Cuisinart - A Name I Trust

I purchased this with a gift certificate my husband gave me for Christmas. I went shopping with my daughter, and I had decided that I wanted something nice for my kitchen. We both decided that a blender to make health drinks in would be just the item to get.

So, we wandered to the kitchen appliance area of Marshall Fields, and there was a woman demonstrating the food processor part of the blender/processor combination unit. What a coincidence! She had made bruschetta (spelling?) and we talked to her quite a bit about the advantages of having a blender and food processor together in one unit. The price was a real bargain, so the decision was made and I took it home.

My daughter primarily uses the blender to make her health drinks. I don't think I've used the blender more than once or twice. But, I've heard no complaints from her about it.

I am the type of person that takes pride in everything I do. So, when I cook, I like to cook from scratch. I don't cook everyday, though. I used to, but since my kids are grown and meal-time is very unpredictable, I only cook a couple times a week. My husband does not complain, we just get in the car and go out to eat. But, nothing beats a home cooked meal.

I have purchased time-saving gadgets in the past (non-electric), like a small food chopper for my onions and nuts, and a mandolin to slice my tomatoes and potatoes, etc. I've used those items a lot. So, the idea of having an electric food processor wasn't something that I absolutely had to have. But, anyways, one day I was looking at this thing sitting in my cupboard getting very little use, when I thought to myself "why not give it a try"?

I decided to make meatloaf with potatoes au gratin. Husband was in for a treat since we've been married 18 years already and I'd never made potatoes au gratin. It chopped everything I needed for the meatloaf in a snap. It even minced my couple of cloves of garlic. I wasn't sure it would do that, but it did. And the potatoes were sliced perfectly. The cheese was grated perfectly too. There's only one problem with this machine - I can't find a fine grater disc for it. I'd like to be able to grate parmesan cheese with it. The 3-cup capacity work bowl is small, but it is adequate for my needs. I'm usually only cooking for a few people anyway and I really don't mind emptying the bowl when it gets full.

I like it so much now, that I'm convinced I need a bigger one that has more attachments. If I do decide to purchase another food processor there is one thing for certain... it will be a Cuisinart. And my two-in-one blender/food processor will go to my daughter, who is becoming quite the cook herself!

I don't store it anymore, it sits out on the counter where it can get used and not forgotten. Easy enough to clean, everything comes apart easily. I usually clean everything up by handwashing, although it's dishwasher safe (not the base). The base is easy to clean with just a wipe of a soapy dishcloth. Still looks like new!

Included are:
Food pusher,
Bowl cover with feed tube,
Reversible stainless steel slicing (thin) and shredding (medium) disc,
Removable chopping blade,
Removable adapter stem,
Clear plastic work bowl for food processor,
Glass pitcher for blender,
Instruction manual with recipes,
Blender/Food Processor share the base.

Unit is easy to assemble and easy to clean.