Tag Archives: curbside

Gardein Ultimate Chick’n Filets Review

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Gardein Ultimate Chick’n Filets Review

Hello! I have been a strict vegetarian for longer than I can remember and my, how times have changed. Way back when, I feel like there was only MorningStar and Boca for “fake meat” options. Now, the selection is seemingly endless and I am always excited to try what’s new in the meatless market. I am especially partial to the brand Gardein and so is Johnny! Despite being anything but a vegetarian, he loves when I make a meatless dinner and that is a beautiful thing. During my last curbside order, the Gardein Ultimate Chick’n Filets caught my eye and Johnny and I couldn’t wait for a taste test. Let’s discuss:

When Johnny and I first made fake chicken sandwiches with the Gardein filets, we made them in the air fryer and it was just okay. They definitely weren’t as crisp as we would have liked and that left us less than impressed as the taste was kind of bland and it was a much thicker patty than our usual offering from MorningStar. HOWEVER, I had the last filet in the bag for a chicken sandwich last night and I made it in the oven because our air fryer basket needed washed. We should have made them in the oven from the jump because the difference was night and day.

Our oven cooks really fast so I had to modify the amount of time the filet cooked. Mine was in the oven for eighteen minutes with a flip halfway through and it was perfect. I made my sandwich with a Hawaiian roll hamburger bun, mozzarella cheese, and chipotle sauce. The end result was, easily, one of the best meatless sandwiches I have ever had. The filet was nice and crisp and the sauce and cheese combo was spot on. It was delicious, filling, and was the closest thing I have had to a “real” chicken sandwich since I stopped eating meat. My only qualm with this option by Gardein is the flavor because these filets absolutely need some dressing up and are pretty bland sans sauce. They do have a “spicy” option for the Ultimate Filets and I can’t wait to try them – I think they will be even better!

If you are a vegetarian or simply trying to add more meatless options to your diet, the Gardein Ultimate Chick’n Filets are a fantastic place to start. Just be sure to make them in the oven!

What is your favorite meatless brand? Where do you like to grocery shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Daring Plant Based Buffalo Wings Review

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Daring Plant Based Buffalo Wings Review

Hello! I have been an extremely strict vegetarian for as long as I can remember. Way back in the day, I feel like the only brands around for meatless options was MorningStar or Boca. Now, there are endless different possibilities and it’s freaking awesome lol – minus the fact that the meatless products can be kind of expensive. My favorite “newer” brand has got to be Gardein because Johnny and I absolutely love their fake fish fillets for sandwiches and wraps. I have been interested in trying more of their meatless options but I never feel like paying ten dollars for it! During my last shopping order from Walmart, I did try a new to me brand called Daring. The price was right for five bucks a bag of buffalo “chicken” wings and I was really looking forward to giving it a taste test. I made them this weekend and they were a huge hit! Check it out:

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One of mine and Johnny’s favorite easy peasy meals are wraps. I make them with cilantro lime rice, southwest salad, and a meatless product like fish or chicken. They are so simple but so good! Over the weekend, I thought I would make us some wraps with the Daring buffalo wings after a super busy Saturday afternoon. As soon as I opened the bag and put the wings into a frying pan, I had to call Johnny over into the kitchen. To this long term vegetarian, they really did look like actual wings and Johnny agreed. This was pleasing to me because I am so used to the MorningStar buffalo patties that are just kind of flat lol.

After fifteen or so minutes of cooking the wings, I was ready to assemble my wrap and dig in. I was surprised by the fact that I needed to cut these wings into pieces with a knife because they were too hefty to do with just a fork. Again, that never happened with Morningstar! After my first bite with the Daring wings, I wasn’t sure what to think. The flavor was great – nice and spicy. The texture was what threw me off because it was thicker and chewier than the patties I have ate for well over a decade and a half. Then, Johnny tried a piece and told me that it tasted similar in texture to actual chicken. Because I don’t remember what actual chicken tastes like, I thought that was pretty cool. And, once I got over the initial shock to the system, I ended up enjoying every bite. In fact, I had a wrap for almost every meal that weekend!

If you are interested in expanding your vegetarian meatless options, I cannot recommend the Daring brand enough. The prices are the best I have seen for any comparable brand and they taste great too. Don’t take my word for it? Take the word of the happily carnivorous Johnny, instead!

What is your favorite vegetarian dish? Which brand makes the best meatless food? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah