AIBU to wash my cheese?

[SENcatsandfish]

I buy pre grated cheese, but it always has that starch coating on and when it melts it goes a bit funny, and the texture and what it looks like put me off. So I chuck it in a sieve, rinse it, pat it dry and then use it as I normally would.

Someone looked at me as if id grown 2 heads when I was doing this so is it not a done thing? Am I the only person washing my cheese?

So, unreasonable = what on earth are you doing?
You are being reasonable = melted starchy cheese is gross

• [Note from MNHQ: Please read OP's subsequent posts before responding, especially the very next post in which she explains that she has a condition that affects her joints, including her wrists, which can easily be dislocated by grating cheese...]

Pre grated cheese is generally coated in potato starch and cellulose, derived from wood pulp, to prevent it sticking together. It often has natamycin as well, which is a natural mould inhibitor made from fermented bacteria. Delicious😂

Sorry about your EDS - well done you for managing to keep a sense of humour.
This gadget might be helpful for you
https://www.argos.co.uk/product/5790401?utm_custom6=LIA&deeplink=true&gclsrc=aw.ds&&cmpid=GS001&_$ja=tsid:59157|acid:598-923-9094|cid:20435174830|agid:|tid:|crid:|nw:x|rnd:5820117939874223888|dvc:c|adp:|mt:|loc:1007064&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=20435174830&utm_term=5790401&utm_content=shopping&utm_custom1=&utm_custom2=598-923-9094&GPDP=true&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=19671802213&gbraid=0AAAAAD9II9mzMPMKDp02jG4dS7Js2FdHm&gclid=CjwKCAjw46HPBhAMEiwASZpLRMamuuF4ZSARKw6C3qJ08yOA2-neMH-RDmHlOiqIClQ3irme7ULw1xoCMGcQAvD_BwE

Or you could just get yourself a food prep slave that you grate you some cheese , crop you some veg and portion them and put them in your freezer put them in your freezer. you could reward them with gin but make them unscrew the top

Ive lost 7 stone weight in the last year, and whilst ive found many benefit, I have found that my joint strength isn't as good. Its just the chub was giving it extra padding 🤣

Ive just adapted but yes its definitely time to look into what gadgets might help. Cheese grater is the first one to get. The hair washing extender sounds brilliant. Ill have a look on the sites because I cant even open a bottle of pop or a jam lid anymore.

Thank you for the advice!

I was picturing you rinsing off a block of cheddar under the tap, but this is even better 😂

This is what Mumsnet is all about

Thank you for this. I mostly stick it in the seive, run cold water onto it, move it about a bit whilst washing it, then use it straight away to cook with it.

This is both gross and weird.

I didn’t know either till last year and have only bought block cheese since. I don’t exactly enjoy the grating process after buy pre-grated for so long, but am trying to stay as whole food/minimal processed as possible when I can.

I never thought of the listeria aspect 😯. Definitely worth buying a gadget instead of washing cheese in that case.

What sort of quantities are you normally cooking? ie for a large family or just one/two people?

I have skeletal issues as well (but not EDS) and with all the family at home I found my Kenwood + attachments or old Magimix + attachments handled all the chopping, slicing, grating, pureeing, juice squeezing, grinding I could want. It was worth the investment. I also had someone handy to lift them onto the counter for me!

Now I’m mostly cooking for just me and I use one of the hand blender + attachment combos. Mine is the Braun 9 plus attachments from this range: https://www.braunhousehold.com/en-gb/c/food-preparation/hand-blenders

Its smaller, lightweight and perfectly manageable for me. There are cheaper models in the range and of course other makers.

Have a look at the options for this kind of device, maybe try one out if you can. You may find it transformative and that it negates the need to buy food ready chopped/grated.

Why am I so deeply troubled by this?

You know you can negate looking silly if you read the OPs updates.

I'm sure this will have suggested up-thread, but you need to get a food processor that has attachments for slicing and grating, as well as chopping and blending. It will be a game-changer for you if you have difficulties with the kinds of wrist and hand movements you need for food prep. You just pop the grater disc on and gently push the cheese through the tube at the top while it's switched on.

I don't have any disabilities but I use my food processor for grating cheese in large quantities because grating by hand really annoys me! I grate root veg with it too for things like salads or gratin.

I'm with OP on the grated cheese. I do also have block cheese, but, the more you handle it the more likely it is to get mouldy in my experience, so especially with the kids, I have a pack of grated mozzerella/cheddar in the freezer that they use to make pizzas, then the block is for nice things like sandwiches/toast/cheese sauce/snacks.

Washing it is a step too far though. That is a bit weird I'll grant you.

I would consider buying a block, grating and freezing that.. probably if I compared prices that's what I would do - except real mozzerella and the pre-grated stuff are such different animals, and I don't think you can freeze the real stuff.

You are not being unreasonable, because it's purely your preference. *mad as a box of frogs tho, but not unreasonable!

I use my braun hand blender for one thing or another most days, and the food processor/liquidiser basically never. The new ones with all the different attachments are fantastic.

It's the washing up I object to though - for some reason, they never seem to think about how to make it go in the dishwasher without collecting dirty water on the base/in the handle/INSIDE THE BASE (LOOKING AT YOU NINJA LIQUIDISER)

Just when I thought I’d heard everything.

I also want to know who the 6% are that voted YABNU! You mean to tell me there’s more of you cheese washing nut jobs out there?!

It was the OP’s second post and was on the first page.

Utterly baffled to be honest. I don't understand pre grated cheese. What is the point of your going to the effort of washing it?

My brain went straight there too! 😆

Do you need a lie down?

I've got a similar thing going on. I've found the IKEA rotary grater alright if I'm doing just a little amount but for buffets etc, out comes the food processor! Done in seconds. Might be worth getting something like that and doing a whole block if you'll use it up soon enough?

Washed cheese gives me the same 🤢 feeling as the horrible starchy grated stuff, but hey, if it works! I've done some weird things in my time but so long as it gets the job done... 😬😁

This is the first thread that’s actually had me laugh out loud. Never heard of anyone doing this. Proper funny.

Electric grater? Most will do multiple foods so would help with chopping other things too

Joke thread, surely!