I have discovered Gardein. And it is good!

[flvegan]

So I'm at Publix the other day, not exactly the shining example of progressive vegan eats but they're getting there. I discover this new line of products in the freezer case (next to the Boca, Gardenburger, etc). Looks good, but surely it'll have eggs or milk in it. Nope, big ole "certified vegan" stamp. Did I mention how good the stuff looked on the package? I picked up the buffalo wings and the chicken marinara to try out of the 5 or so products there. Figured that I'd give them a try, being new vegan products and around $4 each.

Honestly, I didn't have high hopes. But what better to have on football Sunday than buffalo wings and a beer, right? So I cooked up the wings. It says that the pouch is two servings, but was a perfect (if maybe a tiny bit too much) single serving for me.

Very tasty to say the least. I think next time, I'll cook them for a minute longer, but the consistency and the taste are excellent. The sauce they're coated with is robust and spicy, bordering on hot. This is not just a product I'd buy again, but a product I'll buy again and again. Very pleased.

Run, don't walk: http://www.gardein.com/index.php

[LeftyMom]

1. I got the stuffed cutlets a while back and wasn't hugely impressed.

The cutlets were a little small (again, the box said there were two servings to the package, it was more like one slightly oversized serving, IMO) and I found the "chicken" to be a bit too dense. But I might just be spoiled for faux chicken by the fact that I make my own. I'll try the wings if I see them someplace.

BTW, "It's All Good" and some of the Trader Joe's faux meat stuff are also Gardien products.

[calico1]

2. I think they have just started carrying the stuff in my

Stop and Shop. But I have only seen some of the refrigerated products where they keep the tofu and stuff like that. I haven't seen any frozen stuff but I have only seen this stuff in the past 2 weeks or so. I will keep my eye out to see what else they bring, if anything. Thanks for the heads up.

[Chan790]

3. I had their "It's All Good!" BBQ shredded chicken...

It was a little too much for one sandwich and not quite enough for two...I think I might be able to get three sandwiches from two packs. I do highly recommend it in case I'm not in fact the only vegetarian though who misses BBQ. Juicy, tangy, I ended up doctoring it with a better sauce than they used but that's because they used something similar to the generic reddish-brown ketchupy stuff people think of then they think BBQ sauce...like Kraft or Open Pit.

Likewise, I'll be buying this product again. I don't remember if the label said vegan or not. I think so, but check for yourself if you see this product to confirm.

[RebelOne]

4. I tried the Tuscan Breasts.

They are sold in my local Kroger here in North Georgia. I was not terribly impressed. They were sort of tasteless and dry.

[flvegan]

5. UPDATE: I tried the marinara chicken for lunch today.

The coating was very good, the chicken part was good but didn't really "taste" like anything chicken-y. The stuffing is a blessed mix of tomato and cheeze (daiya, to be specific) which was excellent. As for anything vegan with melty cheeze tendencies, this was by far the best cheeze I've ever eaten.

This product comes two servings to a package, and having just the one was a good sized meal for me.