14 Reasons to Love Your Box Grater

Pity the box grater. The once loyal stalwart of the home cook was long ago supplanted by the novelty of the rasp grater (Parmesan like snow!) and the innumerable shredding blades of the food processor. But it's still hard to beat the convenience and adaptability of a tool that can go from counter to dishwasher with no hard-to-clean moving parts. Not to mention a design that has a blade for seemingly every kitchen situation. Need proof? Here are 14 new ways to use your new (old) favorite tool.

For the impatient (or forgetful) baker who has no time to let butter soften, try this trick: shred a cold stick of butter on the big holes of the grater, wait a couple of minutes and voila! A room temperature spread ready to cream into your favorite cookie and cake batters.

For homemade veggie noodles, place the grater on its side, large holes-up. Then run the full length of a trimmed zucchini on the holes.

Toasted fresh breadcrumbs add extra crunch to gratins, casseroles and pasta. Upcycle that stale baguette, leftover toast or neglected sandwich loaf by grating it in hunks or slices on the large holes of a box grater. (You can freeze the slices first to make them stiffer and easier to handle.) Use the crumbs on the spot or stow them in a resealable plastic bag for later (no defrosting necessary).