Cottage Cheese

I know.  Kind of a gross title.  But, today, I am baffled by cottage cheese.

The last couple of days Matthew has been SO picky about eating, crying at almost every meal.

One: He wants to be a big boy and feed himself.  We let him try, but barely any food makes it to his mouth.  Our solution has been to let him hold a bowl and spoon and think he's feeding himself while we ensure that he does get enough into his mouth to receive proper nourishment.

Two: Seems like if we dip anything in cottage cheese, he will eat it.  Turkey dogs, chicken nuggets, grilled cheese, etc.  I'm completely baffled.

Is it teething?  His one-year molars are almost all the way through, and there are two teeth coming in on the bottom as well as more swollen gums.  I'm wondering if because the cottage cheese is cold it makes everything else tolerable.

Anyone have any creative ideas that they can offer to make meal time a bit more pleasant around here, and possibly not always involve cottage cheese?