If you're trying seitan for the first time, it's important to note that this is not a new product. So, what is seitan exactly? Seitan is an old ingredient that has been incorporated into dishes for centuries. Previously referred to as "mian jin," seitan has been enjoyed in China since the 6th century. Much later, in the 1960s, "main jin" was reintroduced as seitan, combining the Latin words "sei" (meaning "made of") and "tan" from "tanpaku" (meaning protein).
Since its reintroduction, seitan is most commonly used as a vegan meat substitute due to its chewy texture. Premade seitan is available in several different varieties ranging from sandwich-style slices to sausages and patties. The type of seitan you choose to purchase or make will largely depend on the recipe you're making. As with all convenience products, it's essential that you check the ingredients and expiration dates when purchasing seitan from the store. Many pre-made seitan products are loaded with processed ingredients and preservatives that are not a part of a healthy diet. If this is the case, we suggest making a basic seitan recipe at home instead. By making seitan at home, you'll know exactly what's inside and prepare it in a way you enjoy.
Bob's Red Mill Chickpea Flour is stone ground from whole garbanzo beans. An excellent source of fiber and a popular ingredient in many baked goods, chickpea flour, is commonly used in gluten free recipes. However, it's recently become a popular addition to vegan seitan dough as it helps complete the protein source with additional amino acids. In addition to essential amino acids, chickpeas are loaded with protein, dietary fiber and iron. As one of the creamiest and tastiest beans, chickpea flour lends a sweet, rich flavor to whatever recipe it's added to.
There are many different ways to cook seitan. To help you get started, we've listed a few of our favorite cooking styles below.
Craving empanadas sans the animal products? Start by making these Beef Empanadas with Peppers and Onion, and replace the beef with cooked seitan. A great alternative to a meat-based filling, seasoned seitan will help capture the original flavors of this recipe, creating a dish that will leave everyone full and satisfied. Additionally, a recipe that's naturally gluten free, just a little bit of Bob's Red Mill Gluten Free Masa Harina is added to our Gluten Free Pie Crust Mix to make an enticing crust.
Now that you know the best way to cook seitan, let's put that knowledge to the test! Whether you use one of the recipes listed above or choose to create a dish of your own, adding seitan to your weekly meals is a great way to boost your intake of plant-based protein. From everyone at Bob's Red Mill, we wish you a healthy and happy day!
