Food Processor Butter

FLAKY FOOD PROCESSOR PIE CRUST

Steps:

• Measure the flour into the processor with the regular blade attached. Add the unsalted butter, cut into cubes, and shortening, cut into cubes. (Your fat should be frozen or very cold. You may vary the proportions, or use some lard, but the total should be 9 tablespoons.) Add salt. Pulse three times with three counts per pulse to lightly mix the ingredients.
• With the motor running, pour ice water into the workbowl just until the dough just starts to get noticeably crumbly. Don't wait until it is a big clump or it will be way too wet and will turn out tough.
• Stop the machine, dump the crumbly dough into a bowl, and gather the dough into a ball with your hand. you can squeeze it a bit to make it stick together. If it just won't form a ball, add a tiny bit more water. (Note that if you are making crust in the food processor, you will use less water than most recipes call for.)
• Wrap your dough ball in wax paper or plastic wrap and chill it about 30 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll it out on a cool surface if you can. Then follow your pie recipe for baking.

BASIC BUTTER COOKIE DOUGH

Steps:

• Place flour, sugar, butter, and salt in the bowl of a food processor; process until mixture is the texture of coarse meal.
• In a small bowl, lightly beat egg yolks and vanilla; with motor running, add to food processor. Process just until a dough forms.

FOOD PROCESSOR BUTTER

Steps:

• Process cream in a food processor until the butter solids have separated from the buttermilk and you see lots of little clumps of butter clinging together distinctly separated from thin milky liquid, 4-7 minutes (unpasteurized cream will separate more quickly). Carefully drain buttermilk; reserve for another use.
• Remove jar with blade still attached. Pour cold water over butter solids left in food processor jar, then drain. Repeat until water runs clear, 3-4 times. Pour off as much water as possible out of jar of food processor, using your hands to hold the butter solids in place while you pour. Continue to process until butter forms a solid ball, about 2 minutes. Pour off water again, then add salt (if using) and process to combine.
• If making compound butter, add ingredients for chosen flavor and process until fully incorporated.
• Transfer butter to a medium bowl lined with a double layer of cheesecloth. Gather cheesecloth up around butter and twist to squeeze until no more liquid runs out of butter. Transfer butter to a sheet of parchment or waxed paper and roll up into a log. Chill until firm, about 1 hour.
• Do Ahead: Butter can be made 5 days ahead. Keep chilled.

HOMEMADE BUTTER

Steps:

• Pour cream into a food processor or blender. Process for 10 minutes, or until the butter separates. Strain off the liquid. Season to taste with salt if you like. Press butter into a small bowl with the back of a spoon to further remove liquid.

FOOD PROCESSOR PEANUT BUTTER

Steps:

• Using the metal blade, process ingredients continuously for 2 to 3 minutes. The ground peanuts will form a ball which will slowly disappear. Continue to process until the desired consistency is obtained. If necessary, stop machine and scrape sides of container with a rubber spatula.
• For crunchy peanut butter, stir in 1/2 cup chopped roasted peanuts after the processing is completed.
• Yields 1 cup creamy or 1-1/2 cups crunchy peanut butter.
• Store in a tightly closed container in the refrigerator. Oil may rise to the top. If this occurs, stir before using.