"htn963" wrote

>I have about three-quarters left of a one pound three-year-old aged
> gouda cheese piece that a family member purchased at Costco -- it

> However, I now find its taste too
> strong for just plain eating -- it's salty and has an assertive flavor

> it's not spoiled, just not to my palate*, and I'd rather not throw it
> away, as one of my pet peeves is wasting food.

Please don't throw it away! If you really find little use for it, see if a
neighbor wants it.

Ideas for it's use:

Shred some of it up and place in a labeled freezer 'zip lock' bag. This is
one of the cheeses that freeze fairly well in airtight containers for use in
cooking. As you note, a little can go a long way with this cheese.
Consider dressing up a premade pizza (or make your own) into a 4 cheese
pizza by sprinkling some of this on it before baking. (Mix with Mozz,
Pepper Jack, and we like a little feta or medium chedder or both for a 5
cheese pizza).

A little of this shredded cheese goes very well sprinkled along the inside
of a simple grilled cheese samwich made mostly with sliced chedder (We like
the Kraft Delux or the deli chedders for this).

If you bake bread, this makes a fine addition in small amounts. Frozen
again is fine but thaw first to room temp. 1/4-1/3 cup shredded will work
with most 3.5 cup flour recipes in a breadmaker. Add suitable spices as
well. Black pepper, dried chives, Caraway work nicely.

Add to premade spagetti sauces and let melt as it cooks up. This can be
shredded but we like to use chunks here and have them still slightly
unmelted so you get little bits of glory as you eat.