Product reviewed: Microplane Mixing Bowl Grater
I love adding grated vegetables to salads, baked goods and practically anything else. And, of course, I love freshly grated cheese. It is so lovely to grate a block cheese rather than buy pre-shredded cheese, which often has potato starch preservative. Additives in pre-shredded cheese usually affect how well it melts, but freshly grated cheese melts like a dream and tastes so fresh!
The Microplane Mixing Bowl Grater lies flat on top of a mixing bowl or can be placed horizontally inside or at an angle for larger bowls. 
It has standard-sized holes that work well for vegetables, cheese or other foods you want to grate. Positioning this grater over or inside a mixing bowl allows you to grate food directly into the bowl.
I typically use a box grater at home, so I wasn’t sure how I would like this version. After a few tries to find a bowl that perfectly fit the grater, I was ready to give it a whirl. The grater stayed in place atop the bowl and made grating fast and easy. I also tried it on a slant with a larger bowl, and it worked well. When I laid the grater across a smaller bowl, it worked fine but I had to hold it in place.
I sometimes use a food processor for grating, but it always seems like too much work to clean the whole food processor just for this simple task. Compared to a box grater or food processor, the Microplane Mixing Bowl Grater is so much easier to clean!
A grater is a simple tool, but one that everyone needs in their kitchen. This one was no hassle, does its job perfectly and is easy to clean. I love the sleek design and how easy it is to store anywhere. There are no bells and whistles, but I’d recommend it just the same to anyone who needs a high-quality grater.
Cinnamon Apple Quinoa Bars
Recipe developed by Kelli Shallal
Ingredients
- 4 ounces unsweetened natural applesauce
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 large egg
- ⅓ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup honey
- ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk)
- 1 cup grated apples (about 1 apple grated, squeezed to remove excess moisture)
- 1 cup cooked quinoa
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ cup walnuts
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Combine applesauce, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, egg, peanut butter, honey and almond milk in a small bowl and mix well.
- Next, add in the grated apples, quinoa, oats, baking soda and walnuts. Mix until just combined and consistent.
- Spoon into a greased 8-by-8-inch pan and bake at 375°F for 20 minutes.
- Let cool completely (at least 30 minutes), then cut into 6 to 8 bars.
- Store in refrigerator for up to a week.
