Introduction

The Cuisinart 4-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Processor handles a variety of food preparation tasks including chopping, grinding, puréeing, emulsifying and blending. The patented auto-revers-ing blade provides a super-sharp edge for the delicate chopping of herbs and for blending and puréeing other soft foods, while the blunt edge offers a powerful cutting surface to grind through spices and other hard foods. Pulse activation gives maximum control for precision processing, whether chopping or grinding.
The powerful high-speed motor works hard and fast to accomplish any small job with ease. Chop herbs, onions, garlic; grind spices, hard cheese; purée baby foods; blend mayonnaise and flavored butters, all with the same compact appliance. The Mini-Prep Plus Processor takes up minimum counter space and stores neatly on the countertop or in a cabinet.

The cost of the Cuisinart Mini Prep is approximately $50.

Specifications

The Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor DLC-4CHB comes with several key features that enhance its functionality:

250-watt motor for powerful performance
Compact design with a 3-cup transparent bowl
Ergonomic handle for easy handling and pouring
One-touch operation with a simple on/off switch
Shatter-proof bowl and lid for durability
Detachable parts are dishwasher safe for easy cleaning
Includes a spatula for scraping sides and folding ingredients

Description

The Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor DLC-4CHB is built with a sturdy 250-watt motor that can handle tough ingredients like nuts and seeds. The 3-cup bowl is transparent, allowing you to see the progress of your ingredients as you process them. The ergonomic handle makes it easy to pour and handle the bowl, while the one-touch operation simplifies use. The shatter-proof construction ensures durability, and detachable parts are dishwasher safe for convenient cleaning.

This mini processor is also lightweight and compact, making it easy to store in small kitchens or on countertops. It comes with a spatula to help scrape down sides and fold ingredients back into the bowl during processing.

ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS

With the base unit on the tabletop, place the work bowl over the center stem and turn slightly to the right, until bowl drops down to the bottom of the stem.
Turn the work bowl counterclockwise to lock onto base.
CAREFULLY pick up the blade by its hub and place on the center stem until it drops to the bottom of the stem. NEVER TOUCH THE BLADE ITSELF.
Add food ingredients.
Place the cover on the work bowl with the long tab to the right of the rear column.
Turn cover counterclockwise to securely lock into locking post.
Plug unit into wall socket.
You are ready to CHOP/GRIND.

TIPS FOR PROCESSING FOOD

Preparing the Food Size

Always cut large pieces of food into smaller pieces of even size – about 1⁄2 inch (12mm) to a side or as specified under Operating Techniques on page 4.
If you don't start with pieces that are small and uniform, you will not get an even chop.

Quantity

Do not overload the work bowl. Overloading causes inconsistent results and it strains the motor. Use the quantities given in the recipe section as a guide.
As a rule of thumb, remem-ber that after being processed, food should not reach more than 2⁄3 of the way up the central hub of the blade assembly.

Note: Due to the powerful motor provided with this unit, Cuisinart recommends using one hand to support the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor during operation.

Selecting the Right Operating Control

Use the chop function for chopping, puréeing and mixing. It is the right choice, for example, for chopping soft, fragile food such as herbs, celery, onions, garlic and most cheeses. It is also the right choice for puréeing cooked veg-etables, making mayonnaise and mixing salad dressing.
Pulse action is best when you are using the chop function. Two or three pulses are often enough. Be sure to check the food frequently to prevent overprocessing. If you overprocess, you are likely to get a watery paste instead of a fine chop.
Use the grind function for grinding spices, and for chopping hard food such as peppercorns, seeds, chocolate and nuts.
Continuous-hold action is best when you are using the grind function. You may have to oper-ate the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor for several seconds with some food to achieve the desired results – as long as 20 seconds for some seeds.
When you operate the unit for more than 10 seconds, use a pulse action every 10 seconds or so to allow food to drop to the bottom of the work bowl. This provides more consistent results.
Never operate the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor continuously for longer than 1 minute at a time.
Note: The work bowl and cover may become scratched when you use them for grinding grain and spices. This does not affect the per-formance of the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor. However, you may want to reserve the original bowl for grinding, and purchase an additional bowl and cover set for other uses.
These are available from the Cuisinart Customer Service Department, which you can reach by dialing our toll-free number: 800-726-0190.

Adding Liquid

You can add liquids such as water, oil or flavoring while the machine is running. For example, you might want to add oil when mak-ing mayonnaise or salad dressing, or you could add vanilla or alcohol when making frozen yogurt.
Pour the liquid through one of the two openings in the cover.

IMPORTANT: Add liquid through only one opening at a time. The other opening must be left free to allow air to escape. If both openings are blocked, liquid cannot flow smoothly into the bowl.

Removing Food from the Sides of the Bowl
Occasionally food will stick to the sides of the bowl as you process. Stop the machine to clear food away. AFTER THE BLADE HAS STOPPED

MOVING, remove the cover, and use the spatula to scrape the food from the sides of the bowl back into the center. Do not put hands into bowl unless unit is unplugged.

PROCESSING FOOD

Place the work bowl firmly on the motor base and insert the blade assembly. Opening at back of bowl must face column at back of the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor. Turn counterclockwise to lock in place.
Place food in the work bowl. Be sure the food is cut in small pieces, and the bowl is not overloaded.
Lock the cover into position.
Note: Due to the powerful motor provided with this unit, Cuisinart recommends using one hand to support the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor during operation.
Press the appropriate chop or grind Control, depending on the food you are processing.
When you have finished processing the food, stop the machine by releasing the control button.
WHEN THE BLADE STOPS MOVING, remove the cover.
Unplug the unit.
Carefully remove the blade assembly, holding it by the handle on the top of the sheath. NEVER TOUCH THE BLADE ITSELF.
Remove food with the spatula.
Note: Do not operate the Mini-Prep Plus Processor without food contents in work bowl.

Tip: Process foods in order from dry to wet to avoid having to clean bowl and blade between each task.

TO REMOVE PREP BOWL

Turn the work bowl cover clockwise and remove.
Turn the work bowl clockwise to unlock and lift off of the base.
Carefully remove the blade by lifting it up from the hub.

Setup Guide

To operate the Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor DLC-4CHB, follow these steps:

Assemble the processor by placing the bowl onto the base unit and ensuring it clicks securely into place.
Attach the lid to the bowl, making sure it is aligned properly and locked in position.
Add ingredients to the bowl through the feed tube or directly into the bowl.
Use the one-touch switch to start processing. Press once for continuous operation or press and release for pulse action.
Use the provided spatula to scrape down sides if necessary.

IMPORTANT UNPACKING INSTRUCTIONS

This package contains a Cuisinart® 4-Cup Mini-Prep® Plus Processor and the standard parts for it: SmartPower Blade® metal chopping/grinding blade, spatula, and instruction/recipe booklet.
CAUTION: THE CUTTING BLADE HAS VERY SHARP EDGES.
To avoid injury when unpacking, please follow these instructions:

Place the box on a table or kitchen counter. Be sure the box is right side up.
Lift and remove the cardboard lid from the work bowl cover.
Grasping the work bowl cover, lift the unit up and out of the box and place on the tabletop.
Turn the work bowl cover clockwise to unlock it from the unit base. Lift up and remove.
Carefully lift the protective cardboard off the chopping/grinding blade shaft.
CAREFULLY REMOVE THE METAL BLADE BY GRASPING THE CENTER WHITE HUB AND LIFTING IT STRAIGHT UP. NEVER TOUCH THE BLADE, AS IT IS RAZOR SHARP.
Read the instructions thoroughly before using the machine.

NOTE: Remember to return your product reg-istration card with all information carefully and completely filled out.

IMPORTANT SAFEGUARDS

When using an electrical appliance, basic safety precautions should always be adhered to, including the following:

Read all instructions.
To protect against risk of electric shock, do not put motor base in water or other liquid.
Close supervision is necessary when any appliance is used by or near children.
Always unplug unit from outlet when not in use, before putting on or taking off parts, before cleaning, and before removing food from bowl. To unplug, grasp plug and pull from electrical outlet. Never pull cord.
Avoid contact with moving parts.
Do not operate any appliance with a damaged cord or plug after the appliance malfunctions, or if appliance has been dropped or damaged in any manner. Return the appliance to the nearest authorized Customer Service (see Warranty for details) for examination, repair, and electrical or mechanical adjustment.
The use of attachments not recommended or sold by Cuisinart may cause fire, electric shock or injury.
Do not let cord hang over edge of table or counter, or touch hot surfaces.
Do not use outdoors.
Keep hands and utensils away from moving blade while processing, to prevent the risk of severe injury to persons, or damage to the chopper/grinder. A scraper may be used, but must only be used when the chopper/grinder is not running.
Blade is extremely sharp. Handle carefully when removing, inserting or cleaning. Always allow blade to stop moving before removing cover.
To reduce the risk of injury, never place cutting blade on base without first putting work bowl properly in place.
Be certain cover is securely locked in place before operating appliance. Do not attempt to remove cover until blade has stopped rotating.
Do not attempt to defeat the cover interlock mechanism, as serious injury may result.
Before using, check work bowl for presence of foreign objects.

SAVE THESE INSTRUCTIONS
FOR HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY NOTICE
This appliance has a polarized plug (one blade is wider than the other). As a safety feature, this plug will fit only one way in a polarized outlet. If the plug does not fit fully in the outlet, reverse the plug. If it still does not fit, contact a qualified electrician. Do not attempt to defeat this safety feature.

CLEANING AND STORAGE

To simplify cleaning, rinse the work bowl, cover, and blade immediately after each use, so that food won’t dry on them. Wash blade assembly, work bowl, cover, and spatula in warm soapy water. Rinse and dry. Wash the blade carefully.
Avoid leaving blade in soapy water where it may disappear from sight. If you have a dishwasher, you can wash the work bowl, cover, blade assembly, and spatula on the top rack. Insert the work bowl upside down and the cover right side up. Put the blade and spatula in the cutlery basket. Unload the dishwasher carefully to avoid contact with the sharp blade. Wipe the motor base clean with a damp sponge or cloth. Dry it immediately. Never submerge the motor base or the plug in water or other liquid.
The Mini-Prep Plus Processor stores neatly on the countertop in a minimum of space. When it is not in use, be sure to leave it unplugged. The hidden cord storage underneath the motor base will help to keep excess cord off the counter-top. Store the unit assembled to prevent loss of parts. Store the blades as you would sharp knives – out of the reach of children.
The Mini-Prep Plus Processor is intended for HOUSEHOLD USE ONLY. Any service other than cleaning and normal user maintenance should be performed by an authorized Cuisinart Service Representative.

Troubleshooting

Motor doesn't start or blade doesn't rotate.

Check that plug is securely inserted into outlet.
Check that work bowl and cover are securely locked into place.
Be sure to press only one operation control button at a time.

Food is unevenly chopped.

Either you are chopping too much food at one time, or the pieces are not small enough. Try cutting food into smaller pieces of even size and processing a smaller amount per batch.

Food is chopped too fine or is watery.

The food has been overprocessed. Use brief pulses, or process for a shorter time. Let blade stop completely between pulses.

Food collects on work bowl cover or sides of prep bowl.

You may be processing too much food. Turn machine off. When blade stops rotating, remove cover, and clean bowl and lid with spatula.

Food catches on blade.

You may be processing too much food. Carefully remove blade. Remove food from blade with spatula, and start over again.

OPERATING TECHNIQUES

With the Mini-Prep Processor you can chop, grind or purée small amounts of foods. Use this listing of ingredients and techniques as a basic guide for processing (Pages 5-6).

Surface scratches that may occur will not impair the function of the Mini-Prep® Plus Processor. You may want to consider purchasing a second work bowl specifically for these tasks.

Anchovies	Chop. Pulse to desiredconsistency.	Drain first. Cut in half.
Bacon	Chop. Pulse to desiredconsistency.	Cook crispy; drain well. Break into 1-inch pieces.
Baking chocolate/ chocolate chunks/chips	Chop. Pulse on Chop to break up, then process continuously until desiredchop size is achieved.	Process no more than 11⁄2 ounces at a time. For best results, chill chocolate for 3–5 minutes in freezer before chopping. Cut baking chocolate squares into 1⁄2-inch pieces to chop.
Bread for crumbs	Chop. Pulse to break up, then process continuously until desired crumb size is reached.	Use day-old, hardbread for drycrumbs; fresh breadfor moist crumbs. Cut or break into piecesno larger than 1 inch. For buttered crumbs, add 1 teaspoon of butter per slice after crumbs have started to form, and process to combine and coat.
Butter	Chop. Process continuously.	Cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces. Best at room temperature. Process up to 3⁄4 cup at a time. Add freshly chopped citrus zest, garlic, herbs or shallots to create compound butters.
Celery	Chop. Pulse to desiredsize.	Cutinto 1⁄2-inch long pieces.
Cheese – hard (Parmesan, Asiago, Romano, etc.)	Chop. Pulse on Chop 10 times, then process continuously on Chop until desired consistency.	Remove and discard rind or reservefor another use. Cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces. If possible, remove from refrigerator 20–30 minutes before processing. Up to 3 ounces.
Cheese – soft	Chop. Pulse to break up, then process continuously to “cream.”	Best at room temperature.
Cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, other hard spices	Grind. Pulse to break up, about 5 times, then process continuously until finely chopped.	Break cinnamon sticks into 1-inch pieces. Hard spices may cause scratches on the work bowl and lid.*
Citrus zest	Chop. Pulse to break up, then process continuously until finely chopped.	Use vegetable peeler to remove zest (color only) from citrus; scrape off any white with sharp knife. Cut strips in half. Adding a small amountof sugar or salt will help achievea finer texture.
Cookies, graham crackers for crumbs, hard Amaretti or macaroons	Chop. Pulse 5 times to break up, then process continuously until finely chopped.	Hard cookies only. Break up into 1-inch or smaller pieces. For buttered crumbs, add 1 teaspoon of butter per graham cracker sheet or for every 3 cookies.
Fruits, cooked; fresh or frozen thawed berries	Chop. Pulse to break up, then process continuouslyuntil desired consistency.	Cooked fruits may be processed to make baby foods or purées; liquid may be added for consistency. To process fresh or frozen thawed berries for sauce, pulse to chop, then process until puréed(sugar may be added to taste).
Garlic	Chop. Pulse to chop roughly, then process continuously for fine chop.	Peel garlic cloves first. Scrape work bowl sides and bottom as needed.

Gingerroot, fresh	Chop. Pulse to break up, then process continuously on Chop to reach desired consistency.	Peel first; cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces or slices. Scrape work bowl sides and bottom as needed. Up to 4 ounces.
Green onions, scallions	Chop. Pulse to chop to desiredconsistency.	Trim and cut into 3⁄4-inch pieces.
Herbs, fresh	Chop. Pulse to chop to desiredconsistency.	Rinse and dry completely. Remove leaves from stems to chop.
Horseradish	Chop.	Peel first. Cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces. Process up to 4 ounces at a time.
Leeks	Chop.	Trim off root end and tough outer skin. Wash thoroughly to remove sand and grit; dry completely. Cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces.
Meats	Chop. Pulse to chop, or process continuously to purée (add liquid as needed).	Uncooked meats should be cold, but not frozen; cut up to 8 ounces into 1⁄2-inch pieces, trimmed of gristle and soft fat; some hard fat may remain. Cooked meats can be cold or warm; cut up to 8 ounces into 1⁄2-inch pieces.Add liquid (water,broth or from cooking) as needed to processto purée consistency.
Mushrooms	Chop. Pulse to chop to desiredconsistency.	Choose firm, fresh mushrooms. Cut into quarters or even-size pieces, no larger than 3⁄4 inch.
Nuts	Chop. Pulse to chop to desiredconsistency.	Toast nuts first for maximum flavor. Allow to cool completely before chopping. Up to 1 cup.
Olives	Chop. Pulse to chop to desiredconsistency.	Useonly pitted olives.Drain well for best results.
Onions	Chop. Pulse 5-10 timesto chop to desired size.	Peel; cut into 3⁄4-inch or smallerpieces of similarsize.
Peppercorns	Grind. Pulse first, then process continuously until desired consistency.	Combine peppercorns with dried herbs or spices or coarse salt to create rubs and seasonings. Hard peppercorns may scratch work bowl and lid.*
Peppers, fresh	Chop. Pulse to chop to desiredconsistency.	Core, seed and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces. Do not overprocess.
Seeds, dried berries	Grind. Pulse to break up, then process continuously to desired consistency.	Coriander,cumin, dill, fennel, sesame, poppy, and juniper berries.
Shallots	Chop. Pulse 5-10 times to chop to desired consistency.	Peel first; cut into quarters, or pieces no larger than 3⁄4-inch.
Vegetables, cooked	Chop. Pulse 5-10 times to chop, then process continuously until desired consistency is reached.	Cook vegetables until tender. Process to a smooth purée for baby food or sauces;may need to add liquidfor consistency.

Cuisinart 4-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Processor RECIPES

Guacamole

This popular Mexican specialty is delicious with chips and vegetable crudités, or as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.
Makes about 2 cups

2 cloves garlic, peeled
3 green onions, trimmed and cut into ½-inch pieces
1½ jalapeño peppers, cored, seeded and cut into ½-inch pieces
3 ripe avocados, peeled, pitted, and diced
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (juice of 1½ medium limes)
¾ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon ground coriander
¾ teaspoon kosher salt
¾ cup finely chopped tomatoes

Place the garlic, green onions and jalapeño peppers in the work bowl. Pulse on Chop 10 times; scrape the bottom and sides of the work bowl. Add the avocados, lime juice, cumin, coriander and salt. Pulse on Chop 10 times, then process on Chop continuously for 15 seconds; scrape the work bowl. Process on Chop for another 15 to 20 seconds until smooth and creamy.
Transfer to a serving bowl. Stir in chopped tomatoes before serving.

Nutritional information per serving (3 tablespoons):

Calories 90 (71% from fat)

carb. 6g
pro. 1g
fat 8g
sat. fat 1g
chol. 0mg
sod. 180mg
calc. 14mg
fiber 4g

Tapenade

A favorite from the Provençal region of France.
Makes about 1½ cups

2 cloves garlic, peeled
1½ anchovy fillets
1½ cups pitted niçoise or other imported black olives
¼ cup drained and rinsed capers
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1½ tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from ½ medium lemon)
1 tablespoon herbs de Provence or thyme
¾ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
¼ cup + 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Chop the garlic for 5 seconds; scrape the work bowl. Add the anchovies, olives and capers; pulse 10 times on Chop. Scrape the work bowl. Add the mustard, lemon juice, herbs and pep-per. Process for 15 seconds on Chop; scrape the work bowl. Process for an additional 15 seconds; scrape the work bowl again then add the olive oil. Process until a thick paste forms, about 20 to 30 seconds.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutritional information per serving (2 tablespoons):

Calories 80 (88% from fat)

carb. 2g
pro. 1g
fat 9g
sat. fat 1g
chol. 0mg
sod. 280mg
calc. 27mg
fiber 1g

18-MONTH WARRANTY

We warrant that your Cuisinart 4-Cup Mini-Prep Plus Processor will be free of defects in materials and workmanship under normal home use for 18 months from the date of original purchase.

We suggest you complete and return the enclosed product registration card promptly to facilitate verification of the date of the original purchase. However, the return of the product registration card does not eliminate the need for the consumer to maintain the original proof of purchase in order to obtain the warranty benefits. In the event that you do not have proof of purchase date, the purchase date for purposes of this warranty will be the date of manufacture.

Pros & Cons

Pros

Compact design suitable for small kitchens
Powerful 250-watt motor for efficient processing
Ergonomic handle makes pouring easy
Dishwasher-safe parts for easy cleaning
Affordable price point compared to larger models

Cons

Small capacity limits batch size
No additional attachments or accessories included
No delay start feature or speed settings
Some users find it noisy during operation

Customer Reviews

Customers praise the Cuisinart Mini Prep Food Processor DLC-4CHB for its ease of use, compact size, and affordability. Many appreciate its ability to handle tough ingredients efficiently despite its small size. However, some users note that it can be noisy during operation and has limited capacity compared to larger processors.

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