Tool for chopping/mincing veggies?

[anthasam]

So, I've always just used a knife for cutting veggies. However, now it seems that my kids are more likely to eat the veggies (in soups, sauces, etc), if they are finely chopped.

I don't really want to get a food processor unless it's the only way to go. Any other suggestions for choppers/mincers you love and use often?

I would use it for items like carrots, onions, etc. Thanks!

[HappyMommy2]

Carrots and onions work great in what we call the miracle chopper. I don't think that is the right name though.

It is like a manual food processor. It has a handle on top that kids can spin too. Only has 3 parts to clean. The brand is Ginsu, but I have had a couple others over the years.

[Shantimama]

I have a food chopper from Pampered Chef. I have had it for many years and it still works really well. I like using it to chop hot peppers because all of the juice stays contained while I chop!

I didn't like using it when my kids were little because it was so noisy and they would come running to watch - and see all the vegetables I was chopping for them to eat It kind of backfired on me when I tried to use it the way you re intending!

[CorasMama]

slap your troubles away! (sorry, I couldn't resist!)

[griffin2004]

I love that Pampered Chef food chopper thing. It's $30, but I've had mine probably 15 years or more.

http://www.pamperedchef.com/ordering...&words=chopper

[tbone_kneegrabber]

we have this progressive food chopper, we bought the first one at a thrift store (score) and ds (2 yo) loves to use it to help make dinner. We took it to his preschool one day when they were making vegetable soup (all the kids had a blast using it) and it got broken. I ordered a new one the same day!

[mamatoablessing]

I have this one and it's awesome. I use it almost everyday. I have a Cuisinart too which is a great chopper but it's huge. This one is much more practical and easy to clean.

[anthasam]

Thanks everyone! I am leaning toward the Pampered Chef one...

(Sorry for the slow reply - I posted then left town )

[BaBaBa]

Have you tried a mezzaluna? My knife skills are pretty poor so I use it for fine dices and minces

[MsVyky]

Originally Posted by BaBaBa

Have you tried a mezzaluna? My knife skills are pretty poor so I use it for fine dices and minces

I was going to say the same. Or You could get a slapchop, LOL

(You're gonna have an exciting life)

[Alyantavid]

I had this until I broke it. It chops anything, I loved it.

[velochic]

I've never had to hide veggies from my dd, but funny enough, I have to hide them from my mom, who lives with us and is the world's pickiest eater for the past 70 years!

I've found that the easiest way to do this is to grate them with a simple box grater. No special tools needed.

[JessicaS]

I have a pampered chef "slap chop" type of thing. It goes "BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM BLAM"

I also have one of these

http://www.williams-sonoma.com/produ...olines-slicers

I use my french chef knife the most. I would kind of like a food processor.

[tngirl11]

Originally Posted by anthasam

Thanks everyone! I am leaning toward the Pampered Chef one...

(Sorry for the slow reply - I posted then left town )

I have loved mine for years!

[anthasam]

Originally Posted by velochic

I've never had to hide veggies from my dd, but funny enough, I have to hide them from my mom, who lives with us and is the world's pickiest eater for the past 70 years!

I've found that the easiest way to do this is to grate them with a simple box grater. No special tools needed.

Kids being kids, I don't actually "hide" them -- she helps prepare the meals and she knows the ingredients! She said she just doesn't like to eat "pieces"

We have an awesome box grater, but too often we get added protein from from fingers in the mix

A mezzaluna is an interesting low-tech idea! Thanks!

[MegBoz]

We bought a "slap chop" type of thing years ago & the blade got so dull, it was completely worthless in a matter of months. Sounds like there are others that are good though.

However, we LOVE our food processor, if you want to reconsider. Check out Craig's List (if you don't mind the idea of used food preparation materials, that is! ) DH bought one of those big powerful mixers that retails for like over $300 for $175. Was in great shape - just a woman who doesn't really like to cook, so decided to get rid of it. It was a great buy. Gotta love CL!

If you invest in the food processor, you can use it for other things that a blender just won't work for, like hummus - or puree beans with other spices for different healthy dips & spreads! I also puree lentils in mine to make lentil burgers, which DS (18 mos) loves!