THIS REVIEW/GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
Here at Can I get the Recipe? we post a new review and giveaway every Wednesday and anyone who is a Can I get the Recipe? subscriber has a chance to enter and win.
The winner of last week's review and giveaway: Cena! Cena has won the cookbook All Cakes Considered by Melissa Gray. Congratulations Cena!
This Week's Review and Giveaway: Gardein Garden Protein Products
(Review by Heidi Degenstein, CIGTR? Product Tester)
I like to eat plant based foods. It makes me feel good .... physically and ethically. I love veggies, fruit, beans, nuts & seeds. I would make a great vegetarian. I say "would" because I'm not ready to give up meat. There's something about the texture of a juicy steak or the smell of a hamburger on the BBQ that I simply enjoy.
When I DO opt for something veggie I find I'm always trying to hide it. Whether it's a colourless veggie dog for the kids that I quickly cover with ketchup and hide in a bun or some tofurella that I bury in their grilled cheese sandwich, I'm tired of being a magician and trying to make it disappear.
Well look out Houdini, Gardein has come up with a range of plant based foods that are meant to be served "center of the plate". Gardein, derived from "garden" and "protein", is high in protein, free of cholesterol and low in fat. The products are said to be meaty in texture and a tasty alternative to beef and chicken.Wow, I had to check this out.
There is a range of interesting entrees to choose from, for example, Tuscan Breasts, BBQ Pulled Shreds, Chick'n Filets, Chick'n Strips, Buffalo Wings, Beefless Tips, and Chick'n Scallopini, to name a few.
I picked up some BBQ Skewers, Dijon Breasts and Crispy Tenders.
Without mentioning the ingredients to my husband and kids we tucked in. The kids polished off several crispy tenders (which look exactly like breaded chicken fingers) and announced that they were the best chicken fingers they'd ever had. Well blow me away. I reminded them that Disney Toy Story chicken fingers had always been their favorite in the past. Well, "nope these are better!". Seriously? 
We next moved on to the BBQ Skewers. They came marinated in a lovely dark sauce. I grilled them for 1 to 2 mins. per side on the BBQ (as suggested on the package). They really looked like tender cubes of skewered beef. My son loved them. My husband, who was brought up on Alberta beef, was impressed with the sauce, but would prefer beef - not pretend beef. Last, we tried the dijon breasts. Again, a lovely sauce and indeed, meaty texture that the kids and I really enjoyed. My husband, well, he missed the texture of real chicken.
My conclusion is that we can all benefit from eating less meat and including more plant based alternatives in our diet. Now you can do it with visually appealing and flavourful entrees featured prominently on the plate. No more abracadabra!Look for gardein in the fresh (produce) section and frozen aisle of your grocery store and visit their website for fabulous recipes...
Want to Buy It?
Gardein Fresh and Frozen Garden Protein Products are available at a variety of grocery stores. Take a look here to find a store nearest to you.
Want to Win It?
One lucky Can I get the Recipe? subscriber will win a selection of products from Gardein. Giveaway open to residents of USA and CANADA.
MANDATORY 1st entry: (Please read this carefully or your entry may be deleted if the following is not completed.) DO THIS! Visit Gardein Garden Protein Products here and tell us which Gardein recipe listed that you would love to try by filling out an entry form. Remember, you must be a subscriber to enter this giveaway or your entry will be deleted.
Additional Entries:
Want a better chance at winning? Fill out an entry form or entry forms below for each additional entry:
- 1 entry - Give Can I get the Recipe? a "Like"or add us to your favourites on Facebook
- 1 entry - Become a follower of Can I get the Recipe? on Twitter
- 1 entry - Give Gardein a "Like" or add them to your favourites on Facebook
- 1 entry - Become a follower of Gardein on Twitter
- 1 entry per day - Tweet about this giveaway: Win a selection of Gardein products @canigetrecipes
- 1 entry per day - Vote for Can I get the Recipe? on Top Mommy Blogs
- 3 entries - Grab The Can I get the Recipe? button, display it on your blog and add our URL link
- 5 entries - Blog about this giveaway and include Can I get the Recipe? URL link
Giveaway Rules:
You must be a subscriber of Can I get the Recipe? in order to win. (Use "Subscribe" box at top left corner of this site to subscribe and make sure to verify your subscription).
Contest will close at 8:00pm PST on June 2, 2010. Any entries after this time will not be considerered.
Name of winner to be chosen at random using http://www.random.org/ at the end of the giveaway date and contacted by email. The winner then has 48 hours to respond in order to claim their prize. The winner's name will be posted on the next giveaway.
Contest open to Canadian and USA residents only who HAVE NOT won a Can I get the Recipe? giveaway in the past three months.
Gardein provided a selection of Gardein Garden Protein Products for this review and giveaway. No money was paid to myself or other contributers of Can I get the Recipe? to host this review and giveaway. Please read the disclaimer posted here for more information.
