To buy a FP or not?

[moonstone523]

I am living in Thailand as a volunteer getting paid $3 a day. I can't really afford a FP, but would love one, among other gagets.

I want to make pate though. And I think a FP is a must, right???

I am going home in 2 months and should just hold tight and buy one in America and bring back to Thailand with me.

But I want to make pate now. Could I make it without one?

And what could I sub for celery for the salmon pate?

[Revvell]

For me, an FP is the second most important item to have besides a Vita-Mix which can also make pate ~ although it would have to be a bit more liquidy to get it out of the container.

I don't know what you can substitue for celery in the blend because I don't know what's available there.

Maybe a mortar and pestle can substitute for an FP? What do others in Thailand use for making pastes? (not saying pates). Are FP's common there now?


Revvell

[Eveleaf]

I was going to suggest a pestle and mortar, but Revvell got to it first. :D I currently make pates in my Blendtec, so a good blender might be able to handle it. Then again, a good FP is much cheaper, IMO, than a good blender.

What part of Thailand are you working in? About ten years ago I spent a few weeks working with the Koren children, mostly orphaned, who lived along the Thai-Burmese border. It was one of the best, most eye-opening experiences of my life. :)

[janicejourney]

What is an FP?

[Revvell]

What is an FP?

Food processor.

Revvell

[rawpriestess]

You CAN just use a knife, and chop finely to your heart's content, or you can use a morter and pestel or you can use a blender, or a masticating juicer, each will give you a slightly different texture.


You can buy a mini food processor that is really nice, but only one or two cups and use that, much cheaper than the larger ones, I've sen them for $10 US, but you want to make sure you get a high quality one, do you have access to Craig's list, or freecycle or ebay?

you may be able to get one free, or almost free that way, I see tons of stuff on ebay for hardly anything.

If it were me, I'd have my family check out freecycle or craig's list and see if they can get you one free and ship it to you.

Now THAT would be a good thing.

[moonstone523]

Revel - In making Thai pastes like curry paste Thai people use a mortar and pestle. However, people have seen my blender and said the small cup part on top could be used to make the curry paste. It doesn't though work that well. I've tried, and feel a FP would be better. Well, I guess I could use the mortar and pestle. I should try that first before spending the money for a FP.

Eveleaf - Really you worked on the Thai-Burmese border? Where abouts? Another volunteer is working with Burmese refugees on the border. He loves it. I live up country in the provinve that is the gate-way to Issan - Korat. I live about an hour and a half south of Korat. Love it.

RP- yes my parents could always buy me one in america and send it, but i'll be visiting home in 2 months so i could just stick with my simple raw diet and then bump it up a notch with the applicances when i get home. geez, i want to buy so many gadgets now.

[lissomllama]

I have a food processor but I actually prefer using a mortar and pestle because it's a good workout and there is something lovely and natural about the energy that goes into my nuts when I grind them to a paste with earthen stone. You can always use a large stone and a small stone if you don't have a mortar and pestle but I'm sure you can find one in Thailand.

[RawNut]

You might want to try Chinese lettuce aka celtuce, celery lettuce, or stem lettuce. It's a variety of lettuce grown primarily in Asia with a stem that is much like celery. You might be able to find it there.

Here is a link: http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod01/01600694.html

RawNut

[Tirza]

Hi,
Reading your question brought to mind an old Medieval Cookbook I have somewhere. A real delicacy they used to have was Almond Soup. It was also used as an invalid food without the spices because it is so soothing. They obviously didn't have Food Processors or Blenders, so just for fun, here is a recipe I got off the Net:

Almond Pomgranate Sauce
Source: Libro del Coch, as translated in Barbara Santich's Original Mediteranian Cuisine
(Original Olde English Instructions)
Take fine white almonds and grind them well in a mortar. And when they are well pounded, blend with the juice of sour pomegranates. Then add to the mortar powdered sugar, cinnamon and ginger, because in the colour and the flavor cinnamon should predominated. And this sauce does not need to be strained.

1/2 cup blanched almonds, ground
1/4 cup pomegranate juice or diluted pomegranate molasses (add a little lemon juice if it's too sweet)
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
3/4 teaspoon Ceylon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon powdered sugar

(Present-Day Instructions)
Mix all these ingredients together, and add additional pomegranate juice, 1 tablespoon at a time, until the sauce reaches the desired consistency. A blender can be a plus.

[moonstone523]

I have a food processor but I actually prefer using a mortar and pestle because it's a good workout and there is something lovely and natural about the energy that goes into my nuts when I grind them to a paste with earthen stone. You can always use a large stone and a small stone if you don't have a mortar and pestle but I'm sure you can find one in Thailand.

lissomllama - I have a mortar and pestle already and it does get lots of use. Papaya Salad and Curry Paste. And I have used it to smash nuts in my first ever pie I made last month. I used a knife to get the dates and almonds small.

BUT... I just purchased a small FP. It was around $30. I am excited to make pate when I get back to my house tomorrow.

I shouldn't have even asked. Of course I wanted to buy a FP.

[Misty*Mountain]

YAY Carolyn! Now you can make lots of yummy raw concoctions! Let us know how things are turning out! :D

[lissomllama]

Cool, I'm glad you have the pleasure of using a mortar and pestle. The FP was a good investment. Enjoy!