For the first time in my life, I actually bought real Parmesan cheese and grated it over my pasta. None of that stuff in the shaker, none of that pre-grated stuff from the deli.

Is that ever excellent. I'm officially a convert. Never again will I buy anything less.

Small chunks of it aren't even that expensive, and I can grate them with my microplane grater.

I feel rather silly for this, it's very simple. But for whatever reason, I never tried this. I hate to waste things, if I had some of another type of cheese I wouldn't throw it away even though it smelled terrible and had a waxy texture.

Just another example of a little properly spent money going a long way.

*smacks hand to forehead*

AND I'm Italian, too!