The world is diverse, as are people. Someone prefers to eat only dishes containing meat products, and some simply do not tolerate such products. Not so long ago in Asia they came up with a new type of meat from gluten, which has a very unusual taste.
Seitan - what is it? Today everyone will find out the answer to this question!
Introduction
Seitan is a completely new food product that can be made from ordinary wheat protein (sometimes it is also called gluten or gluten). Roughly speaking, if you have not tried seitan what it is, do not even guess, know that it is a vegetable protein, that is, meat.
Interesting to know! About 100 grams of protein, 40 grams of carbohydrates and just 1 gram of fat are found in 100 grams of seitan. This product is as popular in different countries of the world as possible. He gained such fame because he became the first plant type of meat.
Admit, already want to try seitan? What is it now you know. It remains only to learn how to cook this wonderful dish!
How to cook seitan?
This dish is a real delicacy for vegetarians. As you know, vegetarian cuisine does not imply the use of meat from living creatures. But you can eat vegetable meat to such people, and this is not a violation of existing rules.
Of course, knowing the taste of Seitan meat (what we have already examined), it is safe to say that such a product has nothing to do with real meat, but it is not! Yes, the dish does not exactly imitate the taste of real meat, but it complements many dishes well, but this is not about that. Let's talk about making seitan at home.
How to make vegetable meat at home?
Now we will discuss a step-by-step recipe for making this wonderful wheat meat. Note! Seitan calorie content is not very large, but not so small - about 300 kilocalories per 100 grams of the finished product.
Ingredients for cooking:
- 2 kilograms of flour;
- 1000 milliliters of filtered water.
First step
So, taking a large bowl, pour the necessary amount of flour there. Add a liter of water and knead the dough. We leave the resulting mixture in the form of a ball for 20-30 minutes.
After half an hour, you need to fill the bowl with the dough inside with water. Of course, it will grow cloudy. Try to rinse the dough. Do not forget to change the water (white to transparent). Repeat this action until the water in the bowl becomes almost transparent. This suggests that there is almost no starch in flour, which means that mainly gluten has remained, which is so often used by vegetarians. Vegetarian cuisine is so interesting, isn't it?
Second step
When you receive a washed bowl of wheat protein, you can start cooking this product. Famous chefs recommend cooking seitan in broth or simply with the addition of seasoning and dried vegetables. Cooking lasts 20-30 minutes, then the dough must be put on a sieve.
Third step
Now comes the time when you need to grate this "meat" with your favorite spices. Also, experts recommend adding a little olive oil to the mixture.
Note! At the time before cooking, the ball does not have any taste, that is, its further taste depends only on what you decide to add.
A good idea is the desire to let seitan lie in some kind of marinade for cooking meat. This will benefit the taste!
In order for the taste to be saturated, you should keep the cooked gluten in a certain mixture for 1-2 hours, so that it is well saturated.
Fourth step
Now you must choose the dishes for the oven, in which your vegetable meat will be cooked. A baking sheet or other kitchenware must be greased with a thick layer of oil so that the dough does not stick.
Chefs also recommend putting some vegetables on a baking sheet so that the taste of the dish becomes even more pleasant for vegetarians and those who want to try something new.
Bake the product for 45 minutes, the temperature in the oven should be 200 degrees.
Good to know! Seitan is very similar to fries. It is easily cut into small slices. Such meat is suitable for both hot meals and cold. Seitan combines well with various cereals, potatoes, pasta and mushrooms, and for true vegetarians you can try to cook seaweed with such Chinese meat!
Who can eat a seitan, but who can’t?
Doctors warn that Seitan should never be used by people who are hypersensitive to its main component - gluten.
The finished product contains a lot of fiber, which many people lack. There is no cholesterol in this product at all - this is a huge advantage!
To summarize
Everyone can cook their own seitan, the recipe of which is presented a little higher. However, is it worth it to spend a lot of time if in almost every store you can easily buy Chinese meat, spending a minimum of money.
Seitan - a unique dish that will appeal to everyone without exception. It contains only useful substances necessary for the body of any person, regardless of gender, age, race, etc. You will be surprised when you try this incredibly tasty meat for the first time. By the way, pay attention to the fact that this food is served in many restaurants.
Good mood, unforgettable emotions and bon appetit!