This week's Product Review is:

Gambardeli's Vegan Medallions and Steaks

I asked Margaret Gambardeli ( Proprietor of Gambardeli's) what inspired her to produce a meat free alternative.
"I have made this for the past 30 years for my family. I adapted the original, 2,000 year old recipe so that the steaks and medallions can be used in a variety of styles of cooking. We also have strips ready to add to stir fries and slices ideal for canapes and sandwiches.
I just decided to market it as there is an upsurge in interest in meat-free and I feel that most of the products are tasteless and we didn't like the textures. I also feel that some of them are not real foods.
This is a totally vegan company made in a vegan kitchen and I keep it in house to ensure that there is no contamination and to keep the quality high"

It's always nice to find a product made in a vegan kitchen as personally I find that the whole concept of vegan food can only be truly vegan this way. With this in mind I set to work on a meal.

So here we go, firstly the medallions.

I made a stir fry using mushrooms, garlic, onions, cashews, pineapple, peas and Erin's Thai Green Curry paste.
The medallions are quite large and the texture is soft, there is a mild savoury aroma to the product. First things first! Imperitive opening test is what I technically term as the 'Max Test', this is important with all my savoury testing, Does Max the Gourmet cat like it? Answer .. "No thank you Mum."

This week's Product Review is:

Gambardeli's Vegan Medallions and Steaks

Result: Looks great, the medallions certainly soak up the flavour and aroma of the Thai Curry Past. On the down side, a couple of our guest 'samplers' thought the texture was a litle spongy. Overall result - A great Product, great for stir fry's and other chunky style recipes where an 'up front' flavour is going to be added.
Next to be tested are the Gambardeli Steaks, I will be trying one plain and one 'peppered' recipe (please scroll down for this Product Test).
For more information about Gambardeli's, please click on the link. Gambardeli's
People that know me love my tasting parties and I find this the best way of getting a broad range of opinions and I served this during one of these events.

In Summary

Packaging - N/A packaging was not available

Ease of preparing - 9/10

Ease of Cooking - 9/10

Texture - 7/10

Versatility - 7/10

Tasting notes - Its own taste is mild but it accepts added flavours very well.

So now on to the Steaks!

The steaks are quite large and the texture is soft, there is a mild savoury aroma to the product. Over to our feline tech bod ... Maxi. So Does Max the Gourmet cat like it? Answer .. "Yes Mum, I need more!!!"

I added a little olive oil to the steaks in the frying pan and ground some fresh pepper on to one and left the other plain. I always love lots of fried onions with this sort of meal, so I added a generous helping of onions to the pan. Of course, where would steak be without chips? It had to be done and for colour and presentation, peas and fresh tomato were added to the final dish.

This week's Product Review is:

Gambardeli's Vegan Medallions and Steaks

Result: They certainly Look great, they hold their shape and the one with crushed pepper had absorbed the flavour beautifully. The steaks cut well and the texture is good, I think a little 'squeaky' when chewing but overall very good.
Again, a great Product, great with chips possibly a gammon replacement or a dinner with vegetables and gravy, I found them to be versatile.
Gambardeli's
People that know me love my tasting parties and I find this the best way of getting a broad range of opinions and again, I served this during one of these events.

In Summary

Packaging - Looks good and informative.

Ease of preparing - 9/10

Ease of Cooking - 9/10

Texture - 8/10

Versatility - 8/10

Tasting notes - As with the medallions, its own taste is mild but it accepts added flavours very well.