Always on the go with no time for a nourishing snack? You’re not alone.

The reality is, sometimes having a busy life can hinder you from enjoying a light and healthy meal. But that doesn’t have to be the case. If you spend a little cash and invest in a food processor, you can whip together a great – and nutrient packed – meal without the hassle.

Similar to blenders, food processors can chop, slice, dice and puree in a snap, taking all the extra work out of the prep time of putting together a simple meal. And since processors make it nearly effortless to throw together perfect dishes, they should be a staple in every kitchen. So if you need to add a little spice to those tortilla chips you’re bagging up for work but have no time to chop up ingredients by hand, it’s no problem with a processor. Just throw in some tomatoes, some onions and a handful of cilantro leaves, pulse for a couple of minutes until chopped roughly and you’ve just made yourself a fresh salsa. It’s just as easy as that!

So there should be no more worrying about not having the time to make an amazing meal. Just check out the three fun and easy food processor recipes below that only take a matter of minutes to whip together and are sure to be appetizing.

Classic and Fresh Tomato Salsa

There’s nothing like a bright salsa to light up the snack table at any dinner fiesta. And with this Classic and Fresh Tomato Salsa, you can do no wrong! Just 15 minutes to make, all you need is three tomatoes, quarter of a white onion, half of a jalapeno (veins and seeds removed), a quarter cup of fresh cilantro, one tablespoon of fresh lime juice and salt to taste. Put the onion and jalapeno in the food processor and process until finely chopped. Slice tomatoes into quarters and add them, along with the cilantro, to the processor, and pulse several times until the tomatoes are roughly chopped. Transfer to a large bowl and add lime juice and a pinch of salt, season to taste. Makes two cups of salsa. Pair this simple and zesty dip with some homemade garlic and lime tortilla chips.

Homemade Tahini

Perfect for anyone who’s looking for a peanut butter substitute, homemade tahini takes a little more effort but is still easy and worth the time. All you need is five cups of sesame seeds and one and a half cups of olive oil (since tahini is bitter tasting, you can add a quarter cup of sugar for sweetness). Layer sesame seeds on a baking sheet and toast for 5 to 10 minutes in the oven at 350 degrees, shaking seeds frequently with a spatula (don’t allow to brown). Cool for 20 minutes, and then pour the seeds into the food processor, add oil and blend for two minutes, checking for consistency (at this point, add sugar if sweetness is desired). You want a thick, yet pourable texture, so add more oil and blend until preferred consistency is achieved. When ready, transfer into an airtight container and store in the refrigerator. Spread some tahini and strawberry jam on some toasted wheat bread, and you’ll have yourself a yummy and healthy snack.

Presto Basil Pesto

Looking to add some panache to your pasta? Then this presto basil pesto recipe is the way to go and only takes 10 minutes to make. All you need is one small garlic clove, a third cup of toasted pine nuts (while pine nuts are used in most pesto, they are optional ingredient, and should not be added if you’re allergic to nuts), one and a quarter cup of fresh basil, a quarter cup of extra virgin olive oil, one tablespoon of softened butter, one cup of grated parmesan cheese, and some salt and pepper. Place pine nuts and garlic together in the processor and pulse until nuts are finely chopped, and then add basil and process until the leaves are finely chopped. While the processor is running, pour in a steady stream of olive oil (some processors have a feed tube with a special "pinhole" for this purpose, so use it now if yours does), and then stop the processor to add the butter and cheese. Process the butter and parmesan until they’re completely blended into the mixture and the sauce is paste-like (season with pepper and salt to taste). Heat up your pesto over the stove if you want to serve it warm. Pour this delicious sauce over some angel hair spaghetti and you’ll have yourself a tasty Italian meal.

So there you have it — three easy breezy recipes that take less than 20 minutes to make in your food processor. Have fun, mix it up and enjoy the endless possibilities of your handy kitchen appliance.