cookie, sometimes just changing the order and how you add things can help. I would chop the dates a bit first by hand, then pulse the coconut with the nuts in the processor, then pour that mix over the dates to coat them, in a bowl and toss a bit, then into the processor again. Pulse and add everything else. I recently wanted a speedy quick last minute salsa and knew better but put a few things in without a 2 sec pre-chop. The shallot stuck to the blade, grr, and by the end of it all, way over blended. Had coarse shallots, so i added a few more cherry toms, (cut in half) and more cilantro, yada, not so speedy after all... Dates are snotty glue. I still have a ton and have been using them allot lately as a sugar replacement. Mine are still on the stems and need to be pitted so i do that chore on a pile of a dry ingredient. In my case it was some blended granola and coconut... similar recipe but mine also has some puffed rice. Not really an extra step, but chopping a bit on the granola "flour' to coat did help avoid sticky date snot.

I have an ancient Cuisinart DLC7PRO and am trying to decide whether to buy replacement parts or buy a new food processor. Does anyone have a favorite replacement parts site? Ones I have looked at say that replacement parts don't reliably fit the older units because they were not standardized from year to year even though the model number stayed the same. Do the old slicing/shredding discs fit the newer units? I know the fps some with more discs now than they used to, but I have some extras that it would be nice to hold onto. Does anyone have any additional thoughts about capacity, Kitchen Aid vs. Cuisinart, etc.?

I can't say I use my FP a whole lot, but when I do I'm glad I have it. I probably use it most when I'm shredding a pound of mozzarella for a lasagne or potatoes for latkes. Or pureeing meat for a qyro loaf, or making the occasional pie crust. Like Theresa, most of my uses such as bread crumbs, chopped herbs, etc. only require a smaller FP, and I use my Ultimate Chopper. It's not the best rated machine in its league, but it was a gift so that's the one I have.

I do have that food processor, and I store it on a shelf in the butcher block table that I got from IKEA, which holds my electric meat slicer. I use the meat slicer a lot more than the FP, but I need the FP for when I make hummus or bean dip, which is about twice a month. I do like that the slicer blade is adjustable so that you can dial whatever thickness you want, but I still seldom use it - only when I am making huge quantities of sliced vegetables, which is almost never. (For slicing pickles, I use the meat slicer.) I use the FP to grate potatoes and onions for latkes, and I do not make those that often. For cheese grating, I prefer to use my Kitchenaid grater attachment, as it is much easier to clean, and the mixer has to live on the counter anyway. It has a place in a corner that is otherwise inconvenient, but it is perfect for the mixer and its attachments. When I puree stuff in the FP, I put plastic wrap over the top before I put the lid on, and that way the top does not get dirty. The bowls are definitely bulky to store, and I do not have excess storage in my kitchen. If I am chopping small quantites of vegetables for a deviled egg or deviled turkey, I use my Kitchenaid stick blender chopping attachment. It is the right size and will chop without pureeing. I do not put anything into the Cuisinart unless I want it pureed, as it will not do a coarse chop or even a mince. It does a great job of pureeing, however, and I need it for that. Lars