Why Your Grater Is Underrated

Most cooks own a basic box grater and a Microplane (or two). Here's a guide to some of the surprising things these multitasking gadgets can do, with recipes to match.

Coarse Microplane

This handy little grater has small, sharp slits that cut in both directions, making it excellent for thinly shaving chocolate or cheese. A coarse Microplane is also good for making bread crumbs to top grilled vegetables or steaming bowls of pasta.

Professional Grade Coarse Microplane, $14 at amazon.com

Box Grater

The broad work surface and large, sharp holes can quickly shred cheddar cheese and firm vegetables like cabbage and carrots. A less obvious use is pureeing corn kernels from a shucked ear and squishy vegetables like tomatoes (leaving the thin skin behind).

OXO Box Grater, $18 at amazon.com

Microplane

Its tiny, ultra-sharp holes famously allow the Microplane to scrape the zest from citrus without cutting into the pith beneath. The Microplane can also quickly puree small, soft aromatics like garlic and ginger, or grate whole spices like cinnamon sticks and nutmeg.

Classic Microplane, $12 at amazon.com

Recipes

Tomato Jam

In a bowl, grate 1 1/2 pounds ripe tomatoes on the large holes of a box grater until only the skin remains; discard the skin. Cook 1/2 cup chopped onion in 1 tsp. oil until softened. Add 1/4 cup turbinado sugar, 1 tablespoon cider vinegar and the tomato pulp. Cook, stirring, until thick. Add 1 1/2 teaspoon lime juice; season with salt and pepper. Serve with grilled chicken. Makes 3/4 cup.

Crisp Garlicky Bread Crumbs

Brush 1 thick slice of day-old country bread with olive oil and toast until golden. Rub all over with 1 cut garlic clove; let cool. Using a coarse Microplane, grate the bread into crumbs and serve sprinkled over 1 1/2 pounds grilled sliced zucchini that's been drizzled with fresh lemon juice and grated Parmigiano-Reggiano. Makes about 3/4 cup of crumbs.

Corn Chimichurri

Working over a bowl, grate 4 just-shucked ears of fresh sweet corn on the large holes of a grater; discard the corn cobs. Stir 1/2 cup minced parsley, 1 tablespoon each of minced shallot and fresh lemon juice, 1 finely grated small garlic clove and 1/4 cup olive oil into the corn puree and season with salt and pepper. Serve with grilled shrimp. Makes 1 cup.