Hail, seitan!
By Daily Orange Staff Member
Posted: 1/23/08, 10:04 PM EST Section: Feature
Seitan is a meat substitute made of wheat gluten that, at least for me, comes the closest to the texture and taste of actual meat. In fact, many vegetarians and vegans refuse to eat it because it feels so much like eating meat.
I first experienced seitan at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Pawtucket, R.I., called Garden Grille Café. Though still largely unheard of, even in the vegetarian/vegan community, it's a great substitute for meat in meals. It's also very easy to make at home.
Easy Seitan (adapted from Jill Nussinow's recipe on the Vegetarian Resource Group's Web site, vrg.org)
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour, 15 minutes
Serves: About four
Ingredients:
1 box wheat gluten (found in the baking aisle at the grocery store; it normally costs approximately $3 a box and contains 2 cups of wheat gluten)
1-teaspoon garlic powder
1/2-teaspoon onion powder
1/2-teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup water or vegetable stock
3 tablespoons soy sauce
For the broth:
4 cups water
1/4-cup soy sauce
Sprinkles of garlic and onion powders
1. Combine gluten flour with garlic powder, onion powder and ginger. Mix in water or stock and the 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
2. Once a stiff, squishy dough forms, knead about one minute. Let the dough rest about five minutes, and then knead again. Let rest 15 minutes.
3. Prepare the broth in a large saucepan, combining the water, soy sauce and spices. Bring the broth to a simmer.
4. Cut gluten dough into "cutlets" and simmer, covered, in the broth for 30 to 60 minutes. Note: The dough will expand considerably, so make sure your pot is big enough.
5. The seitan can be eaten immediately, refrigerated or even frozen.
I first experienced seitan at a vegetarian/vegan restaurant in Pawtucket, R.I., called Garden Grille Café. Though still largely unheard of, even in the vegetarian/vegan community, it's a great substitute for meat in meals. It's also very easy to make at home.
Easy Seitan (adapted from Jill Nussinow's recipe on the Vegetarian Resource Group's Web site, vrg.org)
Time: 45 minutes to 1 hour, 15 minutes
Serves: About four
Ingredients:
1 box wheat gluten (found in the baking aisle at the grocery store; it normally costs approximately $3 a box and contains 2 cups of wheat gluten)
1-teaspoon garlic powder
1/2-teaspoon onion powder
1/2-teaspoon ground ginger
1 cup water or vegetable stock
3 tablespoons soy sauce
For the broth:
4 cups water
1/4-cup soy sauce
Sprinkles of garlic and onion powders
1. Combine gluten flour with garlic powder, onion powder and ginger. Mix in water or stock and the 3 tablespoons of soy sauce.
2. Once a stiff, squishy dough forms, knead about one minute. Let the dough rest about five minutes, and then knead again. Let rest 15 minutes.
3. Prepare the broth in a large saucepan, combining the water, soy sauce and spices. Bring the broth to a simmer.
4. Cut gluten dough into "cutlets" and simmer, covered, in the broth for 30 to 60 minutes. Note: The dough will expand considerably, so make sure your pot is big enough.
5. The seitan can be eaten immediately, refrigerated or even frozen.
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Melissa
posted 1/31/08 @ 11:30 PM EST
Seitan is truly an awesome food!
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