For years I talked about how badly I wanted a red KitchenAid Stand Mixer. Despite doing quite a bit of baking, I couldn’t justify the price. I must have had some good karma in a past life, or caught C on a good day because for my birthday last year he gifted me one. And just so you know, he was out of town on my birthday and I came home to the biggest and heaviest box of all time. And then I cried tears of joy…
In my mind, it was the ultimate gift anyone could have gotten me because it would get put to use more than anything else in my kitchen. Let’s fast-forward 10 months and I am still obsessed with the aesthetics of my red beauty, but if I’m being honest, it doesn’t get as much use as I thought. I think it’s partially because I don’t have as much time to bake, but also because I have ZERO desire to turn the oven on in the summer. Even though it’s sits out loud and proud on my counter-top it’s distant cousin, Mr. Food Processor (who btw remains hidden in a cupboard above the fridge) gets far more use.
When people ask me what kitchen gadget I most recommend, I always say a food processor. I totally get that they’re expensive and bulky but do yourself a favour and start filling up that piggy bank because it is SO worth it. I should add that I totally didn’t pay for mine. I have to thank my wonderful cousin who gifted me her old one and it still works like a charm!
There are definitely moments where I think it might explode and especially when making almond butter, but he always pulls through. My Mom’s FP has been going strong for 30+ years so I would say the initial investment has paid off ten-fold.
I use my food processor for just about everything. I ain’t got time for finely chopping and shredding. Thank goodness for blade attachments or I would be still be shredding carrots for that Gluten-Free Carrot Cake I made. Okay that’s a bit dramatic, but let’s just say that patience is not my strong suit. Now I get that I spent a whole post discussing why I’m too cheap to buy a spiralizer so you’re probably all judging me for encouraging you to splurge on a food processor, but hear me out. Your spiralizer can make noodles and veggie “rice” (appartently?). My food processor can make nut butter and no-bake bars and balls and shred my veggies and even knead dough! I could probably clean my apartment for me if I asked nicely…
It’s quite possible the amount you spend on snack bars and nut butters could have all been saved towards buying a food processor. I’m not good at math but I’m fairly certain that my years worth of larabars I purchased a few years back could have been spent on buying myself a second one…Okay two food processors might be a bit excessive 😉
PrintNo-Bake Chocolate Blueberry Bars
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups of raw cashews (any nut should work)
- 1 cup dried blueberries*
- 1 cup pitted dates**
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1/3 cup dairy-free chocolate chips or good quality chocolate
Instructions
- Add cashews to food processor and process until broken down (about 30 seconds)
- Add in dried blueberries, dates and sea salt. Process until all comes together in a sticky ball.
- Line a 9 x 9 inch baking pan with plastic wrap.
- Remove “dough” from food processor and place in baking pan. Use your hands to flatten out “dough” making sure it is even and all corners are filled in.
- Place in freezer for 15 minutes.
- Remove from freezer and lift plastic wrap out of pan.
- Cut into 12 bars.
- In a microwave or double-boiler, melt chocolate.
- Add chocolate to a ziploc bag and cut off a small corner.
- Squeeze chocolate out of bag in a zig-zag motion over bars.***
- Store in fridge for several weeks.
*I buy mine for a reasonable price at Costco.
** Dates should be sitcky and if not, soak in hot water for 30 minutes before processing.
***Alternatively just spread melted chocolate over bars with a knife.
What’s your favourite kitchen gadget? Do you own a food processor?
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33 Comments
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape
June 16, 2014 at 5:00 amPerfect snack bar! Two thumbs up from my hubby who is sitting beside me! 🙂
Helen @ Scrummy Lane
June 15, 2014 at 9:31 pmEnjoyed this post because I can never work out what the difference is between a food processor, a Kitchen Aid, a mixer (are they the same thing?), a blender etc. etc. etc. … and even when I can manage it I don’t know whether I need all of them or whether just an FP will do. To be honest, I’ve had the same tiny little cheap FP for years and although it’s got bits and pieces missing and/or broken and/or hanging off, it still never lets me down! I might get a new one soon though because it’s a little small now that I’m a bit more of a serious ‘foodie’!
As for the bars, totally approve. I was staying with my parents recently (without cranky old FP) and was buying something quite similar from the supermarket. I was thinking how easy they would be to make – and obviously they are! Love that you’ve obliterated the blueberries in there, too!
Abby @ BackAtSquareZero
June 15, 2014 at 7:41 pmThese look amazing. I do not yet own a food processor, but I really want to.
I am using the thought of owning one as a reward, bribe for some goals I am working on.
Min
June 15, 2014 at 6:42 pmA food processor def is a must! I’ve also been using my mandoline quite a bit lately. These bars look so so good. What a perfect snack! Love that it’s super easy to make with minimal ingredients. Pinned!
Chelsea @ Chelsea's Healthy Kitchen
June 15, 2014 at 5:58 pmMy food processor is hands down my favourite appliance too. I never use it for shredding though – I’m too lazy to clean it and I figure just shredding them with a handheld grater is easier. 😛
Also TGFC (thank goodness for Costco) eh? Love that it has such good deals on pricey items like dried blueberries and pine nuts!
Amanda
June 15, 2014 at 5:52 pmI’m SUCH a sucker for kitchen gadgets… like, even the “As Seen on TV” shit, hahaha! Can I pick the microwave? I’d die w/o my microwave! hahaha
Ilana
June 15, 2014 at 5:51 pmAll the best ingredients in one bar! These look delicious!
Mary Frances
June 15, 2014 at 4:51 pmI leave for one week (ONE WEEK!) and you post some killer scones and shrimp salad! And now this. Oh.my.word. Blueberries and chocolate together in one bar? Hooray for food processors! I definitely use it more than anything else in the kitchen. I don’t have a KitchenAid but I’ve always wanted one … my Dad didn’t want anymore counter décor thought 😉 Love these bars and the fact that they are cashew based! That makes them so smooth and rich!
Becky @ Olives n Wine
June 15, 2014 at 3:33 pmI am still going to go with my KitchenAid 😉 It’s seriously my favorite thing ever, especially the little juice add-on that I use to make fresh OJ… almost never, ha! I don’t have a food processor but I have a Ninja, that’s basically the same thing, right? Maybe? No… okay. Well, once I finally have enough space in my kitchen to add more appliances, you better bet I’ll be getting a food processing gadget!
Alison @ Daily Moves and Grooves
June 15, 2014 at 3:16 pmI have the privilege of using my mom’s food processor, and I’d say it’s in the top two favorites (along with the Blendtec). It makes me bars like this and peanut butter banana soft serve, sooooo I obviously love it.
Kim
June 15, 2014 at 12:57 pmDoes a crock pot count?! It is my favorite kitchen tool.
I have a food processor that I barely use – it’s just a small one – not super big!! I would probably use it more often but Chris actually likes to chop veggies!!!
Lauren
June 15, 2014 at 11:15 amBlueberries, cashews, dates and chocolate – oh hello! Some of my favourite foods in bar form – boom!
I have a food processor but it is not the most powerful. It does a good job though and I bloody love it.