Braun Multiquick 5
This claims to be a 'unique food preparation center for small and large jobs', thanks to a clever two bowl combination – a small blender and a large multi-functional bowl that coexist on the same food processor base.
What we liked: Its main advantage is the ability to do multiple processing jobs without the need to keep cleaning up. The small chopper bowl runs from 1,200 to 10,000 RPM – the slower speeds mean you can chop onions or other soft vegetables, the higher ones easily produce smooth purees or dips. Prepared ingredients can be added to the larger bowl for further processing. The big bowl is useful for a variety of heavy duty tasks – mixing or blending up to two litres of liquids, dealing with up to 1.5kg of dough or chopping/slicing meat. It comes with a good selection of tools for dough, whipping, grating, slicing, shredding and chopping. There's even a French fries attachment! Overall, it's functional and practical, sturdy and good-looking.
What we didn't like: The main advantage of the Multiquick 5 is also its weak point – the two bowl system means it takes up a lot of space. There are some issues with chopping soft vegetables like onions, in that the final chopped sizes are not easy to control and they are not always uniform. These seem like small niggles though, in what is otherwise a great machine for food enthusiasts. It feels as if it will stand up to a lot of use, so it probably isn't ideal if you're only likely to use it once in a while.
To buy: Dhs785, available at leading outlets and supermarkets.
Kitchen Aid Artisan 5KPM775
This high-end food processor is made of die-cast metal for durability and has an induction motor that automatically adjusts its speed for the job in hand. Attachments included are a 2.8 litre work bowl and 950 ml mini bowl, among other great features like numerous blades and attachments. It also has a unique feature that can be adapted to make desserts such as meringues.
What we liked: The slicer attachment makes it perfect for chopping, dicing and juliennes. It’s extremely user-friendly and convenient, as the mini bowl can hold more than one ingredient without having to wash the large bowl midway to continue the recipe. The dough kneads evenly and can be used to make cookie dough and bread.
What we didn’t like: I struggled to find a complaint with the machine, but if I had to say something, it would be that the mini bowl has to be pulled hard to remove, which can cause the items inside to fall out. I also noticed that once washed, the handle was filled with moisture and took time to air out. While a great gadget, it isn’t, however, for those who prefer a less noisy option.
To buy: Dhs2,350, available at Al Ghandi Electronics outlets.
Moulinex Masterchef 8000
This sleek food processor comes in various colours and not only looks great on the kitchen counter, but is also highly functional, with its multiple attachments. It includes a staggering variety of accessories such as a juice extractor with a metal grid for more powerful juice extraction, blender, metal whisk, dough blade, citrus press, metal disc for thin slicing and grating, metal blade, spatula and various bowls.
What we liked: Though a processor is intended for other, much tougher tasks, I decided to begin with the citrus press, which worked perfectly to extract all the juice possible. Speed can be adjusted according to your liking; however, recommended speeds are indicated on the device with a symbol – which is rather helpful for someone like me who isn't fond of reading manuals. The slicer is perfect for chopping and julienning, while blending makes the task much easier than usual – the attachment is great for chutneys, soups and dips.
What we didn’t like: If you aren’t good with diagrams it might take a bit of time to figure out how to assemble the attachments. That said, there is a detailed manual for those who like to thoroughly read the instructions before setting up!
To buy: Dhs889, available at leading outlets and supermarkets.
