how to grate parmesan cheese

It’s finely grated not shredded. Adulting 101: The credit building course from wikiHow. It’s quick and easy to shred, grate and zest with a Microplane by sliding the item back and forth along the steel shaft, shaving off tiny bits at a time. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. To finely grate Parmigiano-Reggiano and similar cheeses, use the small (1/8-inch)teardrop-shaped holes (not the ragged-edged holes) of a box or similar handheld grater. The fragrance for grating adds to the taste and the consistency- while slightly irregular is what adds to fresh food on all levels. I have certainly used the shredding disc as it replicates the shred. Here are some of my recipes from previous posts that use grated Parmesan cheese. I add the grated Parmesan to 1/2 pint (1 cup) mason jars (Walmart has great prices on these). Follow these directions for grate size: It can dramatically impact the outcome of your recipe. You can put it in a pot of soup; it will flavor it beautifully. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Click here to read more about me and my blog! GRATING METHOD #1: Use a Microplane (for small quantities). Stop and check it periodically; if there are still some chunky bits, keep processing. Using a hand grater is a quick way to prepare small amounts of grated cheese to use in recipes. They're also great for zesting citrus. I use a box grater when I need 1-2 cups of grated Parmesan to incorporate into a recipe (if I don't have some in my freezer as explain in Method #3 below). Using a Box Grater Use a box grater to shred your cheese. Grated parmesan is a bit more intuitive to use than fresh bread crumbs, and it will augment any number of recipes. Prep time: 10 minutes. This is my preferred method for grating small amounts of fresh Parmesan. With a heavy knife, chop the Parmesan into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces. This is the 1-1/2 pound wedge of Parmesan that I recently purchased at Sam's: Here are the 3 methods I use for grating Parmesan. I usually keep one jar in the fridge to have on hand and put the rest in the freezer until needed. Then, put on the lid and just process the cheese until it’s the texture you like, it only takes a minute or two. I find this is especially true with Parmesan shredded cheese. Parmesan cheese that has been aged at least 12 months has the fullest flavor. To determine the best way to store Parmesan cheese, we consulted several of the sources who helped with research for the tasting article and got three different recommendations for wrapping Parmesan for storage. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Press any button to stop the cycle. Add the pieces to the bowl of the food processor fitted with the regular metal blade. GRATING METHOD #2: Use a Box Grater (for medium quantities). Microplanes are also notoriously super annoying to clean, too — all those tiny holes! If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. By applying gentle pressure, move the peeler in one direction along the outer surface of the cheese. Don't overfill the bowl. Seal the bag almost closed leaving just enough room to insert a straw. Who knew?Turns out that as cheeses go, it's one of the most nutritious. Here are some of my favorite uses for grated parm: Sprinkle it on anything Italian, from basic spaghetti to … % of people told us that this article helped them. To buy or grate your own?Of course, you can purchase pre-shredded or grated Parmesan cheese; but it is so much better and cheaper when you freshly grate your own. Because Parmesan rinds tend to have a much tougher texture than the cheese itself, they’re frequently discarded after the cheese block is grated … The 1-1/2 pound wedge of Parmesan yielded 6 1-cup jars of grated cheese. Rotary graters are especially useful for hard Italian cheeses like Parmesan or Pecorino. GRATING METHOD #3: Use a Food Processor(for large quantities). Is 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese Really 100%? Use a blender to grate fresh cheese if you don’t have a hand grater or if you are grating a large amount of cheese to use in a recipe. Thin layers of cheese might crumble, and that is ok because you want to achieve fine strips and granules. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. First and foremost I love it freshly grated on pasta; but I also incorporate it in lots of my recipes. According to an article by Mike at TheIronYou.com, Parmesan has "high protein content, easy digestibility and concentrations of calcium and vitamins." They can also be used for chopping nuts or grating chocolate. I add these white plastic lids for convenient use and reuse (also available at Walmart with canning supplies). The flavor and quality of freshly grated Parmesan is superior to pre-grated, packaged cheese. If you are wondering if your grated cheese has spoiled, open the container and check the color and smell. It sure comes in handy when making my favorite recipe for homemade lemon curd. I label and date my jars before putting them in the freezer. Blendtec: Press the SPEED UP Button to Speed 4 and process cheese for 15-30 seconds. If you like your cheese shredded then try the disc for shredding. The consistency of the cheese is much finer when you use a microplane grater and looks similar to flakes of snow. For a 1-1/2 pound wedge of cheese, I process half of it at a time. I put a Microplane and piece of cheese on a plate and put it on the table for everyone to use to freshly grate cheese onto their pasta. But there is a solution: You can grate fresh Parmesan cheese in a blender, such as a high-powered one like the Vitamix! Using a grater, as opposed to thinly shaving the brick of cheese, or cutting it into chunks, makes the parmesan perfect for a pasta topping or to use in recipes requiring freshly grated cheese. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Parmigiano Reggiano, also known as the king of cheese, is the original Parmesan.A Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) food, it’s made in northern Italy, exclusively in the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and parts of Mantua (to the right of the Po river) and Bologna (to the left of the Po river). This batch of Parmesan took about 2-3 minutes of processing to get the desired texture; I've had it take as long as 5 minutes before. Grating your own cheese is not as quick and easy as using pre-grated cheese, but the flavor results are well-worth the extra preparation time. It turns out that many cheese products, including popular brands of parmesan and shredded cheese, are actually not 100% composed of Parmigiano Reggiano. Second, cut the cheese into 2 inch cubes and place them in the food processor fitted with a regular blade. When it comes to crumbly cheeses like Parmesan, you can also grate … This is the method I use for adding Parmesan to pasta. Often the edges are harder and require extra processing. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. But if it’s shredded or grated parmesan, either store-bought or not, the leftovers won’t take long until they lose quality. This article has been viewed 26,131 times. Converter for quantity amounts of Cheese, parmesan, grated between units measured in g, gram, dag, dekagram (10g), portion 100 g, grams, kg, kilogram (1,000g), oz, ounce (28.35g), lb, pound (16oz), cup, tbsp culinary or nutritional content and how much per weight versus volume conversion of … The advance prep saves time and money. Keep your hand in a vertical position while grating to avoid scraping your knuckles, and stop grating when the brick of cheese is too small to comfortably hold. Add the pieces to the bowl of the food processor fitted with the regular metal blade. Stay away--COMPLETELY AWAY--from the dried grated Parmesan that comes in the cardboard tube container. Wrap a block or chunk of Parmesan cheese in wax paper or parchment paper, then in a layer of plastic wrap. Step 2. Keep shaving thin layers until you get to some cheese that is softer and more easily grated.If all else fails, however, and the entire block of cheese appears to be completely dried out, don’t throw it away! These 1-cup jars are perfect for the way I cook. The downside of grating your own Parmesan cheese, of course, is that it can be a little time-consuming and messy in the kitchen. Parmesan cheese is one of my favorite recipe ingredients. Use a piece of plastic wrap while holding the cheese while grating it by hand to improve your grip. This is SO convenient to have on hand. Leave enough room in the bag for the cheese to expand minimally. Microplanes are one of my most-used kitchen gadgets. Wrap the cheese snugly and securely, and do not leave any gaps in either of the wrapping materials. Of course, you can also buy Parmesan at the grocery store; or go, to a good cheese shop if you want the very best. Find more tips at Chatelaine.com! I love the convenience of having these jars of grated cheese in my freezer. Puff pastry topped with parmesan Can You Freeze Parmesan Cheese? But I guess everyone is different. 50 Kitchen Gifts for the Cook Who Has Everything, 30 Best Kitchen Stocking Stuffers | gifts for under $10, Gear & Gifts for Thanksgiving and Holiday Cooking. When we run a recipe calling for a grated hard cheese such as Parmesan or Pecorino Romano, we always include not only the weight but also the grate size desired. For one or two servings, use a microplane grater (a small, hand-held grater that can be used at the table). The Microplane is easy to use, simply run the cheese along the surface and fine shreds of cheese fall out the other side. To create this article, volunteer authors worked to edit and improve it over time. The wikiHow Video Team also followed the article's instructions and verified that they work. Don't overfill the bowl. Step 2 Press out any air in the bag before you fully seal the bag shut. Let’s talk about the pros and cons of freezing this popular Italian cheese. [Photograph: Daniel Gritzer] I grabbed a teaspoon measure and carefully spooned some Microplaned cheese into it the best I could without packing it down, until it was full to the rim, and weighed it (minus the mass of the spoon, obviously): 0.7g. Before we even got to the question of wrapping, though, there were several points on which everyone agreed. This is a convenient size to pull out of the freezer as needed. Store processed “grated Parmesan” is dry and tasteless. SO MANY WAYS TO USE GRATED PARMESANNow that I have all of this grated cheese in my freezer there are all kinds of things I can make. Instructions Place ingredient in the jar, secure lid. They're ideal for grating hard cheeses, but also garlic, fresh ginger, & whole nutmeg. There are two types of people in the world: those who say “yes” when a waiter asks if you’d like freshly-grated Parmesan, and those who don't. When I need more than a cup or two of grated Parmesan, it's time to get out the food processor. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. If you buy it pre-grated, get the fresh cheese in the deli or refrigerated section of the grocery store. Wrap the Parmesan in a clean, moist dishcloth. For a 1-1/2 pound wedge of cheese, I process half of it at a time. For Parmesan, I use the side of the box grater with the smaller holes. I don’t like shredded cheese for Italian food, especially when it’s the cheap stuff that is hard, thick, and tasteless kind. The cheese can all be frozen in one container, but then you'll be digging out the frozen quantities you want for a recipe. Insert the straw close to the top of the bag to suck out the air until the bag is completely deflated. You can also serve the cheese from these jars--great to have on hand to sprinkle on take-out pizza. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. From hard parmesan, to semi-hard cheddar and soft mozzarella, here are four easy ways to grate cheese — no muss, no fuss. For one or two servings, use a microplane grater (a small, hand-held grater that can be used at the table). With a heavy knife, chop the Parmesan into 1 to 1-1/2 inch pieces. By using our site, you agree to our. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Grate-Parmesan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Grate-Parmesan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/50\/Grate-Parmesan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid1846009-v4-728px-Grate-Parmesan-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"410","licensing":"