Say CHEESE!!

When I set out to leave fast food behind by attempting to cook all my meals at home, it wasn't long before I started growing mold in my fridge. Gross, yes, I know! Everything seemed to go bad before I finished it, which was so frustrating! 

Cheese was the worst. The only kind that didn't go bad was sliced cheese, but I eat more than sandwiches and needed something better for cooking.

I tried cutting back to buying only one variety of cheese, but that greatly limited the recipes I could try each week. Only one kind of cheese couldn't provide the cooking flexibility I needed to cook Mexican one night and Italian the next. 

Eventually, I learned a few tips for buying cheese when you're cooking for only one person along with multiple recipes to utilize it all before it goes bad.

My Top 3 Tips for Buying Cheese for One:

1 - Blocked 

First, I need mozzarella cheese for when I cook Italian. However, since I don't need very much of it at a time, I need cheese with a long shelf life, which is why I buy mozzarella cheese by the 8 oz block. I can shred it for pizza, cube it to melt in sauce, and slice it for pizza subs. Then, if I still have some left as it nears the expiration date, simply cube it and serve with wine!! Perfect :-)

2 - Shredded

I've tried a lot of different shredded cheeses, but the one kind I can't go without is cheddar. I tried Mexican blends since I use shredded cheese for tacos and nachos, but I found that basic cheddar is more versatile. Now, I buy shredded Velveeta cheese. Velveeta melts quickly, which makes the shredded version perfect for topping casseroles or nachos as soon as they come out of the oven. It's also good for topping salads, and I love how it melt right in when used to top soups (loaded potato, taco, broccoli and cheese, etc.).

3- Sliced

Last but not least, this is where I vary my purchases a bit, but my two favorite sliced cheeses are Pepper Jack and Swiss. The right slice of cheese takes a sandwich to the next level, but it can also easily be incorporated into sauces or dips. These two cheeses offer simple switch ups to many different recipes. Plus, I love a good Turkey and Swiss croissant!! (FYI- my next post gives ideas to switch up your turkey sandwich!)

One thing I highly recommend is REAL cheese. 

That's worth repeating.

Buy REAL cheese. Don't buy cheese product. It's worth the few extra pennies.

Simply Snacking Tips

Potato chips are a typical go-to snack, but not for me (at least, not anymore!). As a single lady, I've learned that I want to make the most of my grocery budget. Simple snacks that are filling and healthy have taken the place of chips and cookies, and I love the results! Not only do I feel good about myself for eating healthy, I also feel like I'm rewarding myself with special treats!

So here are some tips I've developed for myself regarding snacking habits:

Quality cheese - I buy cheese in blocks because it seems to stay fresh longer that way. I usually keep mozzarella and colby jack on hand for cooking, so I simply cut a chunk of the block into cubes for snacks. See tomorrow's post for more tips on buying and using cheese when you're cooking for one.

Fresh fruit - I prefer strawberries, apples, and bananas because I can make other things with them as well. For a week's grocery trip, 2 apples, 2 bananas, and a small package of strawberries is just right. I dice the strawberries and freeze half of them immediately, and slice both apples before drizzling them with lemon juice and storing in a tightly sealed container in the fridge (unless I am planning an apple cobbler). 

Chocolate - My go-to chocolate fixes are Hershey's spreads (so many flavors!) and dark chocolate chips. Dark chocolate has many health benefits, so it's smart to substitute dark for milk chocolate whenever possible. I use the spreads and chocolate chips in other recipes, too, so I always keep both on hand. They stay fresh a long time, so I don't have to worry about either spoiling, which is always a concern when grocery shopping for one.

Occasionally, I'll actually make this my evening meal by simply adding some good quality crackers and thinly sliced turkey from the deli, which I roll up and hold with a toothpick. Add a glass of pinot grigio? Perfect girls night in!

I mean, how can I go wrong with strawberries, chocolate, and wine?