What is an appliance with an S-shaped blade and a removable bowl and lid used for chopping, pureeing, blending, or emulsifying foods?

The correct answer is a food processor, which features an S-shaped blade and typically has a removable bowl and lid designed for a variety of food preparation tasks. This appliance stands out due to its versatility, allowing it to chop, puree, blend, and emulsify foods effectively. The S-shaped blade is particularly useful for handling solid ingredients like vegetables or nuts and can easily transition to tasks like making sauces or dips, highlighting its multifunctional capabilities.

In contrast, a blender is primarily designed for liquid-based items and may not handle solid foods as efficiently without added liquids. A chopper generally refers to a simpler device that may not have the same power or versatility for diverse tasks like chopping, pureeing, or emulsifying. A mixer is more specialized for combining or beating ingredients, particularly for baking, and lacks the multifunctional design that characterizes a food processor. Thus, the food processor is the best choice for an appliance suited to a broad range of food processing tasks.