Hope wrote:
> hi there,
>
> I was given a Moulinex Odacio 3 food processor recently. I've always
> wanted one, but now I'm a bit daunted by it and the couple of times
> I've used it it hasn't done quite what I expected. Before I go back
> to my stab blender and big knife :-) can I ask if there is anyone here
> who is a virtuoso food processor user who can offer me a few tips?
>
> Things like... grating: I'm left almost instantly with a slice that
> won't grate (slips between the holder and the spinning blade. Is it
> me or is it supposed to be like this?
>
> Even with teh blender. I tried to puree some cooked
> chickpeas/garbanzos in the blender (there's a blender as well as a
> food processor bit) and it was really hard! They kept kind of
> avoiding the blade. Then there's the tiny little blender for small
> quantities- that didn't work for the garbanzos either. I'm sure that
> it's me that's the problem. I feel like a new computer user saying "I
> can't get it to do anything!" about a new PC.
>
> Anyone who can help I'd be really grateful.
>
>
> Hope
>

Your results will vary based on the food processor you get. I have the
11 cup kitchenaid, which is normally overkill for food for 2 people; but
I am a nutcase and just like to cook. It dims the kitchen lights when
it's running!

That being said, even something as automatic as the food processor can
give different results based on human intervention. I haven't figured
out what to do for stuff that sticks and spins around after everything
else is done. Generally, I'm grinding up such a volume of food that I
just keep adding it in -- ultimately all the stuff spinning around gets
stuck against the newly-added food and begins to break down.

As for the puree blade, consider the following:

#1 Use the pulse setting. Quick pulses will send the food airborne
inside, instead of throwing it to the sides. The full setting is kind
of what you do last.

#2 Add liquid. The liquid will motivate the food to work its way down
towards the blade from the sides.

#3 Prepare a larger volume. I can't puree half a cup of something in my
main tub. Most of it gets under the blade and cannot be brought back
up. With more food, this isn't a problem.