Wild Garden Taste of the Mediterranean

Finally there is a make-at-home meal company that not only tastes amazing but has great gluten-free choices!  Wild Garden has expanded its popular brand of hummus and snacks with the Taste of the Mediterranean line that features quick and authentic Marinades and Pilafs.  The new chef-driven line includes three all natural, 15-minute marinades, and three 90-second heat and serve Pilafs, blended with over 13 Eastern Mediterranean spices and oils to create incredibly flavorful dishes.

The Wild Garden marinades:

Here's a simple and delicious way to experience Mediterranean flavors in the comfort of your own home and in minutes with flavor-packed quick marinades.  Just pour the marinade on beef, poultry, lamb or seafood, chill, and minutes later, bake, grill, pan fry or roast.

Did I mention that all of their marinades are GLUTEN FREE!!!  Yasss baby!

We loved all three flavors but the Shawarma marinade over grilled beef was our favorite when we turned it into our own rendition of Beef and Broccoli which is covered farther down this post.

The three marinades in the Taste of the Mediterranean collection are:

• Shawarma: A blend of cardamom, cumin and herbs famously known throughout the Mediterranean.
• Persian: A blend of spices and herbs with notes of garlic, sumac and fennel.
• Turkish: A Turkish kebab recipe with an exotic blend of tomatoes, cumin and garlic.

The Wild Garden pilafs:

The heat and serve pilafs add robust flavors and spices and are ready in 90 seconds in a microwave. The Mediterranean pilafs include:

• Bulgur: hearty bulgur wheat cooked in tomato sauce and Mediterranean herbs.
• Couscous: pearled couscous and chickpeas in a zesty tomato sauce.
• Rice and Lentils: made with Basmati Rice, tender Lentils and caramelized onions.  This option is gluten free!

 

Reviewing the Taste of the Mediterranean:

If you're short on time and want my quick honest answer to if this tasting box is worth it.... hands down YES.

Let me dive in a little further for those who want the little deets.

When the large box full of Wild Garden's latest options showed up at my doorstep, I will be honest, I was a bit overwhelmed with the choices.  I am NOT familiar with these flavors or spices (but quickly have become obsessed after this experience).  So I had no idea how to pair these dishes together.  It did come with recipe cards for inspiration and easy instructions, but the options seemed endless.

Then I had to decide what protein I was going to use each marinade on.

I came to find out that there is no bad way to pair these dishes together.  Wild Garden has done a great job with the flavors in their recipes so that each flavor blends nicely with the next.

I created three recipes using these Wild Garden quick marinades and ingredients that were already in my kitchen and are fairly routine staples in many kitchens here in the states.

They are easy and require little prep time, they use a very short ingredient list, and they're flavors that many of you may never have experienced before just like me.

 

Turkish Chicken Kabobs:

This turkish-spiced grilled chicken kabob meal quickly marinates fresh chicken pieces before grilling them on an open flame.  Deliciously paired with couscous that is ready to serve in 90 seconds.

To make, soak kabob skewers in water and cut chicken into cubes and place in a large mixing bowl.  Coat chicken in the Turkish marinade and set aside for 15 minutes.  Remove the skewers from the water and place the chicken pieces carefully on the kabob skewers.  Grill chicken evenly on all sides until fully cooked.  While the chicken is on the grill, make the couscous by venting the package and cooking in the microwave for 90 seconds.  Serve the chicken and couscous with a parsley garnish and fresh tomato pieces.

Served with a side of Wild Garden Couscous which is for those at the table that can consume gluten.

Shawarma Beef and Broccoli:

This take on beef and broccoli is packed with a twist of mediterranean flavors.  Fresh steamed broccoli accompanies the quick grilled steak pieces and is paired with a side of bulgur in replace of traditional rice.

To make, cut the steak cut of your choice (we used top sirloin) into 1" strips and place in a large mixing bowl.  Coat the beef pieces in the Shawarma marinade (be sure to serve ⅛ of the marinade as extra drizzle over the final product!) and set aside for 15 minutes  Grill the beef evenly on all sides until fully cooked.  While the beef is on the grill, steam the broccoli in the microwave (place bowlful of fresh broccoli florets and 1 tablespoon water in microwave and cook for 3-5 minutes or until florets are tender) and then make the bulgur by venting the package and cooking in the microwave for 90 seconds.  Serve the beef and broccoli and bulgur with a mint leaf garnish, a drizzle of the reserved marinade, and fresh vegetable pieces (we loved it with onion and grape tomatoes).

Served with a side of Wild Garden Bulgur which is for those in the family that can consume gluten.

 

Persian Chicken and Zucchini Salad:

Juicy chicken and fresh zucchini served grilled in a light and refreshing spiced marinade over top of a fresh green salad and served with a side of savory rice and lentils.

To make, place chicken breasts in a large mixing bowl.  Coat chicken and zucchini pieces in the Persian marinade (but keeping ¼ of the marinade as a salad dressing) and set aside for 15 minutes.  Grill chicken and zucchini evenly on all sides until fully cooked.  While the chicken is on the grill, make the rice and lentils by venting the package and cooking in the microwave for 90 seconds and creating your favorite salad.  Serve the chicken and zucchini over your salad with the reserved marinade, and rice and lentils with a parsley garnish and Wild Garden Hummus!

Served with a side of Wild Garden Rice and Lentils and Wild Garden's Hummus (delicious paired with bell pepper slices!) which are both gluten free.

 

You can buy Wild Garden products on Amazon and can find out more about Wild Garden products, stores, and recipes on their website here!

Thanks for stopping in friends!

I partnered with Wild Garden, a brand I personally recommend to friends and family for this post.  Thank you for continuing to support me, BHHY, and the brands that help make this site possible.