Cream cheese
An American favorite, cream cheese is white, easy to spread, and mildly tangy. It goes especially well with bagels and nut breads. (called white cheese in Europe)
Season
available year-round
How to select
Cream cheese comes in low-fat and non-fat versions.
How to store
Use cream cheese within a few days after purchasing, and throw it out if mold appears. For best results, serve chilled.
Substitutions
2 cups of cream cheese = 1 lb; Neufchatel (lower in fat and moister than regular cream cheese) OR equal parts ricotta and yogurt OR tofu