"Fall sure came up fast!"

Go anywhere this time of year and you're bound to hear someone make this all-too-familiar comment.

Besides being an easy ice breaker in the elevator or the grocery line, have you noticed how this simple, common, matter of fact phrase can evoke such emotionally saturated responses?

“Yea, right?!”, “Where did summer go?”, or simply, “UGHHHHHH!”

For some, the mere mention of fall can bring about thoughts of an end to everything good. Flip flops, cookouts, and the summer break, to name just a few. Or, it marks the beginning of all things bad such as, shortened days, carpools, homework, and meals that would be so much better if they cooked themselves. It’s no wonder that for many, this time of year can be host to feelings of anxiety, or even dread. Yikes!

While this is all true, of course, I’ve always been encouraged and delighted by those who respond to that common fall phrase with excitement and optimism! Yes, there is reason for this, too! The beginning of fall marks that blissful eight or so weeks when the weather is, arguably, even better, we can stop pretending other people in flip flops don’t gross us out, and kids have finally gone back to school! All good things! That doesn’t even touch on the fall colors, the comfort food, the return of football, the excitement of approaching holidays, and did I mention, kids are back in school?!

I digress, because whichever camp you fall into, there is still a common feeling that binds us all; urgency. Let's be honest, we all could use a little help making the most of our time, whether that means planning mid-week dinners around kids’ practices and parent/teacher conferences, or starting that new spin class to work off those summer ice cream treats. Like anything, a little planning and prep work goes a long way!

For my wife and me, one of the easiest places to start is with what we keep on hand. It is sometimes surprising, even for me, having been surrounded by cheese all my life, how just a few versatile, flavorful cheeses can turn that dreaded “what are we having for dinner?” conversation into an easy, flavorful idea. So with fall upon us, I thought I’d share a couple ideas that make our life easier and feel particularly well suited for this time of year.

Cheddar Cheese Curds

The easiest snack might already be in your refrigerator. (Or on your counter, IYKYK)

There is probably no cheese that requires less explanation than a good cheese curd. Grab a handful and eat them. That's about as complicated as it gets.

Mild and creamy, cheddar cheese curds have that familiar fresh, springy texture that makes them as tasty as they are fun to eat. They're especially handy when you're trying to put together something quick because they don't need to be turned into anything. They're already ready to go.

When in need of a little pre-or-post lunch pick me up, I like putting together a little grazing plate with curds, sliced apples or grapes, crackers, nuts, and maybe some summer sausage. It's easy enough to throw together between activities, but substantial enough to keep from standing in the pantry rummaging through handfuls of random snacks.

And of course, curds don't have to be confined to the snack category. Besides the ease of tossing some into a lunchbox, you could chop and top a salad or baked potato, or drop a few into a hot bowl of chili (seriously, one of the best underrated ways to enjoy cheese curds!) They’re versatile enough to use anywhere you'd normally reach for cubed cheddar.

The No-Recipe Snack Plate
Cheese curds + fruit + crackers + something salty. That's it. No cooking. No recipe. No dishes beyond the cutting board. And sometimes that's exactly what you need.

Colby Monterey Jack

Speaking of versatility, CoJack truly is the cheese that can do it all. Where cheese curds may be the easy snack to pack, Colby Jack with its mild, creamy flavor and easy slice-ability, shred-ability, melt-ability, and pair-ability means it can do just about anything.

This makes it a particularly useful cheese to have around when you're trying to make lunches and quick meals without having to think too hard about what everyone will actually eat.

Slice it for a ham sandwich. Cube it for snacking. Shred it into a quesadilla. Melt it between two pieces of bread for grilled cheese. And those are just the obvious ones. One of the things I like about a cheese like Colby Jack is that it doesn't demand much inspiration to build a meal with it. It just fits in.

Grilled Cheese
Colby Monterey Jack melts beautifully between two slices of bread. Add ham, turkey, bacon, tomato, or whatever happens to be in the fridge.

Ham & Cheese Sandwich
Yes, the tried and true most basic of all sandwiches, because sometimes simple really is better. Good ham, sliced Colby Jack, your favorite mustard, and bread. And if you’re like us, this can easily make for multiple lunches in the week without ever becoming stale.

Egg Bites
Here is where having a small amount of pre-chopped veggies will make the difference. Beat ten or so eggs in a pourable glass measuring cup. Pour into an oiled muffin tin and add  whatever vegetables, bacon, ham, or sausage you have available. Top each with some shredded Colby Jack cheese and bake. In about 20 minutes you've got an easy breakfast that can be grabbed throughout the week.

Snack Cubes
One small step more involved than cheese curds. Cut some cheese into cubes and put them alongside fruit, crackers, pretzels, or nuts. Done. One of the easiest ways to fill out the lunchbox or whip up an afternoon snack.

Pizza Jack

Because there are certain nights when everyone is perfectly happy to eat whatever is put in front of them, and then there are nights when everyone has an opinion. Or so I hear from friends and family with kids to feed.

If this were the case for me, I’d be reaching for Pizza Jack.

Pizza Jack brings together the creaminess of Monterey Jack with the familiar and universally loved flavors of pizza; tomato, herbs, and garlic. It's flavorful enough to make a simple meal feel special, but versatile enough that you're not locked into making an actual pizza.
Although, let's be honest, pizza is a pretty good place to start.

Homemade (or even re-topped frozen) Pizza:
If making pizza at home, one of its best arguments has to be that everyone can make their own. Put out the crust, sauce, Pizza Monterey Jack, and a variety of toppings and suddenly everyone is helping make dinner. Just cheese for one, or only meat for another, whatever makes everyone happy. And because the cheese is already bringing full flavors to the table, you don't have to pile on a dozen ingredients to make it taste good.

Egg Bites with Variety
Remember our egg bites? How about pizza for breakfast, because pizza flavors don't have to wait until dinner. Adding shredded Pizza Jack to your egg bite mixture with pepperoni, chopped peppers, or mushrooms completely transforms breakfast. And boom, variety!

Now, I know meal planning can sometimes sound like one more thing to add to an already crowded schedule. Believe me when I say that my wife and I have hit the grocery store with all the best meal prep intentions, only to find ourselves getting carryout by Wednesday. Certainly, nobody needs to spend their Sunday afternoon preparing 14 perfectly organized meals for the week.

But we’ve found that keeping things simple and having even just a few things ready to go can make a surprising difference. Pre-shred a little cheese. Rinse some fruit while a batch of egg bites bake. Chop extra of a veggie that can be tossed into multiple dishes, or add a variety of flavors to a dish you’re already making so leftovers don’t feel so much like, well, leftovers. None of it takes much effort individually, but when Wednesday rolls around and you've got somewhere to be in 45 minutes, you'll be glad you did.

As much as I joke about the return of school, schedules, and all the things that seem to make our calendars fill up overnight, I really do love this time of year. Fall has a way of bringing a little rhythm back into our lives. The mornings are cooler, the colors are coming, football is back, comfort food is calling, and before we know it, we'll be gathering around tables for the holidays.

And if there's one thing I've learned, it's that there is always room to make life just a little simpler without sacrificing the satisfaction of good food or time with family and friends. Sometimes all it takes is a few good things in the fridge, a little preparation, and a willingness to keep dinner simple. Here's to a wonderful fall, and I hope you find plenty of opportunities to slow down and enjoy it.

 

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