How To Make Seitan

Seitan or wheat gluten (wheat-meat) is a great meat alternative for vegetarians. As vegetarians know, combining legumes and grains such as humus and pita, rice and beans, or peanut butter on bread creates a complete protein (provides all the essential amino acids); this seitan recipe does the same by using soy and corn flour with the wheat gluten.

Step 1 What you will need:

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup corn flour (or fine grind corn meal)
• 1/4 cup soy flour
• 1 1/2 cup vital wheat gluten*
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock**
• another 2 quarts vegetable stock**

*Vital wheat gluten or wheat gluten can be found in regular grocery stores and health food stores.
**The vegetable stock gives the seitan it's flavor, feel free to add other spices or seasoning to your taste ie; garlic, soy sauce, tamari etc.

Equipment:

• measuring cups and spoons
• large bowl
• spoon for stirring
• sifter
• large cooking pot

Comments

[emcdownald]

this is essentially a mcdouble

[Saucier DuFer]

I believe the point, (if you read the intro...,) was to complement, with additional grains, the amino acids present in the gluten in order to "complete the proteins". Yes, it's "Fu", and it can also be made by adding dried falafel and/or veggie burger mixes!!! Drooool !!! Check it out! :=}

[ChrysN]

Adding dried falafel and veggie burger mix sounds good!

[VeganJan]

Hi All,

The best vital wheat gluten flour is Bobs Red Mill. I have tried making it with other name brands of vital. This one is really a no brainer. The texture is great and you can spice it up any style. I cook spanish, asian and greek cuisine and its works great. Just add soy sauce or in my case because I watch the salt content, I use balsamic viniger and it makes it brownish for faux beef dinners. I have been a vegan for 20 years and I am glad I use this for protein. You don't need to add cornmeal, baking soda or flour, those make it more startchy.

I add garlic, ginger and various herbs. It takes on the flavors great. Enjoy in good health...

[ChrysN]

Thanks for the tips, Bobs Red Mill has great stuff!

[doomsdayltd]

i haven't really tried seitan, whats it like?

[ChrysN]

It has an almost meaty texture and the taste is just whatever seasonings you add to it.

[doomsdayltd]

oh well then i can put in some cumin which gives it a Smokey flavor

[ChrysN]

Yum! I love cumin.

[AidanG]

This isn't seitan. This is a really heavy dumpling. To make seitan, you have to wash out the starches.

http://www.instructables.com/id/Seitan-Made-Easy/

[ChrysN]

My recipe consists mostly of wheat gluten which has the starch removed.

[Ryonin]

There is actually a name for wheat gluten with grain flours added. It's called "Fu" and it's the precursor of seitan. 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheat_gluten_(food)#Japanese

[drewSaysGoVeg]

Yummy! Good instructions!

The kneeding is very important, it create the stringiness of the mock meat. The more kneeding, the more stringy and chicken-like.

[ChrysN]

Thanks, I don't know that.

[Veganlady]

This sounds excellent! I never thought to add corn and soy flour along with the gluten.  I'm gonna try making this this weekend for sure!