I have both....and a hand held blender.
I use the Cuisinart FP more than the blender and the hand held combined.
I only use the blender for pureeing things like a small amount of berries. For a larger amount I use the hand held and for chopping slicing, shredding and mixing doughs...I use the FP.
For my money the mini cuisinart is not worth the money....because it only does part of what the big one does.
I couldn't cook without a good food processor. I have been known to take it on vacation when I know I will be cooking.

Like LindaC, I have a blender, a food processor and a hand held "boat motor" type blender. I never use that darned thing, I haven't found one single thing it's good for. My first one was a used one from GoodWill, Elery told me it didn't work well and he brought me his bigger and more expensive one. It doesn't work any better, IMO.

The blender gets used a bit more, Ashley uses it for smoothies and for frozen strawberry margarita type drinks. I used it Friday night to puree the tomatillos, etc. when making the sauce for Ann T's stacked enchiladas.

The food processor gets used the most, but still not a lot. I make hummus, I use it on the rare occasion I make pasta, I use it during canning season to shred cabbage for kraut. I use it to shop meat for sausage, I like to make my own instead of buying it.

I don't use it for pastry dough because the dough always gets too hot and I have to put it into the freezer for half an hour, it's faster and easier to just use a hand held pastry blender and less mess to wash. I don't use it to chop vegetables because I mostly turn them into puree, the pieces are either too big or they're soup. If I'm going to grate just a little cheese, the microplane is handier, faster and again, easier to clean.

So, do I like it? Oh yeah. Do I use it more than the blender. Probably. Would I use it to make smoothies? Probably not.

I've never had a mini-food processor, so I can't tell you about that.

Annie

Well, I love my mini cuisinart, and never ever use my stick blender. I use my food processor frequently, my blender not as often. Made bread in the KA mixer today. They are all sitting at the ready on my counters, for whatever whim may strike me. Except that silly stick blender.

Sherry

I love my mini cuisinart too. Takes up less space and does a great job on what I need. The only reason I would want a full sized FP is to process huge batches of stuff for canning. Otherwise, I like slicing and dicing.

The blender doesn't get used very often, probably because it was always used for fattening stuff - think milk shakes!

You could look at the cuisianrt FP binder combo it has one base unit that both the FP bowl and the blinder work on. I have the Braum Multiquick stick blinder itÂs supposed to chop, whisk and blend but the only thing I ever use it for is making salad dressing. It works well and itÂs easy to clean but it didnÂt really come with a lot of instructions. It says its chops ice but I have never tried it I need to take some time and play around with it. I only use my mini cuisianrt for nuts and a few small things but never for vegetables. I donÂt have a blinder but I do have a 1940Âs Hamilton Beach 3 head malt maker that gets a work out in the summer.

Claudia

I have a KA mini chopper, a VitaMix, and a stick blender. No food processor.

The mini-chopper probably gets the most use. I keep it on the counter and use it for chopping onions (a task I detest), making small batches of hummus or large amounts of herbs.

I've used the stick blender exactly once, to make salad dressing. DH uses it now and then to puree cooked veggies for thickening stews. (He's the one who wanted and bought it. It must be a guy thing. Maybe it was ate cream soups, we'd use it more. )

The VitaMix gets used a lot for smoothies, sauces, and juices. I have used it to make nut butters. (I used to make ice cream in it until the enablers here talked me into a ice cream maker. :D ) I don't use it for chopping anything because it makes the pieces too uneven.

I think it all depends on what and how you cook and how much you mind knifework. If I had a large family or really hated knife work, I'd want a FP. I think a blender is the least versitile, but if you drink a lot of smoothies or mixed drinks, it's probably indispensible.

Thanks for all the input.
After reading your ideas, I am thinking an immersion blender is the way to go, for now anyway. Even though some of you have not used it much. Just wish a FP would make a smoothie, but have seen that must of the FP dont hold liquid.

Would love to have a FP, but the budget is not ready at this time for another kitchen purchase. The mini really is doing a good job for now.
But I can see that maybe one do soon. Only thing is where to put all these huge appliances. Kitchen Aid mixer is already on the counter.

May change my mind once I get to the store...who knows!