Ed, you're absolutely right in terms of flavour - butter and cheese are delicious, there's no two ways about it.

I adore cheese in all forms - in fact I'd far rather have a cheeseboard than pudding and will do so if eating out and it's an option. My avoidance of them isn't because I don't like them, or indeed for any ideological beliefs about animal husbandry, it's predominantly enlightened self-interest.

I have asthma that I've found is provoked by dairy. Also very high cholesterol - when last tested - that I've been told by my Doctor that I need to bring down. Plus I'm trying to keep my proportion of calories from fat under control while I lose weight (quite a lot of it). Otherwise both my soup and potato, might well be as you described.. :)