seitan – The Vegan Love Project

Vegan Seitan “Chicken”Paprikash

Vegan “Chicken” Seitan Paprikash

This is a stovetop version of my Grandmother’s traditional Hungarian dish that was one of my most favorites growing up. My grandma would cook whole chicken legs in white rice bathed in oil with onions and a ton of Hungarian paprika. My mom would kid that in order to make this properly, you need a full gallon of oil. If you are not interested in using a “fake” chicken product, or would like this dish to be gluten free, chickpeas replace the “chicken” in this dish remarkably well; it is equally delicious although not as familiar as what I grew up on. Serve this with a huge side of Sautéed Kale.

1 pound chicken style seitan, drained (Westsoy makes a chicken seitan) or make your own! Or 1 can or 1-1/2c chickpeas

1/2t pink Salt

1/2t black pepper

3 tablespoons olive oil

1 large onion, medium dice

4c Water

2T Hungarian paprika

1 1/2c white basmati or carolina rice

1 bouillon cube or replace the water with veggie broth

In a large heated pot, sauté ¼ of the onion in 1 T of oil until golden and just brown. Add the “chicken” and sauté until and heated through and it has a little bit of color on it- then remove it from the pan and set aside. In the same pan add the remaining onions and olive oil and sauté for 6-8 minutes. Add in the paprika, salt, pepper and the bouillon cube and continue to sauté until the onions are soft and translucent. Add the cooked rice and add back in the “chicken”, and add 4 cups of water. Bring to a boil and then reduce the heat to low. Cook partially covered for an additional 30-40 minutes stirring minimally. Turn off the heat and let sit for 10 minutes undisturbed prior to serving.

Baked Tofu Marinara Steaks

Baked Tofu Marinara Steaks

1-Pound tofu, rinsed, pressed, and drained- cut into thick, even slices

1c prepared Marinara (see recipe)

1T olive oil

1T shoyu or Tamari

2T maple syrup OR coconut sugar

Pink salt and pepper to taste

Pinch cayenne pepper *optional

2T nutritional yeast

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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees

In a small bowl, mix all of the ingredients except the tofu.

In a shallow baking dish, spoon most of the marinara mixture over the bottom of the dish. In one layer, place the tofu on top of the sauce, then spoon the remaining sauce over the tofu. I turn the tofu over in the pan several times to get a good marinara covering prior to baking. Then spoon some over the top.

Top with additional nutritional yeast or Vegan cheese your choice.

Bake for 45 minutes.

Serve hot or cold. Delicious with gluten free pasta, Sprouted brown rice or quinoa.

Pan Seared Ginger Tofu

Delicious hot or cold, you can make thick steak slices, cubes or triangles.

Pan Seared Ginger Tofu

1# of tofu, cut in thicker slices lengthwise

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

3T olive oil

1t fresh hot pepper *opt

2” fresh ginger

1T tamari

Salt and pepper to taste

In a hot sauté pan, add the oil and the garlic and sauté until just golden. Add the hot pepper and the tofu and pan fry until golden brown, about 6 minutes. Flip to brown the other side. Salt the tofu. Add in the ginger. When both sides are golden, add in the tamari and let it deglaze the pan some, flip after about a minute to the other side to get the same darkened color on the other side. Serve immediately or it is fantastic cold.

Serve as part of a simple meal of a grain like rice, and greens like kale and a sauce of your choosing. I love Sriracha sauce or homemade Hot Sauce.

You can vary the taste by pre-marinating the tofu in flavors of your choosing.

Ie; curry, and or other spices.

Simple Lemon Pepper Baked Tofu

This is a great way to serve tofu to the skeptic. Hot, it is best served with a side of white basmati rice and a simple salad. Cold, it is great in a sandwich or atop a bed of baby greens with a simple gorgeous vinaigrette. This is delicious both hot and cold, today I made it in cubes to have quick bite sized protein snacks on hand in the fridge for a busy weekend.

Lemon Pepper Baked Tofu

Wheat-free, Gluten-free

16oz tofu, (one package) – drained and pressed, sliced, cubed or cut into triangles

Juice of 2 lemons (1/4c)

1t ground black pepper- fresh is best

1 clove garlic, smashed and minced

Pinch to 1/4t chipotle powder

3T Extra Virgin Olive oil

2T nutritional yeast

1t pink salt or to taste

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Preheat oven to 400 degrees

In a bowl, mix the oil, lemon juice, pepper, and salt.

Add the tofu and toss until well coated. Pour into a baking dish.

Sprinkle with the nutritional yeast.

Bake for 35 minutes or until golden.

Penne Spinach “Lasagna” Casserole

The premise of this super tasty dish is that is an easier, quicker, version of my traditional lasagna; it is more accessible as a casserole style baked pasta dish. My friends could not believe it was dairy free. Super cheese like, and could easily be made without the faux cheese if that is not your thing, simply omit it. It has the same basic components of a lasagna but the handling of the pasta goes much faster and delivers fantastic results.

Components:

6 cups spinach- quickly sautéed in garlic and olive, salt and pepper OR blanched and pressed
fresh tomato sauce– recipe below
1 pound of Gluten Free Penne, Rigatoni, or Fusili
Tofu Spinach “ricotta” filling- recipe below
shredded non- dairy cheese of your choosing; Daiya (meltability factor), Follow Your Heart (taste factor), I use a mix of the two.

Putting it together:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees
ladle in about 1 cup of fresh sauce in the bottom of the baking dish
place down one layer of pasta
spread in the tofu filling
layer in sprinkle with the shredded vegan cheese
layer in sauce
layer in pasta
spread in the tofu filling
layer in the last of the pasta
layer in last layer sauce
cover the top layer with shredded vegan cheese
Cover with tin foil and bake for 60 minutes.

Fresh Tomato & Basil Sauce

2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced

4c tomatoes, diced

1/4c fresh basil, lightly packed, chopped

1/4t black pepper

1/4c water

1/2-1 fresh cherry bomb, chili or other hot pepper, minced

1/3c extra virgin olive oil

1t salt or to taste

In a skillet, add the olive oil and sauté the garlic until golden and soft. Add the tomatoes, parsley, salt, black and red pepper. Allow the tomatoes to break down and to come to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes. In the last 5 minutes of cooking, add the fresh basil.

At this point, the sauce is delicious as is or can be pureed to create a smoother sauce.

Tofu “Ricotta” Filling

Tofu Ricotta

1/2 Pound tofu- blanched

1 clove garlic, smashed, minced

3T extra virgin olive oil

1 heaping T mellow white miso

1t brown rice vinegar

1t ume vinegar

1 heaping T sesame tahini

6c fresh spinach or 1 1/2c steamed and pressed (all water out) OR sautéed with garlic and 1t olive oil

1/2c vegan mozzarella or favorite vegan cheese (or a blend)

1/2t black pepper

In a bowl, crumble or smash the tofu with a fork or fingers with all of the other ingredients. Add the vegan cheese and the chopped steamed / pressed spinach. Mix well, taste and adjust seasonings.