14 Ways to Use a Four-Sided Grater

Votes: 4

This traditional tool hasn't yet become obsolete. Here are 14 modern uses for the familiar grater, and we're not just talking about coleslaw.

Universal tool

The four-sided grater—once a trusty and indispensable kitchen tool—has long been supplanted by the hand cheese grater and countless food processor blades. However, it's still hard to beat its convenience and flexibility as a dishwasher-safe appliance with no difficult-to-clean moving parts. Not to mention its design, which includes blades for virtually any culinary need. Want proof? We present 14 new uses for your new (old) favorite tool.

How to Cook - 14 Ways to Use a Four-Sided Grater

Butter

A tip for impatient or forgetful bakers who don't have time to wait for butter to soften: grate a block of cold butter on a coarse grater and let it sit for a couple of minutes. There you have it! Room-temperature butter, ready to be added to your favorite cookie and cake doughs.

Vegetable noodles

For homemade vegetable noodles, place the grater on its side, with the large holes facing up. Then grate the trimmed zucchini, running it lengthwise.

Breadcrumbs

Freshly toasted bread crumbs add crunch to casseroles, gratins, and pasta. Use up day-old baguettes, leftover toast, or a forgotten sandwich: grate pieces or slices of bread using a coarse grater. (Freezing the slices will harden them and make them easier to grate.) Use the crumbs immediately or store them in a zip-lock plastic bag; no need to defrost.

Spices

For deep flavor, chefs prefer to use freshly grated spices instead of store-bought ones. The finest holes on the short side of the grater allow you to quickly grate a cinnamon stick, a whole nutmeg, or a dried lime.

Fresh coconut

Once you've drained the coconut milk, use the flesh. After removing the shell, scrape off the brown outer skin with a vegetable peeler, then grate large pieces of coconut on a coarse grater. Sprinkle the shavings over fruit salads, add them to granola or Indian curries, or garnish a frosted cake. Or simply freeze the coconut flakes in a zip-lock bag for future use.

Bananas

Grate a frozen banana on a coarse grater for a simple, dairy-free version of banana ice cream. You can also grate the frozen fruit directly into the banana bread batter.

Chocolate

Run a slightly warmed wedge of chocolate along the long slicing blade on one side of the grater to create beautiful swirls for cakes and pastries.

Cauliflower "rice"

If you don't want to break out the food processor, grate the cauliflower using a coarse grater. Then fry it with butter or vegetable oil, cover, and simmer until tender—it's a hearty low-carb side dish.

Hard-boiled eggs

The crowning glory of this retro dish, asparagus mimosa, is a layer of fluffy egg whites and yolks. Here's the easiest way to make it: grate a peeled egg on a coarse grater over freshly blanched asparagus.

Pies and pastries with filling

For perfectly even rectangles of dough, use the bottom of the grater as a large cookie cutter (it also has a convenient handle). It's also great for cutting homemade crackers.

Brown sugar

Don't throw away hardened brown sugar—grind it into a fine powder using the raised, fine holes of a grater. Then add it to oatmeal, coffee, or marinades.

Tomato sauce

Ripe summer tomatoes are so sweet and juicy that cooking them is practically a crime. Grate a large tomato into a bowl for a quick tomato sauce. Add olive oil, freshly trimmed herbs, salt and pepper, and toss with hot, freshly cooked pasta. You can also add chopped olives, fresh ricotta, mozzarella balls, or capers.