Chopping Nuts

[pippa]

I a search but came up with nothing.  I am sure there is something here, but not sure where to look.  I wanted to chop nuts to put in muesli bar, but I had nut meal and whole nuts with nothing in between.  I used speed 7 for up to 5 seconds.  I tried again with just almonds as they were the hardest nuts and the same thing happened a mix of almond meal and whole nuts.  Is there a secret to chopping nuts into fairly even pieces?

[Cuilidh]

I would try chopping for just 1 - 2 seconds then maybe taking the jug off the cradle, giving it a shake or a stir then another 1 - 2 seconds.  The time is dependant upon how fine you want the nuts to be - after just 2 seconds you may find them to be a little too fine so better to give them a couple of short pulses on turbo than a solid block of time (even if that block of time is only 2 seconds).

[tarosuma]

Chopping nuts is one of the few things that I haven't been able to master in Thermie despite trying numerous methods.  I am so stubborn I was refusing to give in!  The best result I have ever had is still very irregular in sizes - some chunks, some powder, etc etc.....   As much as I love my TM, I have had to accept that nut chopping is still a job for the knife and chopping board.   
Great for nut meal and flours, great for nut butters but trying to evenly chop nuts is another story.......
Sorry I don't have any magical solution for you, maybe somebody has discovered it!

[Rogizoja]

Best way I've found is to grind with short bursts of turbo with the basket in place (on top of the nuts). This keeps the nuts down on the blades so they get chopped more evenly. Only problem is you can't do big batches this way. Persevere and good luck - let me know if this works for you.

[fundj&e]

Great tip Rogizoja,  the basket in place  to keep the nuts down on the blades.

[Cuilidh]

What a great idea Rogizoja, I must try that next time.  Thanks for posting the tip.

[jkmt]

I attended one of Tenina's classes recently. She mentioned that if you put nuts into a wet mix, they will chop rather than mill, as they do when the mix is dry.

[meganjane]

Rogizoja and jkmt, they're both great ideas! Thanks.

[Rogizoja]

You're welcome. And I'll remember jkmt's tip for wet mixes - good one.

[pippa]

I love how fast everyone is at responding and sorry it took me a few days to get back! I blame 3 at home children under 5, but now I am posting while they are awake and hungry and trying to climb in me so I have no excuse really.

Thanks for the tips, glad it is the TMX not me.  I might try chopping them with the dried fruit next time with the basket in and see if that works.

Now I just have to find a muesli bar recipe that doesn't crumble and fall apart!  But that is another thread

[pippa]

Just chopped my nuts with dried apricots and the basket in and they came out much better.  Only a couple of whole pieces, only a couple turned into meal, the rest chopped perfectly.  Anyone wanting to know - there was about 2 cups of nuts and 1/2 cup dried apricots.

[judydawn]

Another problem solved - don't you just love the way our members come to our aid.