Method and system for processing food

Abstract

A food preparation system and method, including a base housing, a container detachably engagable with the base housing in which the container is adapted to receive food products. The system also includes a heater within the base housing and/or the container for converting a liquid into a cooking vapor, and a blade rotatably mounted in the container in which the blade supports the food products during a cooking step and processes the food products during a processing step. The system can also have positioning structure within the base housing and/or the container for positioning the blade in a cooking position during the cooking step, and for positioning the blade in a processing position during the processing step.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A blade, comprising: 
 a blade column;    a plurality of blade elements attached to said blade column wherein said blade elements extend outwardly from said blade column, said blade elements containing at least one vapor vent, said blade elements combining to form a substantially circular or elliptical storage area for the food products during said cooking step, wherein said blade elements are positioned in separate substantially vertical planes.    
     
     
         2 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said blade elements has a cutting edge for processing the food products during said processing step.  
     
     
         3 . The blade according to  claim 1 , wherein opposing blade elements are positioned in substantially the same vertical position.