4
TIPS FOR
PROCESSING FOOD
Preparing the Food
Size
Always cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces
of even size – about
1
⁄
2
inch (12 mm). If you don’t
start with pieces that are small and uniform, you will
not get an even chop.
Quantity
Do not overload the work bowl. Overloading causes
inconsistent results and it strains the motor. Use the
quantities given in the recipe section as a guide.
As a rule of thumb, remember that after being
processed, food should not reach more than
2
⁄
3
of
the way up the central hub of the blade assembly.
Note:
Due to the powerful motor provided with this
unit, Cuisinart recommends using one hand to
support the Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food Processor during
operation.
Selecting the Right Operating Control
Use the
chop
function for chopping, puréeing and
mixing. It is the right choice, for example, for chop-
ping soft, fragile food such as herbs, celery, onions,
garlic and most cheeses. It is also the right choice
for puréeing cooked vegetables, making mayon-
naise and mixing salad dressing.
Pulse action is best when you are using the chop
function. Two or three pulses are often enough. Be
sure to check the food frequently to prevent over-
processing. If you overprocess, you are likely to get
a watery paste instead of a fine chop.
Use the
grind
function for grinding spices, and for
chopping hard food such as peppercorns, seeds,
chocolate and nuts.
Continuous-hold action is best when you are using
the grind function. You may have to operate the
Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food Processor for several
seconds with some food to achieve the desired
results – as long as 20 seconds for some seeds.
When you operate the unit for more than
10 seconds, use a pulse action every 10 seconds or
so to allow food to drop to the bottom of the work
bowl. This provides more consistent results.
Never operate the Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food Processor
continuously for longer than 1 minute at a time.
Note:
The work bowl and cover may become
scratched when you use them for grinding grains
and spices. This does not affect the performance of
the Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food Processor. However, you
may want to reserve the original bowl for grinding,
and purchase an additional bowl and cover set for
other uses.
These are available from the Cuisinart Customer
Service Department, which you can reach by dialing
our toll-free number: 800-472-7606.
Adding Liquid
You can add liquids such as water, oil or flavour-
ing while the machine is running. For example, you
might want to add oil when making mayonnaise or
salad dressing.
Pour the liquid through one of the two openings in
the cover.
IMPORTANT:
Add liquid through only one opening
at a time. The other opening must be left free to
allow air to escape. If both openings are blocked,
liquid cannot flow smoothly into the bowl.
Removing Food from the Sides of the Bowl
Occasionally food will stick to the sides of the bowl
as you process. Stop the machine to clear food
away. AFTER THE BLADE HAS STOPPED MOVING,
remove the cover, and use the spatula to scrape
the food from the sides of the bowl back into the
center. Do not put hands into bowl unless unit is
unplugged.
PROCESSING FOOD
1.
Place the work bowl firmly on the motor base
and insert the blade assembly.
Opening at
back of bowl must face column at back of the
Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food Processor. Turn counter-
clockwise to lock in place.
2.
Place food in the work bowl.
Be sure the food
is cut in small pieces, and the bowl is not
overloaded.
3.
Lock the cover into position.
Note:
Due to the powerful motor provided with
this unit, Cuisinart recommends using one hand
to support the Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food Processor
during operation.
4.
Press the appropriate chop or grind Control,
depending on the food you are processing.
5. When you have finished processing the food,
stop the machine by releasing the control
button.
6.
WHEN THE BLADE STOPS MOVING,
remove the cover.
7.
Unplug the unit.
8.
Carefully remove the blade assembly,
holding it by the handle on the top of the sheath.
NEVER TOUCH THE BLADE ITSELF.
9.
Remove food with the spatula.
Note: Do not operate the Mini-Prep
®
Plus Food
Processor without food contents in work bowl.
Tip:
Process foods in order from dry to wet to avoid
having to clean bowl and blade between each
task.
TO REMOVE PREP BOWL
1. Turn the work bowl cover clockwise and
remove.
2. Turn the work bowl clockwise to unlock and lift
off of the base.
