Velveeta

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bethzaring

Master Chef
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Well folks, lets just duke it out right now:bangin:

I have not thought of Velvetta in decades, since my childhood. I love cheese and spend time loitering around cheese counters when I visit stores that have them. I do not find Velvetta cheese in the refrigerated cheese counters I visit, thus it has not been on my mind. BUT this past week, when I went to the market for some onions I cruised past the cheese counter to see the offerings, nothing there that caught my interest:( . But just past the cheese counter, on a regular shelf, was VELVETTA, in boxes, not refrigerated. How can grocery stores do that? Also on the Velvetta shelf were those green canisters of parmesan cheese. Again, how can parmesan cheese not be refrigerated? My guess is that it is not real food.

I chuckled when mylegsbig recently said he wanted to use the best ingredients in a home made version of hamburger helper and was intending to use Velvetta, I was thinking, I don't think so. If you really want to use the best ingredients, please get rid of the Velvetta. I also want to use the best ingredients in the foods I prepare and Velvetta does not make the cut, plastic tasting water added to some processed cheese food. And I now realize it is not even refrigerated in the grocery stores, that is a big red flag for me. Real food is perishable. If Velvetta is not refrigerated, then it can not be real food.

The intent of this post is to get folks to think about the ingredients they buy and use. Of course I fully realize that we consumers vote with our dollars. If people stop buying velvetta, it will stop being offered. But by the amount of dry shelf space that was devoted to velvetta, that ain't gonna happen soon.
 
Velveta is a stabilized processed American cheese spread...so for folks who simply want to melt up some cheese without making a bechamel sauce, it's going to work...it is real food, and contains real American cheese and milk etc. Pure cheeses will break down into their fat and milk solids when heated. The acids which are responsible for the sharpness in flavor may also change. Velveta is shelf stable until opened. THe parmesan and romano cheeses in grated canned form also have stabilizers and preservatives added. But they are real cheese in most cases. Some lesser brands may be flavored saw dust, but KRAFT does make cheese. I just prefer to buy the block or wedge of better quality.
 
You will notice on the ethnic aisle that there are bottled Italian parm cheeses that don't require refrigeration--until opening. There are many industrial processes that allow this.
Velveeta has never required refrigeration--until opened. It has a purpose. I don't use it much any more because there are better alternatives.
 
bethzaring said:
...Real food is perishable. If Velvetta is not refrigerated, then it can not be real food...

I don't use Velveeta myself. However, I will take exception to your blanket trashing of processed foods (or at least, processed cheeses). I started shying away from absolute statements some time ago. They are seldom accurate. As Robo explained, it's real food that's been modified from its original form to make it more convenient. Convenience is not a curse.

Keep in mind that real wheels of Parmesan cheese and real whole prosciutto hams are stored in unrefrigerated buildings for months before being sold.

That being said, on the rare occasions when I've made mac and cheese, I've use unprocessed cheeses, whole milk and butter in the recipe. I did, however, buy factory made elbow macaroni that I don't store in the fridge.
 
Beth, by your definition, most food in the grocery store isn't "real food" ... do you make your own ketchup, mayo, salad dressing or mustard? Do you make all your soups from scratch, including your stock? As already stated, there are foods that are processed to keep until opened - like Velveeta, ketchup, mustard, etc... This includes alot of dairy that you can find ... "real" eggs don't need to be refridgerated and "real" cheese that is wax covered doesn't either.

You also make the point that people vote with their dollars ... like many people, when I was first out of college, those dollars were not plentiful and I bought what I could. Let's see ... $4.99 for a 3 lb block of Velveeta or $4.99 for a 1/2 lb block of "real" cheddar. Hmmmmmm ... Is there a difference? Of course but let's get real (and off our high horses) - for some people, it's not about taste but being able to make a meal for their family that they can say is homemade and a little healthier than what might be in a box. It's also convience ... so because I buy the cheese singles to make our lunches with, does that mean I'm not being true to my Wisconsin roots by not using "real" cheese?

I would surely hope that if any of us were to criticize what others were cooking with, that our pantries and refridgerators would be clear of all those offending products. Those who live in glass houses should not have food fights. :)
 
bethzaring said:
Well folks, lets just duke it out right now:bangin:
Real food is perishable. If Velvetta is not refrigerated, then it can not be real food.

Beth, there are no hard cheeses that have to be refrigerated. The reason cheese was made in the first place was to preserve milk for later use. Refrigerators have only become commonplace in the last 70 years...cheese has been made for hundreds of years.
We only refrigerate it now because it increases the shelf life.

Velveeta melts beautifully, thus making it great for casseroles and grilled sandwiches. I raised my kids on it, because I couldn't afford fancier cheeses. Now that I can afford them, I still keep a box of Velveeta on hand because...
I LIKE IT!
 
We don't have Velveeta in the UK (or not in my neck of the woods), consequently I'm unable to comment on the product.

BUT, I do eat as organically as possible - but this seems to be easier over here than in certain areas of the States. Doesn't mean I have to force others to believe that my way is the way THEY should eat! Goodness, I don't eat veal, (or foie gras) on ethical grounds.... doesn't mean I'm going to stop people cooking wonderful dishes with veal, I just can't bring MYSELF to eat it... and for some classic veal dishes, I just substitute thin cut pork escallopes for the veal. Most people can't tell the difference!:)

I think live and let live must be the motto that we all cook by:chef:
 
bethzaring said:
If you really want to use the best ingredients, please get rid of the Velvetta. I also want to use the best ingredients in the foods I prepare and Velvetta does not make the cut, plastic tasting water added to some processed cheese food.

If people stop buying velvetta, it will stop being offered. But by the amount of dry shelf space that was devoted to velvetta, that ain't gonna happen soon.

Don't care for it. Never have. I buy fresh cheese at the deli counter, even if it is $8.00 a pound to make sandwiches. Velveeta will probably hang around for a long time. Some people like it and buy it. The green stuff in a can -- sawdust, IMO.

Part of a large chunk of my grocery bill goes toward cheese (and fresh deli)... cause I love cheese.

BTW, you forgot to mention that stuff in a can, and the individually sliced, plastic cheese food products, wrapped in plastic.:rolleyes:
 
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Mish
We've GOT that Kraft individually wrapped stuff in some of our supermarkets. Not that I've ever tasted it, but we've got it!

Like you, I pay more to get what I want. I've been buying organic foods for over 10 years - and yes, in comparison to some of my friends and relatives, my shopping bill is HUGE... but that's my choice - just as it's their's to buy processed meats etc!:)
 
Ishbel said:
Mish
We've GOT that Kraft individually wrapped stuff in some of our supermarkets. Not that I've ever tasted it, but we've got it!

Like you, I pay more to get what I want. I've been buying organic foods for over 10 years - and yes, in comparison to some of my friends and relatives, my shopping bill is HUGE... but that's my choice - just as it's their's to buy processed meats etc!:)

I agree, Ish. That's part of the reason my shopping bill is huge as well.:) What gets me, is the market charges a lot of $ for this stuff... even the slimy packaged lunch meat. Used to take it home, wipe it down with paper towels, UGGH. Agreed, it is an individual choice.

Somewhere is my memory bank, I recall? government cheese, perhaps in my grandma's day. If I remember, it was real cheese that came in wooden boxes.
 
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Hahhaaaa. When we go to Cornwall, we shop at a local supermarket (one that is available in my city, but I don't choose to use) - and it specialises in own brand stuff. I fell for it once and once only.... or my husband did. We bought a lot of food to take to the cottage, stuff for sandwiches etc - to keep us going for our two week stay. My husband was ecstatic, the bill was so low in comparison to our usual weekly one.. Then we tried the produce.....
'Nuff said :)

Now, we still have to use that supermarket - but only go for named brands.
 
"Somewhere is my memory bank, I recall? government cheese, perhaps in my grandma's day. If I remember, it was real cheese that came in wooden boxes."

Real American cheese is pretty tasty stuff. It comes in a "brick" or box. Eskay, Land O Lakes, and a few other companies still produce the "real thing". Kraft may still have a brick of American, but it was not as firm or tasty as the other two above. Velveta is processed from that and is made to melt without separation. If you ever come across GOv't surpluss food products, they tend to be the real thing. Gov't peanut butter was just ground peanuts; you had to mix the oil back in to spread it. Gov't corn meal was often stone ground in historic mills kept going by the Park Service.
 
Robo410 said:
"Somewhere is my memory bank, I recall? government cheese, perhaps in my grandma's day. If I remember, it was real cheese that came in wooden boxes."

Real American cheese is pretty tasty stuff. It comes in a "brick" or box. Eskay, Land O Lakes, and a few other companies still produce the "real thing". Kraft may still have a brick of American, but it was not as firm or tasty as the other two above. Velveta is processed from that and is made to melt without separation. If you ever come across GOv't surpluss food products, they tend to be the real thing. Gov't peanut butter was just ground peanuts; you had to mix the oil back in to spread it. Gov't corn meal was often stone ground in historic mills kept going by the Park Service.

Thanks, Robo. Didn't know if anyone remembered the stuff. It was good and tasty, as I recall & it was American cheese.
 
Each to their own I guess,some folks love velvetta, I my self can take it or leave it, I like cheddar better (imo)
and I am certainly not gonna laugh because some one likes it/uses it
in their recipes...
I have a feeling, some folks are not gonna take to this thread...
 
Andy M. said:
However, I will take exception to your blanket trashing of processed foods (or at least, processed cheeses). I started shying away from absolute statements some time ago. They are seldom accurate. As Robo explained, it's real food that's been modified from its original form to make it more convenient. Convenience is not a curse.

Keep in mind that real wheels of Parmesan cheese and real whole prosciutto hams are stored in unrefrigerated buildings for months before being sold.

That being said, on the rare occasions when I've made mac and cheese, I've use unprocessed cheeses, whole milk and butter in the recipe. I did, however, buy factory made elbow macaroni that I don't store in the fridge.

Auntie M, I whole heartedly agree with you regarding making absolute statments, not a good thing to do. I am not interested in eating modified food and convenience has its costs, including montetary.

I would like to see real wheels of Parmesan cheese and prosciutto hams in my local store!! And why is it that we can leave macaroni and bread in the danger zone for days and not get sick?
 
The other day we were walking past the Velveeta, yep on the room temp shelf, and almost bought it.

Love cheese, have a bin full of many cheeses in the fridge.

It is the one food we would hate to give up.

But once in a while, a slice of Velveeta just kinda hits the spot.

Used to love to take one of those sandwich makers that you put the bread into, put on some cheese, smash the two pieces together, and heat it over the gas stove. The result is a square sealed sandwich. Add a bit of Worcestershire sauce to the cheese before you start, maybe a bit of hot sauce and it brings me back, oh, forty years or so.

We still have the sandwich makers, can get the Velveeta, and on some cold Sunday night next fall or winter will go for it.

Every once in a while just like the stuff.
 
JMediger said:
Beth, by your definition, most food in the grocery store isn't "real food" ... do you make your own ketchup, mayo, salad dressing or mustard? Do you make all your soups from scratch, including your stock? As already stated, there are foods that are processed to keep until opened - like Velveeta, ketchup, mustard, etc... This includes alot of dairy that you can find ... "real" eggs don't need to be refridgerated and "real" cheese that is wax covered doesn't either.

You also make the point that people vote with their dollars ... like many people, when I was first out of college, those dollars were not plentiful and I bought what I could. Let's see ... $4.99 for a 3 lb block of Velveeta or $4.99 for a 1/2 lb block of "real" cheddar. Hmmmmmm ... Is there a difference? Of course but let's get real (and off our high horses) - for some people, it's not about taste but being able to make a meal for their family that they can say is homemade and a little healthier than what might be in a box. It's also convience ... so because I buy the cheese singles to make our lunches with, does that mean I'm not being true to my Wisconsin roots by not using "real" cheese?

I would surely hope that if any of us were to criticize what others were cooking with, that our pantries and refridgerators would be clear of all those offending products. Those who live in glass houses should not have food fights. :)

Yes, I do not think most stuff in grocery stores IS real food.

"do you make your own ketchup, mayo, salad dressing or mustard? Do you make all your soups from scratch, including your stock? "

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, and yes. I even know the chickens and beef from which I make these products. I do believe real eggs need to be refrigerated and once waxed covered cheese is cut into, I refrigerate it.

I expect a certain level of competence from people contributing to some threads in these forums. If you have a computer and time to read this forum, you probably are not struggeling to put a meal on the family table. I have a great deal of respect for the people who post here and like to challenge their thinking. I just found it very incongruous to be talking of high quality ingredients and velvetta in the same sentence. Robo answered my puzzlement when he said
"Velveta is a stabilized processed American cheese spread", not something that I want to pass my lips. I am expressing my opinion and do not want to offend anyone with my opinions. But I do have a great deal of experience with food and judging by what is sold in grocery stores, most Americans make poor food choices. We can make a difference in our purchasing power if we choose unadulterated, wholesome foods with our food dollar votes. I am all about education, reading, thinking, questioning.

Thanks all for responding!
 
Sorry, but I'm a "live & let live person" too. I do NOT want anyone telling me what I should & should not do with my grocery dollars.

I buy very little "processed" food, but if I want to buy Velveeta for something, I'll buy it. If I feel like a "comfort food" meal of frozen fish sticks & Kraft Mac & Cheese, I'll buy it. Other than those particulars, and, of course, processed condiments, probably the only other processed food item I purchase on a fairly regular basis are Zatarain's rice mixes, simply because I like them. They're spicy, quick, & with the addtion of okra, sausage, chicken, &/or shrimp they make a nice meal.

All in all, I don't think anyone has the right to tell anyone else what they should or should not buy/eat. If you want to go on an "anti- Velveeta" campaign, Bethzaring, go ahead. That's your right & what helps make the good old USA great, but one would think there'd be more worthwhile things to campaign against.

P.S. Velveeta is GREAT for camping trips!! We always take some because we don't have to stick it in the cooler until we've opened it, & it keeps beautifully there. Makes great omelettes, rice & cheese, & mac & cheese - melting quickly without the need to incorporate it into a sauce - when you're out in the deep woods.
 
bethzaring said:
most Americans make poor food choices.

I do agree with this statement somewhat, maybe not to the extent of "most Americans", but many do. This isn't only regarding purchases at a grocer, but restaurant choices as well. Heck, even I'm guilty of eating at fast food places way more often than I should. I think many people don't KNOW what's good food, so many choices are made due to a lack of knowledge more than anything. Also, personal finances has a lot to do with it. I know that the majority of people would not be able to afford eat at or stay at the hotel where I work, but that's just how it is.
 
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