This is a cracking recipe for when you fancy something meaty. Seitan is made from vital wheat gluten flour and when mixed with wet ingredients forms a sticky dough. It is packed with protein, low in fat and saturated fat, and contains zero cholesterol. Steam it, marinade it, then grill it for something tasty and meaty! I have also put together a really tasty peppercorn sauce that is totally oil, butter and cream free!!

Ingredients – Seitan Steak

220g Vital wheat gluten
1 x Tin green lentils, drained and rinsed
2.5 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1 Tsp chilli powder
1 Tsp onion granules
1 Tsp garlic granules
90ml Vegetable stock – See my OIL FREE stock recipe here: https://oilfreefoodie.com/2021/04/23/stock-cubes/
2 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 Tsp dijon mustard
1/2 Tsp liquid smoke
100g Silken tofu

Ingredients – Marinade

60ml Vegetable stock
3 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp vegan Worcester sauce
1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1/2 Tbsp nutritional yeast
1 clove garlic crushed OR 1/2 tsp garlic granules
1 Tsp Hot pepper sauce from a bottle (ensure no oil)
1 Tsp black pepper
1 Tsp paprika
1 Tsp dijon mustard
1/2 Tsp white pepper

Ingredients – Peppercorn Sauce

500ml soya milk
2 Tbsp Nutritional yeast
1.5 Tbsp corn flour
1 Tbsp cornmeal or polenta
1/2 Tbsp white miso paste
1/2 Tbsp Agarve nectar
1 Shallot or small onion finely chopped
30ml Brandy (optional)
1 Tbsp low sodium soy sauce or tamari
1 Tbsp water
2 Tsp black pepper
1 Tbsp fresh green peppercorns (optional)
1/5 Tsp sea salt (optional)

Method:

1 – First make the seitan. Add all of the ingredients to a food processor. Blitz on high speed until the dough forms.

2 – Remove the dough and place on a clean surface with a little dusting of vital wheat gluten. Kneed for a minute or so, but also stretch and twist the seitan without breaking. Form into a large clump.

3 – Place a steamer basket atop a large saucepan of gently simmering water. Take a sharp knife and slice the seitan into 4 or 5 individual pieces. Form these pieces into ‘steak’ shapes about 1.5cm thick.

4 – Place the seitan pieces in the steam basket on top of pieces of tinfoil. Cover with a lid and steam for 18mins, turning after 9mins. The seitan will increase in size.

5 – While the seitan is steaming, make the marinade. Put all the ingredients into a shallow bowl or casserole dish. Mix well to combine all of the ingredients.

6 – Remove the seitan from the steamer and place straight into the marinade. Pour over the marinade on the topside of the ‘steak’ and cover with a clean tea towel. Ideally you want to leave this marinating for at least 30mins flipping over regularly. (THE LONGER YOU LEAVE IT TO MARINATE, THE BETTER.) For the final 10mins or so of marinating, slice the seitan into pieces (as shown below) about 1-1.5cm thick and mix through the marinade again.

7 – While the seitan steaks are marinating start making the peppercorn sauce. First put the soyal milk into a food processor or Nutribullet. Then add the nutritional yeast, corn flour, cornmeal, miso, agarve, black pepper, half the green peppercorns and the sea salt if using. Blitz for around 20 seconds until well combined.

8 – Set the sauce mixture aside. Put the grill on. Place the seitan slices onto a baking tray (with tinfoil on or grill tray. Pour over some excess marinade and place under the grill for 5-6mins, turning once. If you prefer blackened or burnt edges, leave for longer.

9 – Put the tbsp of soy sauce and water into a small or medium saucepan over a low to medium heat. Add the shallot and stir constantly until it has softened. Pour in the brandy if using, turn up the heat and bubble away for a few minutes until the brandy has reduced a little.

10 – Pour in the sauce mixture. Add in the remaining green peppercorns and add extra if you like a lot of whole peppercorns. Stir the sauce constantly with a spatula until the sauce thickens to a thick consistency. If it is still too runny, mix a tsp of corn flour with a tsp of water and add into the pan and stir.

11- Remove the seitan steaks and serve with jacket spuds and salad. Pour over the peppercorn sauce and enjoy!!