Sunday, June 10, 2012

galaxy vegan shreds review and giveaway contest

Galaxy Vegan Shreds, meltalicious! Shown here atop a grilled portobello mushroom. 

The nice folks at Galaxy Foods sent me samples of their vegan shreds to review – mozzarella and cheddar flavors. I'll cut to the chase and address the obvious question for plant-based cheese aficionados: which is better, Daiya or Galaxy? Short answer  – they both have their good and bad points.

Galaxy Shreds atop a portobello burger: Superior meltabilty
[Yes, that's a word. I just invented it.]
Over the years, Galaxy products have developed a reputation for their distinctive ability to melt like silk into sauces. [Case in point, my shirataki noodles with creamy mushroom sauce and creamy bolognese sauce recipes.] That said, Vegan Shreds are your go-to product if you're making macaroni and cheese or alfredo sauce, for example. They gracefully and tastily co-mingle with other ingredients. If you used Daiya for these types of foods and sauces, you would get "clumpage." Daiya cheese is better suited to dishes that require a thicker texture like grilled cheese sandwiches and pizzas.

Nutrition-wise, Galaxy Shreds win hands-down. Each 1/4 cup of Vegan Shreds contains 25% of your RDA of calcium, so you're not just scarfing down empty calories as you are with Daiya cheeses.

Taste-wise, I like Daiya slightly better; it tastes rich and creamy even right from the package, whereas the texture of unmelted Galaxy is a bit chalky [But melt Galaxy, and the texture is crazy-sexy-creamy]. I will be using both cheeses regularly for different dishes, much like you use different non-dairy cheeses in different dishes.

I'm thrilled that so many new, meltable non-dairy cheeses are now available; a variety now exists for just about every culinary application, and Galaxy Shreds are a tasty addition to the plant-based cheese armamentarim.

Contest!
It's grilling time – try Vegan Shreds atop your veggie burgers and grilled portobellos. To inspire your summer picnics, we are giving away a coupon for a free package of Vegan Shreds to one lucky reader. All you need to do is leave a comment and say how you plan on using the shreds. I'll announce the winner in a few days.


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43 comments:

Sandra Kohlmann said...

I just wrote a bit of a review of Galaxy's shreds, which is posting to my blog tomorrow! I debated the Galaxy/Daiya comparison and avoided it. Now I'm glad, because you did a lovely job (much better than I could have). Anyhoo, I also enjoyed the creamy nature of the Galaxy shreds. They made a great quesadilla. However, if I had more, I would try them in my fondue recipe. Daiya worked okay, but I'm guessing Galaxy shreds would be amazing!

mooxinator said...

I would put it on and in well... everything. I would have to do the old 'throw a dart at a list' method to decide what to make first. I am totally cool with that.

Dar Al-Morazz said...

I will use it for a massive Vegan nachos, with lots of veggies, homemade salsa, and vegan chili.

Wendi said...

I'd use the Galaxy shreds over a simple summer pasta dish. Or maybe sprinkle it over a nacho dip. There are so many possibilities!

Lizzie Bordello said...

I was just talking about how I haven't had a cheezeburger in ages - this would be perfect to satisfy my craving! I haven't tried them yet, but I need to!

Katie said...

Oh, yum... just look at that melt. I would love to create a creamy alfredo sauce with these!

Unknown said...

Mmmm I'd totally make pizza or portabello panini's!

Tracy said...

I would make portabella mushroom burgers just like your picture. Yum!

Jenni (aka Vegyogini) said...

I'd probably make quesadillas!

Thank you for the giveaway. :)

Terri Cole said...

I would make mac-n-cheese and/or pizza!

gaia (at) cinci (dot) rr (dot) com

Darbi said...

I will make taco lettuce wraps!

radioactivegan said...

I'd love to try the galaxy shreds. I'd probably start right where you did - atop a mushroom burger! It looks great :)

Anonymous said...

Thanks for the helpful, honest review! i'm always down for some good vegan cheese!

Christine said...

I'd try out a classic grilled 'cheese' sandwich. Thanks for doing this!

Out in Them Sticks said...

i plan on using it for pizza!

Patti Hedrick said...

It looks so amazing. I would so make a cheese sauce for my veggies !!!

Dominique said...

I would love to have some Galaxy shreds for quesadillas!

veggie365 said...

I'd use it to help my vegetarian hubby to go vegan! As grilled cheese to start, then on to pizza, quesadillas and veggie burgers next

MonsterAteMy said...

I *really* don't like Daiya at all, so I've mostly been learning to appreciate the joys of completely cheese-less pizzas and the like. Having said that, it would still be nice to have a product that tastes good for those times when you really need a cheesy fix, so I'd probably try it on pizza and a veggie burger.

Erin Mullaney said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Erin Mullaney said...

There's an avocado grilled cheese recipe on my pinterest board that I've been dying to try. I would love to use these new Galaxy shreds for that purpose! I'm always looking for new things to try and move more towards veganism (right now I'm just vegetarian but I avoid dairy as much as possible!) This could help me! -Erin Mullaney (this comes up as Unknown, and I don't know how to change that!)

Lee Ann said...

Mac & Cheese.

Heather B said...

MMmmm. Either cheesy tacos or quesadillas, for sure!

Paula said...

Thanks for the comparison. I'd love to try the Galaxy cheese shreds on a homemade veggie burger.

Jenna Z said...

Pizza pizza pizza!!!

Lisa from western Mass said...

I haven't tried vegan "cheese" in a dozen years ... had given up entirely. I'd be delighted to try a new type with such a good review! I'd try it on a grilled portobella, for sure, and nachos ... guess I've gotten used to being cheeseless, but I'm always up for new recipes and taste sensations!

Sara said...

Thanks for the useful review! I haven't tried Galaxy's products yet but after seeing your pics, I definitely will! I'm thinking cheezy black bean enchiladas with green chile sauce!

T.M. said...

I've not seen these yet but always like your reviews. I think I would try them in some baked mac 'n cheese or mushroom/lentil burgers. Thanks for the chance.

moonsword said...

Pizza...I have a craving for artichoke heart pizza. :)

Anonymous said...

I have never tried the galaxy shreds before--I would love to taste them! I think I would use them for anything and everything...I would totally make nachos and melt them on a bean and cheese burrito and mac and cheese...the possibilities are endless!

Courtney

Bobbie {the vegan crew} said...

I've never tried the Galaxy shreds before. Thanks for the great review and compare/contract with Daiya. That burger looks pretty tasty, so I think the first thing I'd do is top a nice, grilled veggie burger with it. Yum!

Sweet Sara said...

Nachos! Or melted over steamed veggies.

Unknown said...

I'd use the shreds on pizza.

Just Us said...

I'd add them to the top of a Mexican casserole dish that I've been dying to make.

Hannah said...

oh-mi-goodness, nachos for sure. I get mad cravings for a good nacho cheese sauce, and this sounds excellent either sprinkled on top or thrown in a sauce.

princesstofu said...

quesadilla! for me and my little guy roman. with lots of avocado and refried beans. can't wait to try these.

Unknown said...

I would love to try the cheese sprinkled on top of a vegan breaded scallopine served with homemade pasta sauce and roasted vegetables, and garlic cheese baguette!

Sarah said...

I would make taco pizza. Its a cornmeal crust pizza topped with salsa and cheddar cheese, baked in the oven, then once out, top with shredded lettuce, onions, and anything else you fancy on a taco.

Kate said...

The Mozzarella would be amazing on a baked eggplant burger or melted on top of spaghetti squash!!

Meme said...

I am always looking for a good vegan cheese so I would try it many different ways; grilled cheese, cheese"burger" or even nachos.

Madeleine Lesperance said...

I am going to use it on my new "vegan nacho burger"!!! I am so excited!

Herbytheloveblog said...

How neat!! We never knew there was a comparable alternative to Daiya!! Thanks for sharing! We'll have to ask our local grocer to see if they can get some!

Ana said...

My son cannot have dairy, so this will be more than welcome to make him some goodies!!
Ana