Get prep help with a food processor
Kitchen essential
Brilliant all-rounder
EXPERT PREP PRO FP1300U, £250, CUISINART
This impressive machine comes with two different-sized bowls – 0.95ltr and 3ltr – and an array of attachments including a small chopping/mixing blade, a large chopping/mixing blade, a dough blade, a grating disc and an adjustable slicing disc.
THE BEST BIT Fancy having a go at spiralising? There’s a handy extra attachment for that, too.
Powerful machine
SFP820BAL THE KITCHEN WIZZ PEEL AND DICE, £499, SAGE
With its solid design and huge 3.7ltr bowl (plus 1ltr bowl), this is ideal for keen cooks. The 12 attachments are stored neatly in a case and, with 2000w, it’s the most powerful model here. But there’s also a handy pulse setting to help control the chopping.
THE BEST BIT Innovative potato peeler for up to seven skins at a time.
Countertop hero
COOK EXPERT, £1,195, MAGIMIX
Much like the Kitchenaid model, this compact multi-tasking machine whisks, kneads, proves and cooks a variety of foods in the metal bowl, with straightforward blending and grating in the other bowls. With 13 automatic programs, just add the ingredients, sit back and let it make dinner for you. THE BEST BIT Although compact, it will whip up meals for up to 12 people.
Great-value design
COMPACT MCM3501MGB FOOD PROCESSOR, £99.99, BOSCH
A superb-value 800w processor to help you expand your culinary skills and save time. It comes with a 1ltr blender, 500g and 2.3ltr mixing bowl, and useful accessories including blade, dough hook, disc for beating, plus the usual slicing, dicing and grating tools. THE BEST BIT It’s super-quick to assemble and has dishwasher-safe parts
The one that cooks
ARTISAN COOK PROCESSOR, £899, KITCHENAID
This large 10.1kg retro-style kit chops, whisks, dices and purées ingredients before cooking them, so you can rustle up a stir-fry or soup, even knead and prove dough – just two of the dozens of recipes included – all in one pot.
THE BEST BIT Mini chopper bowl and steamer baskets, along with usual tools.