4
TIPS FOR PROCESSING FOOD
Preparing the Food
Size
Always cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces
of even size – about ½ to ¾ inch (12mm) in size
or as specified in the Operating Techniques Chart
on pages 6 and 7. 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.
As a rule of thumb, most foods should not reach
more than
2
⁄3 of the way up the work bowl. Use the
quantities given in the following chart and recipe
section as a guide.
NOTE: Due to the powerful motor provided with
this unit, it is recommended to use one hand to
support the Cuisinart
®
Core Custom
™
Series 4-Cup
Chopper/Grinder during operation.
Selecting the Right Operating Control
Use the Chop function for chopping, puréeing
and mixing. It is the right choice, for example, for
chopping soft, delicate foods such as herbs, celery,
onions, garlic and most cheeses. It is also the right
choice for puréeing cooked vegetables, making
mayonnaise, 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
overprocessing. 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 foods such as peppercorns, seeds,
chocolate and nuts.
Continuous-hold action is best when you are
using the Grind function. You may have to run the
Cuisinart
®
Core Custom
™
Series 4-Cup Chopper/
Grinder for several seconds with some foods to
achieve the desired results – or 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.
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 Cuisinart
®
Core Custom
™
Series 4-Cup
Chopper/Grinder. However, you may want to reserve
the original bowl for grinding these items and
purchase an additional bowl and cover set for other
uses. You can order an additional work bowl/cover
by calling our Consumer Service Center toll-free
at 1-800-726-0190.
Adding Liquid
You can add liquids such as water, oil or flavoring
while the machine is running. For example, you
might want to add oil when making mayonnaise or
salad dressing. Pour the liquid through 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.
NOTE: HANDLE WITH CARE – the blade is razor
sharp.
PROCESSING FOOD
1. Place the work bowl firmly on the motor
base. Opening at back of bowl must face
column at back of the Cuisinart
®
Core Custom
™
Series 4-Cup Chopper/Grinder base. Turn bowl
clockwise to lock in place.
2. Insert the SmartPower
®
Blade. Carefully pick
up the blade by its hub and place on the center
stem until it drops to the bottom of the stem.
Firmly push to lock the blade into position.
NEVER TOUCH THE BLADE ITSELF AS THE
BLADE IS RAZOR SHARP.
3. Place food in the assembled work bowl. Be
sure the food is cut into even, small pieces, and
the bowl is not overloaded.
4. Lock the cover into position.
5. Press the appropriate Chop or Grind paddle,
depending on the food you are processing.
6. When you have finished processing the food,
stop the machine by releasing the control
paddle.
7. WHEN THE BLADE STOPS MOVING,
unplug the unit.
8. Remove cover and work bowl.
a. Turn work bowl cover counterclockwise to
remove.
b. Turn work bowl counterclockwise to unlock it
and lift it off base.
9. To remove liquids and sauces from bowl:
Simply pour ingredients out of work bowl.
Our convenient BladeLock System keeps blade
safely in place.
10. To remove thicker ingredients from bowl:
Carefully remove the SmartPower
®
Blade by
holding the stem on the top and gently pulling
up to disengage blade lock. Remove food with
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