Il Cucinologo
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Seitan Stew with Stewed Vegetables

17/11/2023

I can guide you through the preparation of a seitan stew with stewed vegetables, a vegan version of the traditional Italian stew. Here are the ingredients and the procedure.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of seitan
  • 3 carrots
  • 2 zucchinis
  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 onion
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 400 ml of vegetable broth
  • 1 glass of red wine (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons of tomato paste
  • 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Aromatic herbs to taste (rosemary, thyme, bay leaf)
  • Flour for dusting the seitan

Preparation

  1. Start by cutting the seitan into cubes and lightly dusting it with flour.
  2. Heat the oil in a large pot and add the seitan cubes, browning them until golden on all sides.
  3. Remove the seitan from the pot and set it aside.
  4. In the same pot, add a bit more oil if necessary and sauté the finely chopped onion together with the crushed garlic cloves.
  5. Once the onion becomes translucent, add the carrots cut into rounds, the bell pepper cut into pieces, and the zucchini cut into cubes.
  6. Let the vegetables stew for a few minutes, then add the browned seitan.
  7. Deglaze with the red wine and let the alcohol evaporate.
  8. Add the tomato paste and mix well.
  9. Pour in the vegetable broth, adjust salt and pepper, and add the chosen aromatic herbs.
  10. Cover the pot and let it stew over medium-low heat for about 30-40 minutes, until the vegetables are tender and the seitan is well flavored.
  11. If the liquid reduces too much during cooking, add more vegetable broth or hot water.
  12. Taste and adjust salt and pepper if necessary.

Serve the stew hot, perhaps accompanied by a side of roasted potatoes or polenta.

Fun Facts

The seitan stew with stewed vegetables is a vegetarian version of the meat stew. Seitan, also known as “wheat gluten meat”, is made from wheat gluten and is appreciated for its meat-like texture and its versatility in cooking. Stews are traditionally comforting dishes, and this meat-free version is no exception, still offering full flavors and a satisfying texture.