I wanted to start this thread for actual reviews of use for this product as opposed to the other threads where people are talking about other aspects of it.
I got mine today and immediately went to make three things:
First up was the salsa.
I used the same salsa fresca recipe I've always used, that was in the Fall 07 catalog when the salad chopper came out, and is the same one that is on the PIG for the MFP, I believe. I've always made this salsa without measuring and just threw things in.
After wedging the onion on the Veggie Wedger (which worked wonders, and I even managed to cut the onion into 12 wedges), I placed 5 of them (2.5 normal wedges) into the MFP, with a handful of cilantro, and 2 cloves of garlic. The pump mechanism worked smoothly and I had no problem processing it until it was coarse. I then added 2 roma tomatoes cut into wedges on the veggie wedger and processed. The mixture immediately became very thick and I knew I couldn't add the remaining tomatoes without emptying it. So, I emptied that into a bowl and did the 2 other tomatoes. Add some lime juice and salt, and I had a tasty salsa.
Salsa Verdict: Delicious, but not the same consistency that I get when I do it with the salad chopper, though much easier on my hands. Next time, i'll do the tomatoes separate from the onions, or just make a smaller bitch. I do wish this machine were bigger. Some of my tomatoes weren't evenly chopped, but I think it was because I had too many in there.
Next up: Tuna Salad
I threw in a few wedges of onion that I cut before, and 2 sticks of celery that I cut into 4 pieces each. A few pumps later and it was a beautiful fine chop. Definitely recommend it for this. Then, I added 2 cans of drained solid white tuna and processed it all together. I like how it made the tuna nice and fine. If you like a chunkier tuna salad, don't process the tuna. Dumped it all into a bowl, added some mayonnaise and it was a great consistency. I didn't try processing it with the mayonnaise. I may have to do that next just to see. Then, just for fun, I added some Chili Lime Rub to the tuna. It gave it a nice flavor!
Tuna Salad Verdict: Great for this -- I love how nicely it chopped the onions and celery. I'll definitely use it again. But, I wish this machine were bigger. Three cups isn't a lot.
Finally, Strawberry Ice.
I followed this recipe exactly, except I may have used too many strawberries. Eventually some of the strawberries in the middle weren't getting processed. Once I added the sugar mixture though, they processed beautifully. I love the final texture of it and I can't wait to have some later. I love that it's the consistency of ice cream, so it's great for Weight Watchers. I'll definitely be making this often and trying other fruits!
Strawberry Ice Verdict: Get thee to the supermarket fast and buy some frozen fruit to make this!
As a final bonus, I had some additional frozen strawberries that I decided to process plain just to see if it would work in the MFP. It chopped them up quite nicely with no problem at all. I don't know what I'll do now with my tiny chunks of frozen strawberries though. I guess I'll just eat them.
Final Verdict
It's a fun machine, and I'm glad I have it -- even though I have a regular food processor. It certainly won't replace my full-size, but it's a nice companion to it. I definitely love it better than the FC for cutting up onions, celery, etc. I'm looking forward to trying it again for other things, and for redoing my salsa later on.
I don't think it will revolutionize our shows, but I do think it will enable us to do fun things. The strawberry ice alone is perfect for the summer. It's definitely something I would recommend. I'd give it 4 out of 5 chef hats.
****************
Now, I ask that you share your comments on my review, or reviews of your actual use. How about we refrain from empty comments such as "I think it sucks" or "I think it's great!" unless you have actual examples to back it up.
I'm such a teacher. I embrace it.
I got mine today and immediately went to make three things:
- Salsa
- Tuna Salad
- Strawberry Ice (from the new SBRC)
First up was the salsa.
I used the same salsa fresca recipe I've always used, that was in the Fall 07 catalog when the salad chopper came out, and is the same one that is on the PIG for the MFP, I believe. I've always made this salsa without measuring and just threw things in.
After wedging the onion on the Veggie Wedger (which worked wonders, and I even managed to cut the onion into 12 wedges), I placed 5 of them (2.5 normal wedges) into the MFP, with a handful of cilantro, and 2 cloves of garlic. The pump mechanism worked smoothly and I had no problem processing it until it was coarse. I then added 2 roma tomatoes cut into wedges on the veggie wedger and processed. The mixture immediately became very thick and I knew I couldn't add the remaining tomatoes without emptying it. So, I emptied that into a bowl and did the 2 other tomatoes. Add some lime juice and salt, and I had a tasty salsa.
Salsa Verdict: Delicious, but not the same consistency that I get when I do it with the salad chopper, though much easier on my hands. Next time, i'll do the tomatoes separate from the onions, or just make a smaller bitch. I do wish this machine were bigger. Some of my tomatoes weren't evenly chopped, but I think it was because I had too many in there.
Next up: Tuna Salad
I threw in a few wedges of onion that I cut before, and 2 sticks of celery that I cut into 4 pieces each. A few pumps later and it was a beautiful fine chop. Definitely recommend it for this. Then, I added 2 cans of drained solid white tuna and processed it all together. I like how it made the tuna nice and fine. If you like a chunkier tuna salad, don't process the tuna. Dumped it all into a bowl, added some mayonnaise and it was a great consistency. I didn't try processing it with the mayonnaise. I may have to do that next just to see. Then, just for fun, I added some Chili Lime Rub to the tuna. It gave it a nice flavor!
Tuna Salad Verdict: Great for this -- I love how nicely it chopped the onions and celery. I'll definitely use it again. But, I wish this machine were bigger. Three cups isn't a lot.
Finally, Strawberry Ice.
I followed this recipe exactly, except I may have used too many strawberries. Eventually some of the strawberries in the middle weren't getting processed. Once I added the sugar mixture though, they processed beautifully. I love the final texture of it and I can't wait to have some later. I love that it's the consistency of ice cream, so it's great for Weight Watchers. I'll definitely be making this often and trying other fruits!
Strawberry Ice Verdict: Get thee to the supermarket fast and buy some frozen fruit to make this!
As a final bonus, I had some additional frozen strawberries that I decided to process plain just to see if it would work in the MFP. It chopped them up quite nicely with no problem at all. I don't know what I'll do now with my tiny chunks of frozen strawberries though. I guess I'll just eat them.
Final Verdict
It's a fun machine, and I'm glad I have it -- even though I have a regular food processor. It certainly won't replace my full-size, but it's a nice companion to it. I definitely love it better than the FC for cutting up onions, celery, etc. I'm looking forward to trying it again for other things, and for redoing my salsa later on.
I don't think it will revolutionize our shows, but I do think it will enable us to do fun things. The strawberry ice alone is perfect for the summer. It's definitely something I would recommend. I'd give it 4 out of 5 chef hats.
****************
Now, I ask that you share your comments on my review, or reviews of your actual use. How about we refrain from empty comments such as "I think it sucks" or "I think it's great!" unless you have actual examples to back it up.
I'm such a teacher. I embrace it.