Seitan (a high-protein ‘meat’ made from wheat!)
Seitan is a ‘wheat meat’ that is very similar to meat in taste and texture. Choose from several flavours, including vegan pepperoni. Obviously it’s not for gluten-free diets.
Seitan is mostly wheat gluten, the protein left behind after washing starch from wheat flour, or made from vital wheat gluten mixed with water. Because it’s concentrated protein, it’s one of the highest-protein meat alternatives “per bite”.
Texture is the main reason people buy it. Seitan turns springy and dense, often similar to chicken or doner-style pieces. It also slices well, which helps if you miss that “proper” sandwich filling.
Flavour-wise, plain seitan is mild. It’s a blank canvas, so it needs seasoning and sauce. If you buy ready-made pieces, check the label, some are quite salty.
Common ways to use seitan:
- Stir-fries with ginger, garlic, and greens
- Fajitas with peppers, onions, and smoky spices
- Kebab-style pieces in wraps with salad and chilli sauce
Read up on food safety for people and pets. For tinned ingredients, rinse/remove lids (or pop ring-pulls over holes) then step on upper cans to pinch rims together, to stop wildlife getting trapped.
Unless you have food waste bins, just bin pepper and allium scraps (onion, leeks, garlic, shallot, chives), citrus/tomato/rhubarb scraps. To avoid acids harming compost creatures.
