If you’re looking to drop a few, you might want to give your food processor some love. Many of us praise the kitchen appliance for its cookie, cake, and pie-prepping capabilities, but it's actually a great resource for making fast, weight-loss friendly dishes, too.
From avo-oil mayo to cauliflower pizza crust, our weight-loss experts reveal all the ways you can make your food processor your secret pounds-dropping weapon.
Why: "Edamame is a good source of lean protein and healthy fat to keep your belly full," says Alissa Rumsey, R.D., spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
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How: In food processor, combine one cup of cooked edamame (buy frozen, shelled edamame and steam it on the stovetop) with 1/4 cup tahini, two tablespoons lemon juice, and one garlic clove. Process until smooth. With food processor running, slowly drizzle two tablespoons of olive oil through the feed tube. Process until combined.
Why: Many peanut butter brands have lots of added sugar, which can spike your blood sugar and make you hungrier later. By making your own, you control what goes into it, says Rumsey.
How: Roast two cups of raw, shelled peanuts at 350 F for about 10 minutes. Transfer peanuts to the food processor and pulse a few times until they're chopped. Run the food processor for one minute, then stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl, then process for another one to two minutes, until the peanut butter is thick and smooth. "You can add a sprinkle of salt, drizzle of honey, or even some spices," she says. Cinnamon-spice peanut butter, anyone?
Why: "White-flour pizza crust is low in fiber and digests quickly, which leads to feeling hungry soon after eating," says Rumsey. By using cauliflower, you add more fiber and a serving of veggies to your meal.
How: Place a pizza stone in an oven that's preheating to 450 F. Cover the stone with a sheet of parchment paper coated with cooking oil. As the oven is warming, remove florets from one head of cauliflower and add to a food processor. Blend it up until the cauliflower resembles flour. Transfer cauliflower to a microwave safe bowl and microwave for four minutes. Let the cauliflower cool completely, then place it in a paper towel and wring it dry. Mix cauliflower in a large bowl with one egg, 1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano and basil, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and crushed red pepper. Mix together with your hands until it forms dough. Roll the dough out on a cutting board until it is about 1/6 inch thick. Place dough on the hot pizza stone and bake for 8 to 10 minutes, or until golden brown. Top with sauce and veggies and bake for five minutes.
Why: Whole-grain oat flour has more fiber to keep you fuller longer, says Rumsey.
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How: Add one cup of old-fashioned rolled oats to food processor and process until they resemble flour. Use that flour to make an oatmeal cookie dough breakfast. Combine 1/4 cup oat flour with one mashed banana, one tablespoon of peanut butter, a dash of cinnamon, and 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Stir together until it looks like cookie dough. "Spoon into a bowl and top with plain Greek yogurt and a tablespoon or two of walnuts," she says. YUM!
Why: Since they're rich in satisfying monounsaturated fats, protein, and fiber, these brownies will keep you feeling full, says Janie Zeitlin, R.D.
How: In a 6:4:1 ratio, add raw, unsalted walnuts, almonds, and cacao powder (not cocoa) into the food processor. Add lots of chia seeds and any other spices you love (you can even include ground espresso beans if you need an extra kick). Stop here if you're a dark chocolate lover. Otherwise, throw in three medjool dates to sweeten. Blend until creamy, and spread it evenly on parchment paper. Serve at room temperature, or chilled, and enjoy.
Why: Avocados contain tons of healthy monounsaturated fats, plus they're a tasty alternative to mayo.
How: Puree Hass avocados in a food processor and add olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. You can make it thick for dipping, or thin it out to use as a dressing. "Add cayenne pepper to spice things up and help keep your appetite under control," says Zeitlin. (Find out how you can use bone broth to boost your weight-loss results.)
Why: "An egg, or any lean protein for that matter, is a sure way to keep your blood sugar controlled so you can stay on track with your nutritional goals," says Zeitlin.
How: Combine two to three hard-boiled egg yolks with avocado, white beans, and hummus to taste in a food processor. Add in mustard (yellow or Dijon), lemon or lime, turmeric or cumin, and a dash of salt and pepper. Scoop the filling into the egg whites, cut lengthwise, and garnish with scallions or paprika.
Why: Wild salmon is an excellent source of lean protein, which is so vital to weight loss, says Zeitlin.
How: Combine cooked boneless, skinless salmon with mustard and lemon juice in a food processor. Pulse until chopped. (Don't puree.) Add in diced celery and serve chilled.
Why: "This mashed veggie recipe hits the spot every time and is an excellent source of protein and fiber," says Zeitlin.
How: In a 2:1 ratio, combine steamed cauliflower and one percent cottage cheese in a food processor until pureed. Add shredded parmesan cheese and garlic to taste.
Why: This dip replaces pine nuts, which are high in saturated fat, with sunflower seeds that are high in polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats (you know, the good fats), says Stacey Antine, R.D. author of Appetite for Life.
How: In a food processor, pulse four cups fresh basil leaves, 1/4 cup hulled raw sunflower seeds, two cloves garlic, 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, and 1/2 teaspoon sea salt until finely chopped. Keep the food processor running, and add five tablespoons low-sodium vegetable broth (or water) and two tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil through feed tube. Transfer pesto to medium bowl and fold in 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese.
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