Before I set out on maternity leave, a certain squash blossom friend was so sweet to gift me a Wegman’s grocery store gift card. Her brilliant intention was to allow me a chance to run and grab some cooked dinner (because their selection is incredible) when I didn’t have the time or energy to make it myself.
If you’re ever unsure of an excellent baby shower gift, I highly recommend a grocery store gift card with a kind note. SO helpful.
Anyhow, due to my extreme aversion to the terrifying traffic pattern that usually surrounds Wegman’s, I’ve held onto that gift card waiting for just the right time to swoop in and pounce on my grocery list.
Now, I highly doubt my squash blossom friend will mind, but I’ve become inspired beyond the original intentions of the gift. All of these cooking shows are making me jealous of their generous and liberal use of cheese.
Square Piece loves cheese.
But the fact remains that cheese can be pricey. Brian likes to buy the Costco’s shredded, Mexican 4-blend, which takes me an eternity to use up. Rarely do I ever enjoy other types of cheese because I don’t want to be wasteful with what we have in our fridge.
But Giada keeps using mozzarella.
And Rachael keeps using parmigiano reggiano.
And, darn it, I just flat out like blue cheese… and whatever that fancy one with the apricots is… well, it sure looks good.
So I went on a cheese spree. And it felt wonderful. My fridge smells terrible, but my heart is full.
(PS: Thanks for the milk, eggs, creamer and produce, too, Melody! XOXO!)
i highly recommend rosemary asiago if you can find it there
also (again, if you can find them) applewood smoked cheddar, creamy gouda, and there’s this cheese that i can’t remember the name of, but it’s a little sharp, a little creamy, and loaded with cranberries–AWESOME on turkey sandwiches!
yeah, in case you haven’t guessed, a fair amount of my grocery budget gets spent at the cheese department of my favorite gourmet grocery store
The way I figure, if I get really good at making the basics on a teeny budget (sauces, creams, gravies, meats, etc.), then I can afford to treat myself to the yummy cheeses!
And – oh my! – I was right about the apricot white stilton!
Hooray for a smelly fridge and a full heart.
…I don’t admit this to many people but I have a portion of my grocery budget that is meant for less common cheeses. (If it costs $15lb or more its probably has my eye on it) my favorite thus far has been a Black Diamond Pimento cheese…I could eat it all day.
*warm fuzzy feeling*
Port Salut is my secret ingredient for ooey grilled cheese, it has a consistency like cold Brie, and it melts like a dream. Very decadent with tomato soup. I’m sure, by the way, cheese aficionados will cringe at the pedestrian use of it, but that’s just real life speaking.
Also the one I keep an extra $10-20 in the back oh my imaginary food budget is something called Istara P’tit Basque: a hard sheep’s milk cheese that’s mild, nutty and slightly fruity. Oh my.
Check out reluctant gourmet.com and zingermans.com
Isn’t a decadent grilled cheese sandwich what a grown woman deserves?
My mother-in-law works in Wegman’s cheese shop (The Dulles/Ashburn one)! She’s always talking about these crazy cheeses, but I still to my plain and basic Mexican blend. :]
I do love me some cheese too. Yum!
Sorry for the late post! I’m so glad you’ve finally indulged in all that Wegmens cheese shop as to offer!!! The possibilities are endless :0)
Ha! I just realized that I left some more cheese out of this picture! Seriously… cheese SPREE.
I wait for Saturday and Sunday to eat ‘real cheese’. The Stilton is one of my favorites. I love the apricot as well as the white stilton with cranberries. Currently have Raw Sheep’s milk Manchega for tomorrow (Spanish). So happy I helped provide this wonderful indulgence. š