Grated Parmesan Cheese Question

[Snuff]

I was just wondering, for the "grated parmesan cheese" what exactly do they mean? Can I use the bottled parmesan, or should I buy fresh? It doesn't really specify which to use, and I don't want to mess up the recipe by using the wrong type!

Any help in this matter would be greatly appreciated!

TIA



Ingredients:

1/3 cup all purpose flour
3 cups low-fat (1%) milk
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 teaspoon butter


Prep:

Whisk flour in heavy medium saucepan to remove any lumps. Gradually add 1 cup milk, whisking until smooth. Add remaining 2 cups milk and nutmeg; whisk over medium heat until mixture thickens and boils, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in Parmesan and butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Makes 3 cups.

[Andrea_2]

I always grate it fresh. Can't stand the bottled stuff!

[valchemist]

the deli section of my store sells cheese that they grate fresh. I buy that. I know it might taste better to grate my own, but I can't be bothered.

[Chelle D]

I buy it at Sam's and grate my own as needed. You could buy pre-grated, but I would not use the pwdered stuff. I keep that onhand for my popcorn only :)

[susan_foster]

With that much parmesan, I would definitely go with freshly grated. If you don't have the time to do it yourself, from the clear plastic tubs.

Susan

[SusanMac]

For a cheese sauce like that, you definitely need fresh. I don't think the canned Kraft stuff would ever give you a decent sauce. (I dont' use it anymore for anything, since I prefer fresh cheese for eating & cooking). And, fresh parm cheese lasts literally forever, so it's worth the extra cost.

[Snuff]

Thanks everybody for responding so quickly, I will definately go with fresh grated parmesan.

[mom2garret]

I do not grate my own either. I however, NEVER use the green canned impersonator! Go to the deli section and they have it there already freshly grated. My store carries shredded, etc.
Jodi

[PAMMELA]

I however, NEVER use the green canned impersonator!


Like Chelle, I must have the green stuff for my popcorn! Otherwise, I buy the pregrated from the deli section. ;)

[mom2garret]

Like Chelle, I must have the green stuff for my popcorn! Otherwise, I buy the pregrated from the deli section. ;)

hmmmmmmmm, I have never tried it on popcorn. I think I will have to try it!
Jodi

[funniegrrl]

Yeah, the green can DOES come in handy. For me the ultimate comfort food is well-salted cooked spaghetti or other pasta, with lots of butter and green can parmesan. This was a favorite treat when I was a kid, when we didn't know parmesan cheese came any other way, and you probably couldn't have found a hunk of it in any store in our area anyway!

[PAMMELA]

Spaghetti with butter and green canned parmesan.... YUMMY!!!! :D

As far as the popcorn goes, must have REAL butter, CANNED parmesan cheese and Lawry's seasoned salt. :)

[mrswaz]

Lol.

I took my kids to my DB's house for dinner, and he made spaghetti and garlic bread for dinner. We all sat at the table, and DD (5) proceeded to ask for the "sprinkle cheese" for her spaghetti. Well, DB handed her a green can and she was really confused. I had to show her how to shake it out, and she looked at me and said "Mommy, that's not cheese!" And DS (20 mos) was angry because he couldn't use his fingers to reach into the tub of cheese and get his own sprinkles for his spaghetti.

I was so proud of my kids... :p

[AndreaU]

I can't remember the last time I bought canned parm...

IMO you can never mess up a recipe with freshly grated parmesan. I don't think any recipe would necessarily be "awful" with canned cheez- use what you have, but if you've never tried the fresh stuff... go for it! I did and never went back.