Patrick Oconnell
Grating your own Parmesan cheese is a great way to ensure freshness and avoid preservatives. It can also be cheaper than buying pre-grated cheese. There are several methods to grate Parmesan cheese, including using a Microplane, a box grater, or a food processor. For small amounts, a Microplane is a good option as it is easy to use and creates fine shreds of cheese. A box grater is a good choice for medium quantities, and a food processor is ideal for large quantities. To grate Parmesan cheese, cut a small block of cheese into rough cubes, then use your chosen grating method to create shreds or crumbs, depending on your desired texture. Finally, store any leftover grated cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Characteristics and values of grated or shredded parmesan cheese
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Texture | Grated parmesan cheese is finer than shredded parmesan cheese. |
| Use cases | Grated parmesan cheese is typically used for sauces and garnish, while shredded parmesan cheese is used for salads or as a topping. |
| Taste | Grated parmesan from a can may have a stronger taste than fresh, ungrated parmesan. |
| Shelf life | Shredded parmesan cheese has a shorter shelf life than grated parmesan cheese due to the lack of preservatives. |
| Cost | Grated parmesan cheese is the cheapest type of parmesan available. |
| Tools | A microplane, box grater, food processor, or blender can be used to grate or shred parmesan cheese. |
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What You'll Learn
Grating parmesan for a salad
Grating your own parmesan cheese for a salad is a simple process and can be done in a few ways. Firstly, you can use a microplane grater, which is ideal for smaller, fine gratings. This is a good option if you only need a small amount of parmesan for your salad. The microplane is easy to use: simply run the cheese along its surface, and fine shreds will appear on the other side.
If you need a larger amount of grated parmesan for your salad, you can use a box grater. This is best for coarsely grating parmesan cheese. Place the grater inside a baking sheet or casserole dish to avoid making a mess. If you have a large block of parmesan, place the block on a cutting board and move the microplane against the block, rather than moving the block. This will be faster and less tiring.
You can also use a food processor to grate parmesan cheese. This is a good option if you need a lot of grated parmesan for multiple servings of salad. First, cut the parmesan into 1- to 1.5-inch pieces. Then, add the pieces to the bowl of the food processor, ensuring that you do not overfill the bowl. Turn on the processor and let it run until the cheese reaches your desired texture. The time required may vary depending on the hardness of the cheese.
Once you have grated your parmesan cheese, you can store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to six months. You can also freeze grated parmesan for up to six months to add to your salads.
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Using a microplane
Grating your own Parmesan cheese with a Microplane is a great way to get fluffy, delicate strands of cheese to sprinkle over your dishes. Microplanes are well-known for their sharp blades, which make quick work of hard cheeses.
To use a Microplane, simply run the cheese along the surface and fine shreds of cheese will fall out the other side. This is a great method for grating small amounts of fresh Parmesan. The light, feathery texture of the cheese is perfect for cool or room-temperature dishes. However, it does not fare well on hot dishes as the cheese melts into a gooey clump. So, use a Microplane for dishes like salads, toasts, cooled roasted vegetables, and similar dishes.
Microplanes are also notoriously difficult to clean, with all those tiny holes. But, they are a great tool for grating small amounts of Parmesan to add to your dishes. For larger quantities, you may want to use a food processor.
When choosing a Microplane, look for one with sharp blades and a non-slip base to keep it stable on the cutting board. You can also choose between zesters, which produce fluffy grated cheese, and fine or coarse graters, which produce bigger flakes.
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Using a food processor
Grating Parmesan cheese in a food processor is a quick and easy way to create fresh shreds that help with even melting. It can also be more convenient and cost-effective than buying pre-shredded cheese. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grate Parmesan cheese using a food processor:
Step 1: Prepare the Parmesan Cheese
Use 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 dish. Cut the cheese into rough cubes, approximately 1/2 to 1-inch square.
Step 2: Set Up the Food Processor
Place the Parmesan cubes into the bowl of a sturdy food processor. If your food processor has a shredding disc, attach it according to the manufacturer's instructions. If your model does not have a shredding disc, simply use the regular metal blade.
Step 3: Pulse the Food Processor
Turn on the food processor and pulse in short increments of a few seconds each. At first, it will be quite loud, but as the cheese breaks down, the machine will get quieter. Continue processing in longer intervals until the desired texture is achieved. For most recipes, a super-fine powder is not necessary.
Step 4: Check and Adjust
Stop the food processor periodically to check the consistency of the grated cheese. If there are still some chunky bits, continue processing until the desired texture is reached. Be careful not to overfill the bowl, and process the cheese in batches if necessary.
Step 5: Storage
Use the grated Parmesan immediately, or store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The cheese can also be frozen in containers or Ziploc freezer bags for later use.
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Buying pre-grated parmesan
While buying pre-grated Parmesan cheese may be convenient, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. Firstly, commercially packaged pre-grated Parmesan often contains additives and stabilizers, which can affect the taste and quality. In some cases, it may not even be made solely from Parmesan cheese, but a mixture of other cheeses, as was discovered by the FDA in their investigation of a Pennsylvania cheesemaker. Therefore, it is recommended to check the ingredients list and avoid products with unnecessary additives.
However, if you still want to opt for pre-grated Parmesan, there are a few alternatives. You can buy store-grated aged Parmesan cheese from reputable stores or delis, which is simply a chunk of aged Parmesan that has been grated and packaged. This option ensures you are getting pure Parmesan without any additives. Additionally, you can look for Parmesan with a DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) label, which guarantees the cheese is authentic Parmigiano Reggiano from specific regions of Italy and is strictly regulated.
Another factor to consider is the serving size. Pre-grated Parmesan often comes in smaller quantities, which can be more expensive compared to buying a block of Parmesan. However, if you frequently use grated Parmesan in your cooking and want to save time and effort, buying pre-grated can be a convenient option. It is also a good choice if you want to avoid the hassle of grating cheese yourself or investing in a food processor.
Lastly, storage is an important consideration. Freshly grated Parmesan can be stored in the fridge for about two weeks before it starts to clump, while pre-grated Parmesan often contains preservatives to extend its shelf life. If you opt for fresh grated Parmesan, you can freeze the leftovers to make them last longer, and then thaw them at room temperature before use.
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Differences between grated and shredded parmesan
Grated and shredded Parmesan cheese differ in terms of shape, texture, taste, quality, and use cases.
In terms of shape, shredded Parmesan cheese comes as thin strips of cheese, which can vary in thickness depending on the manufacturing process. On the other hand, grated Parmesan cheese is much finer and similar to a powder.
The texture of shredded Parmesan is gooey, resulting in a cheese-forward flavor. Grated Parmesan, due to its powdery form, melds more into the dish, evenly distributing the flavor throughout.
Shredded Parmesan is often made with only a few ingredients, such as cultured milk, salt, and enzymes, and does not contain preservatives. As a result, shredded Parmesan has a shorter shelf life and must be refrigerated after opening. Grated Parmesan, on the other hand, tends to contain more miscellaneous ingredients, including preservatives, anti-caking agents, and cellulose powder. This gives it a longer shelf life, but it may affect the taste and texture, making it less rich and full-flavored.
Shaved or real Parmigiano-Reggiano Parmesan is considered to be of better quality than shredded or grated Parmesan. However, it is perceived to be more expensive, even though a small amount goes a long way due to its rich flavor.
When it comes to use cases, shredded Parmesan is ideal for creating thicker layers of cheese on top of or incorporated into dishes. It works well in sandwiches, quesadillas, pizzas, casseroles, and baked pasta. Grated Parmesan, with its powdery texture, is better suited for sprinkling or mixing into dishes where a more subtle cheese flavor is desired.
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Frequently asked questions
If you're grating parmesan cheese by hand, a microplane grater is recommended for a fine grate, or a box grater for a coarser result. For a larger amount, you can use a food processor or blender.
If you have leftover grated parmesan, you can store it in the fridge in an airtight container. It can also be frozen for future use.
Grated parmesan cheese is typically used in sauces or as a garnish, while shredded parmesan is used as a topping or in salads. Shredded parmesan resembles thin strips of white cheese, like mozzarella.
