Product Review: Freida’s Garlic Delight
Recently I was sent another great product to review. I was contacted by Hazel over at Freida’s Inc. about a new, fresh garlic product that is now on the market. Hazel told me that the product is made using all natural ingredients and no preservatives: fresh USA-grown garlic, canola oil, lemon juice and salt — that’s it. It sounded too good to be true, a dream come true product review. Something that sounded great and totally fell into pace with my Mediterranean eating habits. So of course I agreed to sample it.
The package from Frieda’s arrived overnight in a cooler with ice. I recieved the original Freida’s Garlic Delight as well as the chipotle flavor – imagine my delight. Immediately I checked out the ingredients and it was just as Hazel had said – all natural and no preservatives! Each tub is 7 oz. and so my head was just swimming with ideas of what to do with these tubs of garlicky goodness.
This package could not have come at a better time. It arrived the same week that Roberto’s mom arrived here from Rome. So I thought it would be great to get everyone’s opinion of the product. The first thing we did with the original flavor was to make garlic bread – what better, simple way to showcase the flavor of this product? Good garlic bread’s merit is based on the subtle, yet earthy flavor of garlic. When I opened the tub, I was immediately hit with a lovely, sweet and nutty garlic aroma – similar to the smell of roasted garlic. As I dipped my spreader into the container the spread was light and fluffy. All good signs.
Some of us got adventurous and decided to put a piece of prized Iberian Acorn Ham, a lovely gift from Nuria, on top.
I must say I am very pleased with this product. The garlic bread was so good that we decided to try the spread with several other recipes: we put it in hummus, in a dipping sauce for sweet potato fries, as well as the Koftas and Buffalo Wings we made for Movie Night. Everything turned out great.
With the Chipotle flavor we used it as a sauce for a spicy shrimp pasta that we served when my mom was here this weekend to celebrate Mother’s Day. We included her in Movie Night and enjoyed this delicious pasta dish, while watching Into The Wild, a movie that stays with you long after the watching. Similar to garlic, that stays with you long after the tasting.
The chipotle garlic spread was a perfect smoky heat with a great garlic punch. I think it would be delicious as a sauce for fish tacos, in cole slaw, or slathered on hot, fresh corn on the cob!
Each tub comes with a recipe and there are two other great flavors, Sun Dried Tomato and Green Olive, both of which sound wonderful! You can also get other recipe ideas on the Frieda’s Inc. website. I honestly thought when I received this product that it was a great idea, but that I would never really use it myself – I have fresh garlic cloves that I use in nearly everything I cook and I don’t get products that overlap. But after sampling this, I changed my mind. The texture and taste is so good, and it is just so convenient, that I told Roberto I might need to be buying this soon.
If you would like to learn more about the various products that Freida’s Inc. offers, including organic, tropical and latin produce, as well as gift ideas and gourmet foods, please check out their webpage. If you would like to know where you can purchase Frieda’s Inc. products near you, please click here or check the produce section at your grocery store or market.
courtney - May 14, 2008 at 12:12 pm
Sounds intersting. I would share your earlier opinion but it does seem convienent. Will be on the lookout for it.
Cynthia - May 14, 2008 at 2:10 pm
It’s always pleasing to discover new products that actually deliver.
Paula - May 14, 2008 at 4:11 pm
never tried this product but the shrimp look great!
FatB - May 14, 2008 at 4:11 pm
But what is it? A spread? A sauce? A ‘delight’ isn’t a category.
I don’t like anything that can’t be quantified by it’s primary use. Confusing.
Peter G - May 14, 2008 at 7:19 pm
This is quite a versatile product Jenn. And its good to see you went for an all natural, preservative free product. I especially like it tossed through the pasta.
Ben - May 14, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Hmmm chipotle flavor. This sounds like something I would love to try. That pasta and shrimp looks delicious. I am hungry now :-p
Heather - May 14, 2008 at 11:46 pm
That last photo looks pornographic. Or at least very romantic. I’ve been approached to review products and websites, but I never go for it. Is it worth it?
Bellini Valli - May 15, 2008 at 12:56 am
This sounds like something that would be welcome in our household. Love what you did with the products Jenn and that you had company to be your taste testers:D
MyKitchenInHalfCups - May 15, 2008 at 2:31 am
Wow Jenn that really looks glorious! Sounds super good in the hummus, well it sounds good in everything you tried.
jen of a2eatwrite - May 15, 2008 at 9:06 am
Jenn, I’m so glad you’re doing these reviews because I can trust that your ethics and food interests jibe with mine in terms of both nutrition and the planet. Thanks! This looks great.
The Leftover Queen - May 15, 2008 at 9:35 am
Hi Courtney! I know, I was really pleasantly surprised!
Totally, Cynthia – these kinds of products you can trust are becoming few and far between.
The shrimp were awesome, Paula.
Hey FatB – the beauty of this product is that it is ALL of those things that you mentioned and has a variety of other applications which I outlined many in the review. Think of it as a garlic paste and it is a delight! 😉
Hi Peter G! Well, I don’t review any products that don’t qualify under my guidelines of being all natural, no preservatives, no artificial sweeteners and no cheap oils. So there are very few products that I actually will review – which makes things like this such a treat. It is great in pasta!
I aim to please, Ben! 🙂
The chipotle was really good, especially in a pasta like this. it was so simple to prepare as well!
Hey Heather! It depends quite a lot. Like I said in my comment to Peter G, although I get approached by a lot of companies to do product reviews and the like, there are very few that I , personally am willing to sign off on or condone. So I would say, if it looks like something you would use, try it and let us know if it is any good!
We are always striving for food porn over here! 😉
Hi Valli! Yes, this product is very good in Mediterranean cooking. I figured that 4 opinions were better than 2! 🙂
Thanks, Tanna! It really did add a nice note to the hummus – kind of nutty and sweet. The plain one is very reminiscent of roasted garlic in flavor.
Thanks so much Jen! That really means a lot, and that is why I am so picky about what products I review, because I know that you guys know that I stand for certain morals and ethics when it comes to food and I would be a hypocrite if I reviewed products that were not in line with this.
Judy - May 15, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Yum…that sounds really good. Was there any “processed” taste to it or did it taste natural? I find even the pre-peeled garlic that you can buy doesn’t taste right. I am definitely going to look for this and give it a try!
Ivy - May 15, 2008 at 4:26 pm
I can imagine it in the hummous, extra garlicky and nice use of the Iberian ham.
We Are Never Full - May 15, 2008 at 5:31 pm
ok… ok, ok. i’m trying to contain myself. NURIA SENT YOU IBERICO!? Wha-wha-what!?!?!?!? how did she do it? was it from la tienda? if so, i’m dying to know what you think. i just got the catalog and 4 oz. of iberico is like $30… I’m this close to ordering some, but if it ain’t the real deal, i’m not doing it. what a lovely gift!
Kevin - May 15, 2008 at 8:09 pm
Shrimp pasta with chipotle garlic sounds really good!
The Leftover Queen - May 16, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Hi Judy! No none at all actually, and I agree with the pre-peeled garlic thing too. Honestly, I really would place the flavor akin to roasted mashed garlic.
Thanks Ivy! That ham is fabulous isn’t it? I am generally not a fan of ham (even though I like pork in all its other manifestations), but this was good stuff!
Hi We Are Never Full! Yes she DID send me the ham, it was a wedding gift for Roberto and I. She sent it straight from Barcelona. It is really tasty stuff. Like I said to Ivy, I am not usually a fan of ham (besides really good prosciutto) but this stuff was great – like butter, baby!
Not only was it really good, Kevin, but it was EASY!
núria - May 18, 2008 at 5:41 am
I’m late, I’m late!!! Sorry couldn’t make it before… and you still have some ham here :D!!! Thanks for the mention sweetie♥
Frieda’s Chipotle garlic spread sounds so good!!! And so practical! I’ll take a look at her web and see her products 😀
Your spaguetti with shrimps and the touch of the garlic on it sounds so inspiring… MMmmmm