What are your thoughts on seitan?
- Thread starter John23
- Start date
The best place to try seitan is likely a vegan Asian or Chinese restaurant. It's a common ingredient in East Asian cuisine, and a good restaurant will show you how flavorful and meaty it can be.
You can use seitan just like you would use meat. Making it is easy - just boil gluten and then add your own seasoning.
I have a bag of vital wheat gluten on my shelf, waiting for me to try making seitan. I'm nervous but also really excited. It's super high in protein, low in calories, and has no fat. I've enjoyed it when I've had it elsewhere. Fingers crossed I can make it decently at home. I'm going to use this recipe. The author also has a list of marinades to try with it.
Yes, I'm aware that seitan is a high-protein wheat concentrate. Since it's grain-based, it's beneficial to eat it with legume protein for a complete amino acid profile. It's not an issue for everyone, but those on a gluten-free diet may want to avoid it.
Making seitan yourself is fun. Just get a big ball of dough, knead it well, then rinse it in a bowl with warm water, changing the water until it turns clear. Then season and bake!
The best recipes I've tried also include tofu, lentils, or beans mixed into the seitan. It gives a great texture and flavor. I've found that the steaming method works best, followed by resting (and marinating if you like), and then frying, sautéing, or BBQing. So far, I've made steaks, chicken breasts, and sausages.
Seitan is considered one of the least complete protein sources, so it's important to eat it as part of a mixed diet. This can be easily fixed by combining it with other protein sources. However, the amino acids in seitan aren't well balanced if you're relying on it to meet your macros.
We have a second fridge that's basically dedicated to Blackbird Foods' seitan products. It's great.
