through nutritional yeast flakes Pulse 2-3 times until combined. Add Silken Lite tofu, put cover back on. Run the processor and pour soy milk through the chute, blend for 5 seconds or until combined. If too thin, add more tofu. If too thick, add more soy or almond milk.
Creamy, savory walnut sauce–no cream, no cheese!
Heat and serve over pasta with your favorite toppings (mushrooms, chicken, bacon, etc.) Serves 4.
What is your favorite kitchen tool(s)? Where did you get it? What makes it your favorite out of all the other gadgets in your kitchen?
Don’t forget to check out the other favorite Kitchen Gadgets of other Recipe Redux members!
T h e F o o d e r y 
December 21, 2012 at 15:01
Yum! I use nutritional yeast and tofu all the time to make creamy sauce- no one ever realizes that they are vegan! They taste the same as dairy-options. This looks great- just pinned it :)
December 21, 2012 at 15:15
Nutritional yeast is new to me, and it really does add a great flavor to make dishes a bit savory, a bit cheesy-tasting. Though you can’t beat the taste of fresh tofu with soy sauce and ginger, Silken is great for its versatility and shelf life. Thanks for pinning! :D
December 21, 2012 at 15:18
Ohhh, never thought of using food processor for graham cracker crunching! Great idea!
December 21, 2012 at 16:29
What used to take me ten minutes now takes less than two! I fish out the bigger pieces and redo those in a second batch so I get finely chopped cracker crumbs.
December 21, 2012 at 16:00
loved the adding of tofu in a creamy sauce. I have been looking for a good processor since my last one gave up on me recently. Reading lot of reviews, I am convienced that Kitchen Aid or Cuisine Art has the best option out there..
December 21, 2012 at 16:26
This Kitchen Aid processor is quick, easy, and incredibly sharp! My standing mixer is also a Kitchen Aid, an old hand-me-down from my sister, and it’s lasted for about ten years, 5 or 6 moves, and one trip across the country (and ocean!) I hope you give this one a chance, you’ll be chopping and shredding in no time! :)
December 22, 2012 at 07:54
I would love a good, strong food processor like that. And it’s so pretty!
December 22, 2012 at 13:51
It is a great machine, I even tried making homemade cat food in it once and actually ground up the chicken bones, so it’s pretty heavy-duty. Our cats didn’t like the homemade cat food, so that was a one-time thing (I wouldn’t do that again, though…worried I might actually ruin my blade!)
December 26, 2012 at 20:47
Love the MacGyver reference! That is one pretty food processor – they really do work magic in the kitchen,
December 28, 2012 at 17:59
Thanks, the processor seemed like such a luxury-type gift, and now it’s a necessity.