Government Cheese

I grew up in a hard working middle class family- but we lived in an area of Connecticut that had more than its fair share of upper class folks (think country clubs, BMWs, and overpriced restaurants in the town center).

Not too far away, there was a small, exclusive boarding school for boys. My friend got wind that they were having a dance, and obviously, needed girls. We made our best attempt to look well bred and hopped in my parents' Aerostar mini van.

All was going well at the dance... that is, until one friend, in a nervous moment talking to a boy, disclosed that government cheese makes excellent grilled cheese sandwiches.

Pause tape.

OK- here we are, surrounded by cute, rich boys, and she says WHAT?!! Needless to say, her new friend could not relate. The details get fuzzy after that- but I'm pretty sure it was a night-ender.

I haven't had the opportunity to try government cheese, although I bet it does taste darn good.

However, here's what I am digging these days- cheese scraps from the deli, which I think are about as sexy as the government variety.

I always saw them there- sitting in their little styrofoam package- looking all pathetic and frazzled. It was my mother who picked them up and said, "I bet the kids would love these... you break their cheese into little bits anyway." You know what? She was right. For $2.99 a pound, there is a sweet variety of cheese in that package.

So I'm over my deli snobbery... I don't need cheese cut fresh from the block... and I will be darn proud if my little girl spills the beans to someone at some snooty dance someday.