The best fake chicken I've ever eaten - Gardein Chick'n Scallopini

I was first introduced to the deliciousness of Gardein fake meat products when I was in LA in 2008.  My friend decided to take me to Veggie Grill (best fast food type vegetarian restaurant in the nation - hands down) in El Segundo, where I had the best fake chicken sandwich.  Ever.  (or at least what I thought was the best chicken sandwich ever - I was in LA a couple weeks ago and tried a fried chick'n sandwich...amazing!)

Ever since that glorious evening, I've been not so patiently waiting for Gardein products to be sold in a store near me.  (Whole Foods, I love you...but you're so slow to get new products!)  During my weekly trek to Whole Foods (in a snow storm, no less) I was SO excited to see Gardein Chick'n Scallopini in the frozen section.

 

And what did I discover once I bit into one of these lightly seasoned, still ok if you microwave them and not bake them beauties?  They're the same kind of chick'n patties my beloved Veggie Grill uses!  Or at least incredibly similar.  And freakishly good.  This is now my absolute favorite frozen fake meat product.  With only 90 calories per decent sized cutlet with only 2 grams of fat, I could probably eat these daily.  Heck, after eating one, I could have eaten the other three cutlets that come in the bag because it was THAT good.  

It's so exciting to see various varieties of meat alternatives pop up...it's a far cry from my childhood when the options were so limited.

 

If it looks like a duck - Daiya cheese

In my west coast travels, I've gotten to enjoy some of the most spectacular vegan and vegetarian grub.  Too bad I love Cleveland so much...I might be tempted to become a west coaster.

As soon as I ventured into LA for work, my first stop was Veggie Grill.  THE most amazing fast food type vegetarian restaurant.  Zomg.  I dream about their food and hope that in my lifetime, there will be a Veggie Grill franchise somewhere in Ohio. 

The fake fried chicken sandwich that I had was incredible, but what was really amazing were the nachos.  Vegan nachos, to be exact.  Made with Daiya vegan cheese.

Most people have heard of vegan cheese.  It comes in many different varieties.  Many of which don't look, smell, taste, or melt like regular cheese and are a real downer to vegans who loved cheese before giving up dairy products.  But Daiya cheese is different.  It melts.  It tastes good.  And is surprisingly similar to real cheese. 

I've been contemplating placing an internet order for some Daiya cheese since it isn't sold anywhere near where I live, but now that I've gotten to taste it, I'm totally sold on the product.  It comes in cheddar and mozzarella-like varieties.  As a former cheese lover, I am so excited to find a non-dairy alternative that is so imilar to the real thing.  Look-out friends, you'll get to taste some of this delectable cheesy goodness on a plate near you, soon, because I plan on really experiementing with it.