I'm following a recipe that says I need a food processor. What can I use instead?

Question

I'm making a crust for a tart and the recipe says to blend the ingredients in a food processor. I don't wanna spend the 100 dollars for a good one right now and I refuse to buy a cheap one.

Answer 1

Sometimes I hate the people that write recipes. You can easily make a good if not better crust using a pastry cutter or a pair of knives . Using a processor is nice but a bit of over kill. If you are just starting to bake the pastry cutter or knife method is actually better because it allows you to have a progressive tactile experience with the dough. There will be many occasions in baking where knowing whether or not the dough feels right is the difference between an average result and a spectacular result..
Do not use a blender or an electric mixer -be they hand or stand
I agree with maigen obx An 11cup Kitchen Aid Professional food processor is a worthwhile investment-great machine

Answer 2

For a pie crust or anything relatively solid like that, I'm sorry but the only good alternative is to do it by hand with a pastry cutter. Unless you happen to have a dough hook attachment to your electric mixer? If you have a good quality recent model heavy-duty mixer, I think you can buy the dough hook for $30 or less.

For some recipes, using a blender will work as an alternative, but you will burn out your blender very quickly if there is not enough liquid to keep the blades moving freely. So a blender will work for most sauces and soups, for example, but NOT for any kind of dough.

Answer 3

A pastry cutter and your hands should get the job done. When the time comes I recommend the Kitchen-Aid 12 cup food processor. It's $230 but worth every penny. I cut potatoe chips in about 60 seconds. I love this appliance.

Answer 4

You can use a hand mixer, a stand mixer, or even a blender. If you choose to use the blender though, mix your ingredients in small batches because it may clog the blades.

Answer 5

I think using a pastry cutter is best, although a blender might work ok. But you have to be careful with a blender because it can "liquify" in nothing flat! I'd be more comfortable with my pastry cutter and my fingers. Good luck!

Answer 6

Either use two forks to cut the shortening in or a pastry cutter. I do not own a food processor either and it seems to work fine for me. Just be careful not to overwork your dough it will make it tough.

Answer 7

I used to use an old fashioned pastry blender. Or you can use just a coupleof forks. depends on the ingredients. If nuts, you'll have to pulverize them somehow, chop finely, smash with a wooden spoon??? Any friends or neighbors you could borrow one from? Good luck!

Answer 8

Try your blender on a speed equal to the food processor......

Answer 9

pastry cutter. better than food processor anyway and costs about 1 dollar

Answer 10

Two food processors