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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?
My blender is definitely my favorite kitchen tool since it also plays the role of a food processor for me haha! Great recipe, love the blueberry + chocolate combo 🙂
My food processor is by FAR my favorite kitchen gadget. Not only does it make delicious goodness for my tummy, it also cuts up soap for my homemade laundry detergent! It’s the perfect life partner!
I bought a food processor on a whim a year ago (or maybe it’s two now; I can’t remember anymore) but it has since become my favorite kitchen appliance. Seriously, have you seen that thing shred cheese. It’s like magic and all your digits stay in tact. I use mine for copious amounts of pesto and chopping nuts for my many batches of granola. It works like a dream, and I think it only ended up being like $50. Not too shabby for a food processor. 🙂
Second favorite appliance is my immersion blender because I put down soup like a champ.
I need a food processor…I rely on my Blentec for just about anything, but when it comes to using dates I need something else. I’ve done it with the blender for pie crust, but…I JUST NEED A FOOD PROCESSOR! These look so delicious, and perfect for a HIKE!
these bars looks so yummy; i love chocolate and blueberries together. a stand-mixer was on my list for a long time, but i think i probably wouldn’t use it that much either. i got a vitamix last year, my most expensive and used piece of kitchen equipment, but a food processor is next on my list. but i am lucky that my mom lives so close, and let’s me use her processor!
Why have I never thought of Costco for bluebs? just put them on my list for today… these are similar to those chia bars I am obsessed with from Nica… so obv I’m making them tonight. xoxo
SO TRUE ABOUT THE COST OF NUT BUTTERS TO FOOD PROCESSOR. It’s insane the amount of money I save on snack bars.
Perfect snack bar! Two thumbs up from my hubby who is sitting beside me! 🙂
Enjoyed 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!
These 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.
A 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!