Help! Grating Cheese at a Party - Solutions Wanted

[Langrco]

I have not found a good way to grate this at a party, it clumps on me, any advise would be great

 

[Teresa Lynn]

zap it in the microwave for a few minutes to bring the oils to the top

 

[Langrco]

I thought the reason was because it was to soft, I was thinking of the freezer to make it firmer, glad I asked first.

 

[JAE]

I put mine in the freezer. Haven't tried the micro. For shows I ask the host to buy shredded.

 

[rennea]

I put mine in the freezer as well.

 

[RaggedyAunt]

There has been some discussion on here recently that you should microwave for use with the cheese grater, but freeze for the Ultimate Mandolin. And, obviously, you would microwave for a few seconds, not minutes...

 

[JAE]

I freeze for using the cheese grater.

 

[rennea]

And, obviously, you would microwave for a few seconds, not minutes...

Hhmmm, I'll have to give that a try

 

[pampered Ruth]

Get the cd from the suppy order "Cooking Show live with Julie Cicero", she gives a great show, great tips and is a top seller. I listen to it over and over in my car.She also advises to put the softer cheese in the microwave to bring the oils to the top and it grates much easier.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

sorry, I meant SECONDS was distracted I apologize!!!

 

[GeorgiaPeach]

When I first started 9 years ago we were told to put the cheese in the freezer...and the drum too, if we wanted. Within the last two years, the "zap in microwave" tip came out. Microwave works MUCH better. I've also heard "the softer the cheese, the softer the squeeze...the harder the cheese, the harder the squeeze". My first few shows I was so nervous I squeezed that thing so hard it's surprising it didn't break!! All the cheese clumped up inside and I had to dig it out with a knife VERY embarrassing!

 

[allisonserna]

weekly bites mentioned buying string Mozzarella cheese and cutting it in half and then putting it in the cheese grater. I went looking for it online and got side tracked.

 

[RaggedyAunt]

sorry, I meant SECONDS was distracted I apologize!!!

I assumed so, Teresa, but you know how some people take things literally. Didn't mean to upset you. I said it in a lighthearted way.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I wasn't upset, I just wanted to clarify I did intend to type seconds.

 

[finley1991]

My rule is: Soft cheese (moz, cheddar, etc) - micro
Hard cheeses (parm, asiago, etc) - freezer

 

[peichef]

I like the microwave to sweat the cheese, too. Although, I find for one particular brand of mozzarella (Black Diamond -- probably just a CDN brand) the freezer is the only option that works. Their mozza is just too gummy.

 

[Langrco]

that was actually my thought from now on

 

[Langrco]

Ok, I will try the microwave for like what 5 seconds, the problem mentioned before clumping and having to dig it out and it isn't shreaded at that point and you can't spread it on the pizza crust. But the bagged already shredded sounds really good. I haven't had a problem with the other cheeses yet. I did try the freezer at a home party and it was too hard with the mandilan

 

[stacywhitlow]

The microwave will release the oils in the soft cheese making it nonstick to the grater barrell. Sticking it in the freezer makes it too hard & could break the grater. This is why HO is not using the freezer method anymore.

 

[fruit76loop]

Ok, I will try the microwave for like what 5 seconds, the problem mentioned before clumping and having to dig it out and it isn't shreaded at that point and you can't spread it on the pizza crust. But the bagged already shredded sounds really good. I haven't had a problem with the other cheeses yet. I did try the freezer at a home party and it was too hard with the mandilan

For the time in the microwave, this depends on the size of the cheese. But I usually go 10 seconds first, then see how the oil is on the outside of the cheese!

 

[wadesgirl]

Ok, I will try the microwave for like what 5 seconds, the problem mentioned before clumping and having to dig it out and it isn't shreaded at that point and you can't spread it on the pizza crust. But the bagged already shredded sounds really good. I haven't had a problem with the other cheeses yet. I did try the freezer at a home party and it was too hard with the mandilan

You can really tell the difference from the microwave. I usually do about 8 seconds. It doesn't seem like very long but any longer and your cheese starts melting.

I always heard freezer for motz but I'm too lazy I just deal with it. Maybe I'll have to try the microwave next time.

 

[finley1991]

One other thing... fresh mozz isn't really intended to be shredded. Not sure if that's the problem or not.

 

[Teresa Lynn]

I determine how many seconds according to the wattage of the microwave not the size of the cheese I tell guests do it for 6 seconds and check, because
it's very hard to grate queso