Difference between revisions of "Grate Cheese"
m (importing article from wikihow) |
m (Text replacement - "[[Category: F" to "[[Category:F") |
||
| (4 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
=== Using a Microplane === | === Using a Microplane === | ||
| − | #Grate cheese using a microplane cheese grater. A microplane cheese grater consists of a handle attached to a long, flat grate with small, sharp teeth.<ref>http://www.michelledudash.com/2011/04/04/how-to-use-a-microplane-grater/</ref> Although they are usually used for zesting lemons or grating garlic, they are perfectly serviceable when it comes to grating cheese. | + | #Grate cheese using a microplane cheese grater. A microplane cheese grater consists of a handle attached to a long, flat grate with small, sharp teeth.<ref name="rf1">http://www.michelledudash.com/2011/04/04/how-to-use-a-microplane-grater/</ref> Although they are usually used for zesting lemons or grating garlic, they are perfectly serviceable when it comes to grating cheese. |
#*Because microplanes tend to produce smaller pieces of grated cheese, they are best used with hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino. Grating a soft cheese like mozzarella with a microplane would only give you a mushy mass instead of cleanly grated cheese. | #*Because microplanes tend to produce smaller pieces of grated cheese, they are best used with hard cheeses such as Parmesan or Pecorino. Grating a soft cheese like mozzarella with a microplane would only give you a mushy mass instead of cleanly grated cheese. | ||
#Unwrap your block of cheese. If it is too large to hold comfortably with one hand, slice it into manageable pieces with a knife. Err on the side of larger rather than smaller — there's less of a chance you'll hurt yourself with a big piece of cheese. | #Unwrap your block of cheese. If it is too large to hold comfortably with one hand, slice it into manageable pieces with a knife. Err on the side of larger rather than smaller — there's less of a chance you'll hurt yourself with a big piece of cheese. | ||
#Holding the microplane over a plate or board, gently swipe the cheese against the grate using an up-and-down motion. Continue until you have the desired amount. | #Holding the microplane over a plate or board, gently swipe the cheese against the grate using an up-and-down motion. Continue until you have the desired amount. | ||
#Tap the metal end of the grater lightly against the edge of the plate to release excess trimmings. Use a pastry brush, if necessary, to remove all the cheese trimmings from the microplane. | #Tap the metal end of the grater lightly against the edge of the plate to release excess trimmings. Use a pastry brush, if necessary, to remove all the cheese trimmings from the microplane. | ||
| − | #Switch out your microplane size depending on what you're using cheese for. Microplane graters come in a variety of sizes ranging from fine to coarse.<ref | + | #Switch out your microplane size depending on what you're using cheese for. Microplane graters come in a variety of sizes ranging from fine to coarse.<ref name="rf1" /> Finely shredded cheese can be used as the top layer of a freshly made pizza. Medium shredded cheese is thicker and a nice topping for baked potatoes or salads. Coarsely grated cheese is the thickest and can be used to garnish pasta. |
=== Using a Box Grater === | === Using a Box Grater === | ||
#Use a box grater to shred your cheese. A box grater is four sided, with each side having differently sized teeth. | #Use a box grater to shred your cheese. A box grater is four sided, with each side having differently sized teeth. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
#* Choose whichever grater plate suits the dish. The medium sized holes are great for garnishing tacos, but not so much for making crumb-like Parmesan to go on Spaghetti. | #* Choose whichever grater plate suits the dish. The medium sized holes are great for garnishing tacos, but not so much for making crumb-like Parmesan to go on Spaghetti. | ||
#Keep your cheese medium to large sized. This will prevent you from scraping your fingers before you have the desired amount of shredded cheese. | #Keep your cheese medium to large sized. This will prevent you from scraping your fingers before you have the desired amount of shredded cheese. | ||
| − | #Lightly coat the outside of the grater plate you will be using with cooking spray. This will make the cheese glide easier.<ref>http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/top-shredding-graters-10000001110055/</ref> | + | #Lightly coat the outside of the grater plate you will be using with cooking spray. This will make the cheese glide easier.<ref name="rf2">http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/top-shredding-graters-10000001110055/</ref> |
#Let your box grate decide how you'll use it. For box graters without a handle, hold the cheese and grater over a large bowl. For graters with a handle, place the end of the grater on a cutting board. | #Let your box grate decide how you'll use it. For box graters without a handle, hold the cheese and grater over a large bowl. For graters with a handle, place the end of the grater on a cutting board. | ||
| − | #Rub the cheese against the grater in an up-and-down motion. Once you reach the end of the cheese, rub it with your palm to avoid scraping your knuckles.<ref | + | #Rub the cheese against the grater in an up-and-down motion. Once you reach the end of the cheese, rub it with your palm to avoid scraping your knuckles.<ref name="rf2" /> |
=== Using a Rotary Grater === | === Using a Rotary Grater === | ||
#Slice your cheese using a rotary grater. A rotary grater consists of a handle connected to a circular grating compartment. A side crank is then rotated to grate the cheese. Raise the top handle of the grater, place a small block of cheese into the compartment, and lower the handle. | #Slice your cheese using a rotary grater. A rotary grater consists of a handle connected to a circular grating compartment. A side crank is then rotated to grate the cheese. Raise the top handle of the grater, place a small block of cheese into the compartment, and lower the handle. | ||
#Apply some pressure to the top of the handle with your thumb. Grip the handle normally with your other fingers. | #Apply some pressure to the top of the handle with your thumb. Grip the handle normally with your other fingers. | ||
#Turn the handle with your other hand while aiming the grating compartment at a nearby plate or bowl. Stop whenever you feel like you have enough shredded cheese. | #Turn the handle with your other hand while aiming the grating compartment at a nearby plate or bowl. Stop whenever you feel like you have enough shredded cheese. | ||
| − | #Rotary graters are safer as your hands are not required to press against the plates.They are also very efficient<ref>http://www.finecooking.com/articles/rotary-graters.aspx</ref> and are best reserved for making large quantities of shredded cheese. For example, if you need to make nacho dips or breakfast casseroles, use a rotary grater. | + | #Rotary graters are safer as your hands are not required to press against the plates.They are also very efficient<ref name="rf3">http://www.finecooking.com/articles/rotary-graters.aspx</ref> and are best reserved for making large quantities of shredded cheese. For example, if you need to make nacho dips or breakfast casseroles, use a rotary grater. |
=== Grating Cheese by Improvising === | === Grating Cheese by Improvising === | ||
#Shred cheese with a vegetable peeler. Though not as efficient or glamorous as using a cheese grater, a vegetable peeler will still get the job done. | #Shred cheese with a vegetable peeler. Though not as efficient or glamorous as using a cheese grater, a vegetable peeler will still get the job done. | ||
#* Hold a medium sized block of cheese over a regular sized plate. Rub the peeler against the cheese in a continuous forward motion. | #* Hold a medium sized block of cheese over a regular sized plate. Rub the peeler against the cheese in a continuous forward motion. | ||
| − | #* For higher quality slices, refrigerate the cheese first or opt for a hard type of cheese (such as Parmesan).<ref>http://books.google.com/books?id=Hroa4MGv94oC&pg=PA74&lpg=PA74&dq=how+to+grate+cheese+vegetable+peeler&source=bl&ots=37B_t30AqP&sig=JirIIYFP5hKA2K5iW__XLSaWkYY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w4VqU6HeAYTJoAS9iIDQCQ&ved=0CG8Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=how%20to%20grate%20cheese%20vegetable%20peeler&f=false</ref> | + | #* For higher quality slices, refrigerate the cheese first or opt for a hard type of cheese (such as Parmesan).<ref name="rf4">http://books.google.com/books?id=Hroa4MGv94oC&pg=PA74&lpg=PA74&dq=how+to+grate+cheese+vegetable+peeler&source=bl&ots=37B_t30AqP&sig=JirIIYFP5hKA2K5iW__XLSaWkYY&hl=en&sa=X&ei=w4VqU6HeAYTJoAS9iIDQCQ&ved=0CG8Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=how%20to%20grate%20cheese%20vegetable%20peeler&f=false</ref> |
#Use a sharp kitchen knife to thinly slice cheese. Though this is more time consuming, a knife is a nice substitute for a vegetable peeler. | #Use a sharp kitchen knife to thinly slice cheese. Though this is more time consuming, a knife is a nice substitute for a vegetable peeler. | ||
#* Hold a small chunk of cheese against the surface of a plate. Gently slice off thin shreds onto the plate. | #* Hold a small chunk of cheese against the surface of a plate. Gently slice off thin shreds onto the plate. | ||
| − | #* Opt for a plain edge rather than a serrated edge. Plain edge knives are better at shaving and skinning.<ref>http://www.knifeart.com/plainbyjoeta.html</ref> | + | #* Opt for a plain edge rather than a serrated edge. Plain edge knives are better at shaving and skinning.<ref name="rf5">http://www.knifeart.com/plainbyjoeta.html</ref> |
#* Avoid holding large blocks of cheese. Since knife work is more dangerous than other grating options, you want to have a steady and firm grip on the cheese. | #* Avoid holding large blocks of cheese. Since knife work is more dangerous than other grating options, you want to have a steady and firm grip on the cheese. | ||
#Mince cheese with a food processor. For quick and easy shredded cheese, a food processor is the optimal choice. | #Mince cheese with a food processor. For quick and easy shredded cheese, a food processor is the optimal choice. | ||
| − | #* Refrigerate your cheese until it is firm but not too hard. Chop it into smaller blocks and place it in your food processor.<ref>http://www.thekitchn.com/can-i-grate-cheese-in-a-food-processor-product-shopping-questions-172638</ref> Be cautious about overloading your processor. Some food processor blades have seized up or become unbalanced when grating cheese.<ref>http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/11/breville-redesigns-food-processor-after-grated-cheese-dustup/index.htm</ref> | + | #* Refrigerate your cheese until it is firm but not too hard. Chop it into smaller blocks and place it in your food processor.<ref name="rf6">http://www.thekitchn.com/can-i-grate-cheese-in-a-food-processor-product-shopping-questions-172638</ref> Be cautious about overloading your processor. Some food processor blades have seized up or become unbalanced when grating cheese.<ref name="rf7">http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2012/11/breville-redesigns-food-processor-after-grated-cheese-dustup/index.htm</ref> |
#* Turn the food processor on and monitor the shape of the cheese shreds. Once you have shredded the cheese to your liking, turn off the processor and empty it onto a plate. | #* Turn the food processor on and monitor the shape of the cheese shreds. Once you have shredded the cheese to your liking, turn off the processor and empty it onto a plate. | ||
#* If your processor has a shredding disk, select this blade as it will provide better quality slices. | #* If your processor has a shredding disk, select this blade as it will provide better quality slices. | ||
| − | #* Avoid processing softer cheeses such as Mozzarella. This will result in smeared, not shredded, cheese.<ref | + | #* Avoid processing softer cheeses such as Mozzarella. This will result in smeared, not shredded, cheese.<ref name="rf6" /> |
#Finished. | #Finished. | ||
