Spotlight: Gardein

Thanks to Gardein vegans have a HUGE selections of yummy foods packed with veggies and protein! What vegan doesn’t love having an awesome veggie burger or flavorful Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n? I thought it would be fun to hear about how Gardein started, what makes their products unique and what flavors are coming up next. Here is veganconsultant.com‘s interview with Gardein:

1. How did Gardein develop? Who are the brains behind the operation?

Gardein is made by Garden Protein International, a healthy food manufacturer that is headquartered in Vancouver, Canada. The company and brand were founded by Yves Potvin, a chef and innovator behind the veggie dog—the firstconvenient health food. Gardein’s frozen line of foods launched in the United States in the fall of 2009 and was immediately endorsed by Oprah Winfrey on her “Best Of” show that first aired Oct. 22, 2009. Since then the brand has received numerous awards, celebrity endorsements, international press recognition and thousands of positive consumer blog posts. Today the company has more than 125 employees who are passionate about providing people with great-tasting, healthy and convenient food. For more information, please visit Gardein.com

2. What are some unique qualities Gardein products have over the rest?

Gardein is the brand name for an award-winning range of tasty, nutritious convenient everyday foods which all contain “Garden Grown Protein.” Garden Grown Protein is a secret recipe of slow-cooked natural and unprocessed vegetables, soy and ancient grains that give it a meat-like texture.

Healthy- Gardein offers all the health benefits of eating less animal-based protein without sacrificing the meaty texture and taste that many people crave. Gardein is high in protein, low in fat and free of cholesterol, trans fats as well as animal and dairy ingredients. Made from a blend of vegetables, organic grains and soy, wheat and pea proteins, Gardein is a complete protein source in that it contains all the essential amino acids. The majority of foods from Gardein provide a good source of fiber too.

Convenient and Easy– Home cooks and chefs use Gardein as an ingredient and cook with it like traditional meat. Gardein can easily be substituted for chicken or beef in recipes. Gardein can be barbequed, prepared on the stovetop or cooked in the oven or microwave. Gardein’s packaging gives the best cooking instructions for each style. Several varieties of Gardein are available with savory sauces and come in ready-made meals for even greater convenience.

Widely Available in Fresh and Frozen Varieties– Gardein offers a complete line of meatless fresh and frozen foods available today across North America at grocery stores and natural food stores. Gardein is also ‘on the menu’ at restaurants and corporate and university cafeterias.

3. What is your favorite vegan recipe using a Gardein product?

Foods from Gardein are ideal for Meatless Mondays or eating meatless any day of the week! Every Monday new quick and easy meatless recipes like Beefless Soft Tacos, BBQ Chick’n Pizza and Mandarin Orange Chick’n Stir Fry are featured on www.gardein.com, and people may sign up to receive recipes via email too. Celebrity chef Tal Ronnenalso has developed wonderful vegan recipes in his New York Times best-selling cookbook, The Conscious Cook. Several recipes in his cookbook use Gardein as a protein source. For Gardein recipes, click here

4. What flavors are coming up next?

Garden Protein is always innovating and committed to bringing good food to the market under the Gardein brand. This March, the company launched the new Gardein Ultimate Beefless Burger, and last fall introduced three new flavors in its frozen line: Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n, Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers and Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Wings. A complete line of Gardein foods sold at grocery and natural food stores in the USA is below. For more information, click here

Gardein’s fresh line:

•        Chick’n Filets / 4 per pack

•        Tuscan Breasts / 2 per pack

•        BBQ Pulled Shreds / 9 ounce package

•        BBQ Skewers / 4 per pack

•        Santa Fe Good Stuff / 2 per pack

•        Herb Dijon Breasts / 2 per pack

Gardein’s frozen line:

•        Chick’n Scallopini / 4 lightly seasoned scallopini per pack

•        Beefless Tips / 9 oz pack

•        Buffalo Wings / 12 (approx.) classic style wings per pack

•        Seven Grain Crispy Tenders / 10 (approx.) per pack

•        Chipotle Lime Crispy Fingers / 9.5 oz pack

•        Mandarin Orange Crispy Chick’n / 10.5 oz pack

•        Sweet and Tangy Barbecue Wings / 9 oz pack

•        Ultimate Beefless Burger / 12 oz pack, four patties

Gardein’s single-serve meatless meals with veggies, protein and rice:

•        Burgundy Trio/ 1 full entrée

•        Thai Trio/  1 full entrée

•        Sicilian Trio/  1 full entrée

5. Where can we find Gardein products?

Today, Gardein is sold throughout the United States and Canada in the produce cooler and frozen food aisle at more than 12,000 natural food stores and grocery stores, as well as to food service organizations, universities and corporate cafeterias. Select foods from Gardein also may be purchased online via specialty grocery or vegan food sites. You may find Gardein on the menu at Yard House and select Chipotle Mexican Grills too! Click here to locate Gardein in your neighborhood.

Find Gardein online!

Website

Twitter

Facebook