Well, I have another food thing that has been bugging me lately. Shredded cheese. Growing up I know my mom always had to shred the cheese for meals like tacos or even lasagna. They didn't make shredded cheese like they do now...or maybe she just didn't buy into it. So I am challenging myself to buy LESS shredded cheese. I am not committing to not buying it at all because as a mom with kids, a mom in a meal group that makes four pans of lasagna at one stretch, and a wife to a husband who loves his cheesy quesidillas, I know there will always be times when buying already shredded cheese wins out.
BUT SERIOUSLY! Have you bought a block of cheese lately and shredded it and used it on your tacos. It tastes like cheese! It feels like cheese! It is cheese! There are no weird enzymes, chemicals, or bacteria added to make it mold slower, not stick etc. I have a friend who had to go gluten free and she pointed out that they use gluten to keep some cheese from not sticking. This is what got me thinking...what is that powdery stuff on the cheese.
So in our house, from now on, I am going to try and challenge myself to shred my own cheese more often. It really doesn't take all that much longer. My shredder goes in the dishwasher. And while reading up on what they use to make shredded cheese keep in your fridge for weeks....seriously, weeks - kind of disturbing...I read that if you spray your grater with Pam spray it washes/rinses up really easy....I am going to try that next time.
So carrots...shredded cheese....is there another food that I should be thinking about?
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8 comments:
I love real shredded cheese, it is what I grew up on as well.
Want to know what makes it even easier to grate a big block?
A food processor. I have a Cuisinart. Yes they are pricey but so worth the investment. I got mine as a Xmas gift a couple years after we were married.
I love that thing! Get one, you won't regret it.
As for other things I don't buy packaged, Lettuce, that whole lettuce in a bag I try to avoid. And I also never buy those pre frozen or refrigerated cookie doughs.
Pre Shredded Cheese is definitely Sub-Par at best. I only buy it when it's price is lower per ounce. It doesn't happen very often, but usually the deal is too good to past up.
freshly shredded cheese is DIVINE!
I am definitely going to try the Pam trick.
I buy blocks and grate/shred it myself....it just tastes better! And I find it wins hands-down in cooked recipes as well (casseroles, lasagna, etc.)I will even shred/grate and put it in containers/bags and freeze it. It keeps well! I rarely buy the pre-shredded stuff anymore.
I buy the real cheese and grate it myself. We are huge cheese eaters and eat it sliced, in blocks and grated so to have it all in grated form doesn't really work. Besides that it doesn't taste as good AND it's more expensive!
I hadn't really thought about this...but, we often buy shredded, and then it can, obviously, only be used in shredded form. If I bought a block, I could use it shredded, sliced for sandwiches, snacks...and not waste any. Why didn't I think of that sooner? Thanks, Sarah!!!
Kim
Thanks for the reminder that easier isn't always better!!! I will too try to buy more block cheese!
I really like this idea, but I LOVE the tip about the Pam...have you tried the Nature's Promise spray too? It's organic...I have no idea what they put in Pam either...freaks me out! I'll try to purchase less grated cheese and give my arm a work out instead!
P.S. - Totally agree with you on the carrots...kudos!
I shred my own also & have for 10 + yrs when I figured out that the 'salad shooter' we got for a wedding gift 3 yrs b4, would do cheese in a jiffy :) I think its more economical as well as healthier to buy the block & shred @ home :) great post!!
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