Beer-Simmered Seitan Carnitas

When I served this for dinner a few nights ago, my husband immediately said “this is a keeper!” after his first bite and my daughter ate her portion without throwing it. Success!!

Beer-Simmered Seitan Carnitas on a wheat tortilla with spinach, grape tomatoes, Follow Your Heart Nacho Cheese (shredded) homemade guacamole and Habanero Sauce on top!

This is a Happy Herbivore recipe, she has easy, great tasting recipes for everyone!

INGREDIENTS:

* 3/4 cup vital wheat gluten

* 1/4 cup chickpea flour

* 3 tbsp nutritional yeast

* 2 tsp onion powder

* 1 tsp garlic powder

* 3/4 cup water

* 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce

* 1 tbsp nutritional yeast

* 1/2 tsp vegemite

* 1/4 tsp garlic powder

* 1/4 tsp onion powder

* 12 ounces beer – I used Newcastle Ale

* 1/2 tsp vegemite


INSTRUCTIONS

1. Whisk vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 tsp onion powder and 1 tsp garlic powder together in a bowl and set aside. Combine warm water (hot from the tap) with soy sauce, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1/2 tsp vegemite (or marmite or vegan Worcestershire sauce), 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp onion powder together. Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir to form a dough. If it’s too dry, add another tbsp or two of warm water but becareful not to make it too wet or soggy. You want it to be firm, but pliable and moist. Knead 5-10 times then place into a large pot.

2. Pour beer over top (mine was room temp), cover and bring to a boil. Once boiling, add 1/2 tsp more vegemite, reduce to low and simmer until most of the liquid has absorbed, about 45 minutes to 1 hour. About 1/4 cup cooking liquid should line the bottom of the pot .

3. Use a butter knife (not a sharp knife) to shred thin slices off of the seitan. If the seitan is too wet or juicy for you, place slices on a cookie sheet and bake at 350F for 8-10 minutes on each side. Ne careful not to over bake the seitan — you want it slightly firmer but not dried out and hard.

4. For “carnitas” slap seitan into whole wheat tortillas with lettuce and tomatoes, and spoon residual cooking liquid over the filling.

Whisk vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, 3 tbsp nutritional yeast, 2 tsp onion powder and 1 tsp garlic powder together in a bowl and set aside

Combine warm water (hot from the tap) with soy sauce, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, 1/2 tsp vegemite (or marmite or vegan Worcestershire sauce), 1/4 tsp garlic powder and 1/4 tsp onion powder together

Pour liquid into flour mixture and stir to form a dough

Knead dough 5-10 times

Place in pan, pour beer over it, bring to boil, add 1/2 tsp more vegemite, boil 45 or until done

Done

Slice with butter knife

Ready to assemble carnitas!

Spinach, grape tomatoes, Follow Your Heart Vegan Nacho Cheese (shredded), homemade guacamole and Habanero Sauce on top!

YUMMY!!!

In case you don't know what Vegemite looks like...

Napa Cabbage Tacos

I ordered a napa cabbage from my CSA and when it arrived yesterday I was blown away at how big it was!

I took the leftover TVP “meat” mixture and all of my toppings (including the Southwestern Chipotle Dressing/Sauce)and used the napa cabbage to make Napa Cabbage Tacos! Napa Cabbage isn’t as thick as regular cabbage, it’s very refreshing and has a nice crunch to it.

These turned out really good! Yay for leftovers!