HOW TO GRATE CHEESE IN A FOOD PROCESSOR
Freshly shredded cheese is essential for countless classic dishes. The next time you're making cacio e pepe or artisan pizza, skip the box grater and try shredding cheese in your food processor. It’s quick, easy and creates fresh shreds that help with even melting. A shredding disc is best for grating cheese in a food processor. If your model doesn’t have one, explore KitchenAid® food processors to upgrade.
In general, freshly shredded cheese can be better for cooking than pre-shredded cheese. A block of cheese typically contains fewer preservatives so it may melt more smoothly and taste fresher. Read on to get step-by-step instructions on how to grate cheese without a grater so you can save time as you create luscious, cheese-forward favorites, such as homemade queso dip.
CAN YOU USE A FOOD PROCESSOR TO SHRED CHEESE?
Yes. Most food processors come with a disc designed specifically for shredding. Shredding cheese in a food processor can be easier than manually pushing cheese through a box grater or microplane. Embrace effortless creativity and elevate your dishes by shredding cheese in your food processor.
GRATING CHEESE WITH A FOOD PROCESSOR: A STEP BY STEP GUIDE
Using your food processor to grate cheese is an easy process that could change the way you create in the kitchen. Simply attach the shredding disc to your food processor and slowly feed a large chunk of cheese through the feed tube. Check your processor’s owner’s manual for model-specific instructions on how to attach and use the shredding disc. If you’re looking to upgrade, browse all KitchenAid® food processors.
STEP 1: ATTACH THE SHREDDING DISC TO THE FOOD PROCESSOR
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. Lock the food processor lid.
STEP 2: PREPARE THE CHEESE
The cheese should be firm and very cold, so make sure it is straight out of the refrigerator. If you’re shredding soft cheese, like mozzarella, put it in the freezer for 15–20 minutes before shredding. If cheese is too soft or warm, it will clump together. Cut the cheese into the largest pieces possible that will still fit into the processor’s feed tube. Cut off the rind if you don’t plan on eating it.
STEP 3: START SHREDDING
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. Watch as the cheese block turns into beautifully shredded cheese in just a few seconds.
HOW DO YOU GRATE PARMESAN IN A FOOD PROCESSOR?
If you’re trying to create ground parmesan or other hard cheeses that you can shake onto pizza and pasta, skip the shredding disc and place cheese directly into the food processor work bowl. Cut it into 1-inch pieces and pulse until the cheese has a powdery texture.
This type of parmesan, as opposed to shredded parmesan, can be incorporated easily into a breading mixture or salad dressing, providing a flavorful boost. It’s also nice to have on hand to enhance everyday dishes. Homemade grated parmesan has a fresh taste and texture that may be hard to find in its store-bought counterpart.
HOW DO YOU SHRED MOZZARELLA IN A FOOD PROCESSOR?
For best results, put mozzarella into the freezer for 15–20 minutes before shredding it. The cheese doesn't need to be too hard, but it should be firm. 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.
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