Tired of tedious cheese grating? Many home cooks share your pain, especially when faced with mountains of cheese to grate for recipes. Forget the knuckle-grating box grater and the messy Microplane. There’s a faster, easier way championed by none other than Ina Garten herself: using your food processor!
The conventional grating methods using handheld graters can be time-consuming and, let’s face it, a bit dangerous. But what if you could achieve perfectly grated cheese in seconds, with minimal effort? The answer lies in your trusty food processor.
Why Use a Food Processor to Grate Cheese?
The benefits of using a food processor to grate cheese extend beyond mere convenience. While speed is a major advantage, the texture you achieve is equally compelling.
Speed and Efficiency
As Ina Garten famously asks, “How fast is that?” when demonstrating this technique. Indeed, grating cheese in a food processor is significantly faster than using a manual grater. You’ll save precious time in the kitchen, especially when preparing large quantities for parties or family gatherings.
Unique Texture
Forget the slivers and shards produced by traditional graters. A food processor yields a uniformly nubby, almost ground-up consistency. This texture is similar to pre-grated Parmesan cheese found in supermarkets, making it ideal for various culinary applications.
How to Grate Cheese with a Food Processor: Step-by-Step
Here’s how to easily grate cheese using a food processor:
- Choose the Right Cheese: This method works best for hard cheeses like Parmesan, Pecorino Romano, and Asiago. Softer cheeses may become clumpy or stick to the blades.
- Cut into Chunks: Cut the cheese into 1-2 inch cubes. This will allow the food processor to work more efficiently.
- Load the Food Processor: Place the cheese cubes into the bowl of your food processor fitted with the standard S-blade.
- Pulse: Pulse the food processor in short bursts. Avoid continuous processing, as this can overheat the cheese and cause it to melt or clump.
- Check Consistency: After a few pulses, check the consistency of the cheese. If it’s not grated finely enough, pulse a few more times until you reach the desired texture.
- Remove and Use: Once the cheese is grated to your liking, remove it from the food processor and use it in your favorite recipes.
The Best Uses for Food Processor-Grated Cheese
The unique texture of food processor-grated cheese makes it a versatile ingredient in a variety of dishes:
- Breadcrumb Coatings: The uniform texture is perfect for adhering to chicken, fish, or vegetables before baking or frying.
- Dressings: Incorporate it into creamy dressings for salads, adding richness and flavor.
- Toppings: Sprinkle it over pasta, salads, soups, and other dishes for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
Recipes That Shine with Food Processor-Grated Cheese
Consider these recipes where using food processor-grated cheese will elevate the flavor and simplify the preparation:
- Chicken Parmesan: As Ina Garten demonstrates, this method creates the perfect coating for chicken Parmesan.
- Parmesan Cheese Spread: Combine food processor-grated Parmesan with olive oil, white wine, and herbs for a delicious dip.
- One-Pot Garlic Parmesan Pasta: The fine texture of the cheese blends seamlessly into the creamy sauce.
- Caesar Salad: Use this cheese in caesar salad dressing.
- Marinated Steak With Almost Caesar Salad: Using the food processor trick will have the salad ready very fast.
Final Thoughts
So, ditch the grater and embrace the convenience of your food processor for grating cheese. You’ll save time, effort, and perhaps even a few knuckles. This simple technique, popularized by Ina Garten, will revolutionize your cheese-grating experience. Give it a try and discover the joy of perfectly grated cheese in seconds!
