Andy Montoya
Grating cheese is a tedious task, but using a food processor can make it much easier and quicker. The food processor can grate a variety of cheeses, from hard cheeses like Parmesan and Romano to softer cheeses like mozzarella, although harder cheeses may need to be frozen beforehand to prevent clumping. The texture of the grated cheese can be adjusted to coarse or fine depending on the recipe, and the cheese can be cut into cubes or slices before being fed into the processor. Most food processors come with a shredding disc or grating plate, which can be attached to the drive shaft of the work bowl. The cheese can then be placed into the feed tube and processed until the desired texture is achieved.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Benefits | Faster than hand grating, better texture, uniform cut, easy cleanup |
| Cheese type | Hard cheeses like Parmesan or Romano work best; soft cheeses like mozzarella may clump together |
| Cheese preparation | Cheese should be cold or frozen; cut into 1-inch pieces or quarters |
| Food processor preparation | Affix the drive shaft to the bowl, attach the shredding disc, lock the lid |
| Grating technique | Feed cheese into the food processor while it's running, using quick pulses |
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What You'll Learn
Use a shredding disc for grating cheese
Grating cheese in a food processor is a quick and easy process. It can be done using a shredding disc or by placing the cheese directly into the food processor bowl.
If you want to use a shredding disc, the first step is to affix the drive shaft to the center of the food processor work bowl. Then, attach the shredding disc to the drive shaft. It will attach to the very top, rather than the bottom. Lock the food processor lid. The cheese should be firm and very cold, so make sure it is straight out of the refrigerator. If you are grating soft cheese, like mozzarella, it is better to put it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before shredding. This is because cheese that is too soft or warm will clump together.
Next, cut the cheese into the largest pieces possible that will still fit into the processor’s feed tube. Cut off the rind if you do not plan on eating it. Place the piece of cheese into the feed tube of the lid. It should be resting on the shredding disc. Apply pressure with the food pusher and turn the processor on.
If you are grating a small amount of cheese, use a few quick pulses of the machine. This will ensure the cheese is not overprocessed. If you are grating more than a cup of cheese, place the cut chunks into the chute and blend until it reaches your desired texture.
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Cut cheese into cubes or slices
To cut cheese into cubes or slices before putting it through a food processor, you should first cut the block of cheese into quarters. This will make it easier to grate even amounts of hard cheese in the food processor. Then, cut these quarters into cubes or long rectangles.
Some people prefer to grate cheese straight into the food processor without cutting it into cubes or slices first. However, this can damage the processor.
If you are grating cheese to melt, it is better to cut the cheese into cubes and freeze it for a few hours before putting it through the food processor. This will help to prevent the cheese from becoming mushy.
If you are grating cheese to top a dish, you may prefer to grate it by hand. This will give you more control over the texture. Parmesan, for example, is often better when it has a shaved quality, which can be achieved by using a microplane.
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Use the pulse function for small amounts
Grating cheese using a food processor is a quick and easy alternative to using a box grater. It is also a good way to ensure a uniform texture and consistency.
To grate small amounts of cheese using a food processor, it is best to use the pulse function. This will ensure that the cheese is not overprocessed and that you achieve your desired texture.
Before grating, it is important to prepare the cheese. The cheese should be firm and very cold, so make sure it is straight out of the refrigerator. If you are grating a soft cheese, such as mozzarella, place it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before grating. Freezing the cheese will prevent it from becoming too soft and clumping together.
Cut the cheese into quarters and then insert each piece into the food processor's feed tube. You can also cut the cheese into 1-inch pieces and place them directly into the food processor bowl if you are grating hard cheeses like parmesan or Romano.
Once the cheese is in the food processor, use quick pulses to grate it to your desired texture. Stop the processor halfway through to check the texture and quantity of the grated cheese. This will allow you to adjust the process as needed.
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Freeze soft cheese before shredding
Using a food processor to grate cheese is a quick and easy alternative to using a box grater. It is also a good way to ensure that the cheese is cut in a uniform fashion. Most food processors come with a disc designed specifically for shredding, but if yours does not, you can still throw the cheese into the bowl and pulse until you get your desired texture.
If you are grating soft cheese, like mozzarella, it is recommended that you put it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes before shredding. This will help to prevent the cheese from clumping together in the food processor. The cheese should be firm, but it does not need to be too hard.
Freezing soft cheese before shredding is a good way to make it last longer. However, it is important to note that freezing cheese will change its texture. Soft cheeses with a higher water and fat content, such as camembert, brie, ricotta, and cottage cheese, can be frozen, but their texture will suffer. Blocks or large hunks of cheese are ideal for freezing. If you are freezing a block of cheese, it is best to cut it into quarters before placing it into the freezer.
To freeze soft cheese before shredding, start by cutting the cheese into the largest pieces that will fit into your food processor's feed tube. Then, place the cheese into an airtight, resealable plastic freezer bag and remove as much air as possible. Finally, put the bag of cheese into the freezer for 15–20 minutes before shredding.
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Use a food processor for uniform grating
Grating cheese with a food processor is a quick and easy way to get uniform grating. It is also a lot less tedious than using a box grater or microplane.
To get started, you will need to set up your food processor with the grating attachment. Most food processors come with a disc designed specifically for shredding. If your model doesn't have one, you can explore other food processors to upgrade. The shredding disc has cutouts that look similar to the cutouts in a box cheese grater. Affix the drive shaft to the center of the food processor work bowl, then attach the disc to the drive shaft. It will attach to the very top, rather than the bottom.
If you are grating hard cheese, like parmesan or Romano, you can skip the shredding disc and place the cheese directly into the food processor work bowl. Cut the cheese into 1-inch pieces and pulse until the cheese has a powdery texture. This type of parmesan can be easily incorporated into a breading mixture or salad dressing. It can also be used to top everyday dishes. For best results, put mozzarella into the freezer for 15-20 minutes before shredding. The cheese doesn't need to be too hard, but it should be firm and cold. Shredding cheese that is too soft could cause it to clump in the work bowl. Colder cheese creates independent, uniform shreds that can melt smoothly and evenly.
If you are grating softer cheeses, like mozzarella, it is best to use the shredding disc. Cut off the rind if you don’t plan on eating it. Cut the cheese into the largest pieces possible that will still fit into the processor’s feed tube. Place the piece of cheese into the feed tube of the lid. It should be resting on the shredding disc. Apply pressure with the food pusher and turn the processor on.
If you are grating a small amount of cheese, use a few quick pulses of the machine. This ensures the block of cheese is grated to your preference and not overprocessed. If you are grating more than a cup of cheese, place the cut chunks from the block of cheese into the chute and blend until it reaches your desired texture. The length of time to grate depends on the type of cheese and the density. Keep in mind that the edges of a block of cheese require more time to grate thoroughly.
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Frequently asked questions
Most food processors come with a shredding disc attachment that can be affixed to the drive shaft at the center of the food processor work bowl. The cheese grater attachment will attach to the top of the drive shaft, not the bottom.
The cheese should be firm and very cold, so take it straight out of the refrigerator. If you're grating soft cheese, like mozzarella, put it in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before shredding. Cut the cheese into the largest pieces possible that will fit into the processor's feed tube. Place the cheese into the feed tube and apply pressure with the food pusher before turning the processor on.
Hard cheeses like parmesan or romano grate well in a food processor. Softer cheeses like mozzarella will stick together.
