The best tools for your recipe, your grip, and your budget
Justin Bernhaut
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Best Handheld Grater and How to Use It
Good For: Shredding directly into a bowl or a
pot (rasps are much handier than box graters for this task). With only a single (medium to small) hole size, they work well for small quantities
of hard cheese or other foods, such as baking chocolate and coconut.
Look For: A handle with a grip that prevents slipping; a large grater plate (more surface area equals less effort).
Tricks of the Trade: If your hand tires, hold the rasp at a 30-degree angle against the counter
for leverage. If cheese or chocolate starts to melt in your hand, place the food and the grater in the freezer for a few minutes, then grasp the food with a kitchen towel and continue to work quickly, says Linda Carucci, author of Cooking School Secrets for Real World Cooks (Chronicle Books, $23, www.amazon.com).
Shown: Microplane Series 35000 Medium Ribbon Grater, $15, www.microplane.com.
