Kamil Perry
Parmesan cheese is a popular ingredient in many recipes, and freshly grated Parmesan is often considered superior to pre-shredded cheese. While a box grater is a common tool for grating Parmesan, other methods and tools can be used to achieve the desired result faster and with less effort. One innovative method involves using a blender or food processor to grate Parmesan cheese, eliminating the need for manual grating. Before grating, it is important to cut the Parmesan cheese into smaller pieces or cubes, and the rind is usually removed with a sharp knife, although some prefer to keep it intact for flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Tools | Microplane, box grater, food processor, blender, knife |
| Cutting technique | Cut into cubes or chunks, leaving the rind intact; for thin, wide slices, use a chef's knife or skeleton knife |
| Storage | Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to seven days; vacuum-packed Parmigiano Reggiano can be stored in the refrigerator at 4-8°C |
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What You'll Learn
How to grate Parmesan cheese using a Microplane
Grating Parmesan cheese using a Microplane is a straightforward process. Microplanes are ideal for grating small quantities of hard cheeses, and they are also useful for zesting citrus fruits and grating garlic, fresh ginger, and whole nutmeg.
To use a Microplane, start with a wedge of Parmesan cheese. With a sharp knife, carefully remove any rind from the cheese, leaving a thin layer of cheese attached to the rind if desired. Cut the cheese into cubes of about 1/2 to 1 inch in size. Then, simply run the cheese cubes along the surface of the Microplane, and fine shreds of cheese will fall out of the other side.
Microplaned Parmesan is best suited for cool or room-temperature dishes, such as salads, toast, and cooled roasted vegetables. It can also be used for pasta, but it tends to form a clump of melted cheese when added to hot dishes.
If you are grating larger quantities of Parmesan, you may want to use a box grater or a food processor instead.
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How to grate Parmesan cheese using a box grater
Grating your own Parmesan cheese is a great way to save money and ensure your cheese melts well in your cooked dishes. While you can use a Microplane or food processor, a box grater is a great option for grating medium quantities of Parmesan cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grate Parmesan cheese using a box grater:
Step 1: Prepare the Parmesan Cheese
Use a heavy knife to cut the Parmesan cheese into rough cubes or chunks of about 1/2 to 1-inch in size. You can also use a large, sharp knife to carefully remove the rind from the cheese. It's okay to leave a thin layer of cheese attached to the rind, as it will add flavour to your dish.
Step 2: Choose the Right Side of the Box Grater
Box graters typically have multiple grating surfaces with different-sized holes. For grating Parmesan cheese, choose the side with smaller holes, as this will create a finer grate.
Step 3: Grate the Cheese
Hold the box grater firmly with one hand and use the other hand to rub the Parmesan cheese against the selected grating surface. Apply gentle pressure and move the cheese back and forth or in a circular motion. The cheese will be grated into small shreds and fall through the holes of the grater.
Step 4: Collect and Store the Grated Cheese
Place a plate or bowl under the box grater to collect the grated Parmesan cheese. Once you have grated the desired amount, transfer the cheese to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Freshly grated Parmesan cheese can be stored for up to seven days.
Using a box grater gives you control over the fineness of your grated Parmesan cheese and allows you to grate medium quantities efficiently. By following these steps, you can easily incorporate freshly grated Parmesan into your recipes and elevate the flavour of your dishes.
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How to grate Parmesan cheese using a blender
Grating Parmesan cheese using a blender is an easy and quick process. It is also a cost-effective method as pre-shredded cheese tends to be more expensive than blocks of cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grate Parmesan cheese using a blender:
Firstly, cut the Parmesan cheese into cubes. The size of the cubes can vary from one to two-inch pieces or rough cubes of about half to one-inch square. It is not necessary to have any special knife skills for this step.
Next, place the cubed Parmesan into the blender. Do not overfill the blender. Depending on the size of your blender, you may need to grate the cheese in batches.
Then, use the pulse function on your blender to break down the cheese into your desired size. If your blender does not have a pulse function, use the speed button to set it to a desired level. The speed and duration of blending will depend on the model of your blender and how fine you want your Parmesan to be. For example, Blender Babes recommends using speed five or six and blending for 15-30 seconds if you are using a Vitamix blender.
Finally, store any leftover grated Parmesan in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to seven days.
Some people choose to remove the rind from the Parmesan cheese before grating, but this is not necessary. Leaving a thin layer of cheese attached to the rind can add flavour to your dish.
Using a blender to grate Parmesan cheese is a convenient and efficient method that can save you time and money.
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How to cut Parmesan cheese into wedges
To cut Parmesan cheese into wedges, you will need a large, sharp knife. Start by carefully removing the rind from the cheese. It is okay to leave a thin layer of cheese attached to the rind, as it will add flavour to your dish.
Next, cut the cheese into rough cubes, about 1/2 to 1 inch in size. You can then cut these cubes into smaller rectangles, and then chop them diagonally from corner to corner to create wedges. The size of the wedges is up to you, but a typical serving size of cheese is 1 ounce or 28 grams.
If you are working with a larger wedge of Parmesan, you may want to cut it in half first before slicing it into wedges. This technique works well with semi-hard or hard cheeses, such as cheddar, Asiago, and Romano.
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How to grate Parmesan cheese using a food processor
Grating Parmesan cheese using a food processor is a convenient way to prepare large quantities of grated cheese. This method is faster than using a box grater or Microplane, and it yields a nubby, pebbly consistency similar to store-bought grated Parmesan. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grate Parmesan cheese using a food processor:
Step 1: Prepare the Parmesan Cheese
Start by using a large, sharp knife to carefully remove any rind from the cheese. It is okay to leave a thin layer of cheese attached to the rind, as it will add flavour to your dishes. Then, cut the cheese into small cubes, roughly 1/2 to 1-inch squares. The smaller the cubes, the easier it will be for the food processor to break them down.
Step 2: Set Up the Food Processor
Place the cubed cheese into the bowl of a sturdy food processor. Ensure that the food processor is fitted with a regular metal blade. Do not overfill the bowl, and work in batches if you have a large quantity of cheese.
Step 3: Pulse the Food Processor
Secure the lid on the food processor and pulse in short increments. Start with a few 3-second pulses and gradually increase the duration. At first, the machine will be loud, but as the cheese breaks down, it will become quieter.
Step 4: Check the Consistency
Continue processing the cheese, running the processor for longer intervals, until you achieve the desired consistency. For most recipes, a fine powder is not necessary. Stop and check the cheese periodically to ensure it reaches the desired texture. If there are still chunky bits, continue processing.
Step 5: Store the Grated Parmesan
Once the Parmesan cheese is grated to your desired consistency, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can also freeze the grated cheese in mason jars or Ziploc freezer bags to extend its shelf life and have a convenient supply on hand for future use.
Using a food processor to grate Parmesan cheese is a time-saving technique, especially when you need larger quantities. While the texture may differ from freshly grated cheese, it is still a useful method for efficient meal preparation and can be preferred for certain recipes.
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Frequently asked questions
Use a blender. Cut a wedge of parmesan cheese into cubes and toss them into the blender. Pulse until the cheese is broken down into your desired size.
You can use a food processor, a Microplane, or a box grater.
Store chopped parmesan cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It can last for up to seven days.
It is not advisable to freeze parmesan cheese. However, some people freeze grated parmesan cheese for use in cooked recipes.
Cut the cheese into thin, wide slices to increase the surface area. This will ensure that each piece of cheese has the full range of flavors and textures.
