I finally broke down and bought a food processor a few years ago, and find it useful, but not absolutely necessary; a blender, and a mixer do most of what the processor does (for a small family). But we are a family of two, with no children. My slow cooker is often used for cooking beans, soups, and making chicken stock. The microwave is a horrible contrivance, and is only here because DH thinks it should be
. My Korean SIL showed me that a rice cooker is a very good thing to have. I love my Kitchenaid stand mixer. And, its not a small appliance, but the best non-standard, non-built-in piece of equipment we got for the kitchen is actually just outside the kitchen door - the propane grill! We use that at least once a week, year 'round!
