Typically, that means helping oneself from a platter of cheese, garnished with fresh or dried fruits, almonds and/or walnuts.

And typically, people eat far more cheese than they should. The suggested serving size is one or two ounces; we probably can put away six ounces before we know it.

The problem is not just the 100 calories per meager ounce of cheese (one slice of American cheese is an ounce—so imagine what that wedge you’ve carved off weighs). Cheese also has a high level of saturated fat (cholesterol).

Here’s one way to have your cheese plate and eat it too—with far less saturated fat:

Even if you think you don’t like it, try fresh goat’s milk cheese. It’s like tangy cream cheese, and doesn’t have the “goaty” flavor that some people dislike in an aged goat cheese. These days you can find a fresh goat cheese (chèvre) log in most supermarkets.

Goat’s milk cheese has fewer calories and fat* than cow’s and sheep’s milk cheeses:

 
*Category averages. Some cheeses may have more calories and fat.

Turn soft goat cheese into truffles rolled in chopped nuts—pistachios are a delicious pairing—and you’ll discover a new way to enjoy cheese.

RECIPE: GOAT CHEESE TRUFFLES

Ingredients

 
PLUS:

 
Preparation

1. Mash goat cheese in a bowl. Stir in minced cranberries.

2. Scoop with a teaspoon and roll into truffle-size balls, 1 to 1-1/4 inches in diameter. Set on wax paper.

3. Roll balls in chopped pistachios. Return to wax paper. Refrigerate until 20 minutes before serving.

Assembly

On a dessert-size plate, assemble the fruit, pistachios and 3-4 goat cheese truffles.

WINE: Enjoy with a glass of moscato.

LEFTOVERS: If you have extra goat cheese truffles, wrap them tightly in plastic film and serve them with tomorrow’s breakfast eggs or dinner salad. Add any extra pistachios, whole/shelled or chopped, to your salad as well.

Large brands typically come with expiration dates (and possibly, preservatives). If you purchase an artisan brand, it has no preservatives; but it may not have an expiration date, either. So here are the guidelines:

Find more of our favorite peanut butter brands, recipes and more in our Peanut Butter & Jelly Section.

Just pour the sauce tray on top of the pasta
and you’ve got a tasty pasta entrée. Shown: one cooked entrée and two packages waiting
for the microwave. Photo by Elvira Kalviste |
THE NIBBLE.

The innovation: a pasta meal that is shelf stable (no refrigeration required), portable (toss the package into your bag and head out) and ready to eat in a minute.

At $3.29 per package (one serving), this may not be an everyday solution for many families. But when children are screaming for food, or you are extremely time strapped, it can be a godsend. The mezze penne size used in most of the varieties is good for small mouths as well as large ones.

Barilla microwaveable meals are made from the same 100% natural ingredients as Barilla dry pasta and jarred sauces. Now in select stores in the microwavable meals aisle, the choices include:

 
The innovative packaging of Barilla microwaveable meals maintains the food’s taste, texture and freshness for a shelf life of 12 months, at room temperature. The pasta and sauce are stored in separate trays, allowing consumers to use as much or as little sauce as they like.

We enjoyed the meals, and are especially pleased that there are two whole grain varieties (if you’re going to eat high-carb pasta and bread, make them whole grain for a nutritional benefit). We have just two nits:

 
For additional information on Barilla microwaveable meals, visit BarillaUS.com.

Find more of our favorite pastas, sauces and recipes in our Gourmet Pasta Section.
*Based on the Percent Daily Values, which are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, as per the Nutrition Facts Panel.