Breaded Seitan (wheat meat)

Making seitan at home is surprisingly easy, though it is quite time consuming.  For those who are new to seitan, or wheat meat as it is sometimes called,  it is a dense meat alternative made of protein-rich wheat gluten.  The texture is similar to red meat, and it can be flavoured as you wish.  It is a great alternative to tofu and when made at home, is extremely inexpensive!  

Dough 

• 1 ½ cups vital wheat gluten flour 
• 2 table spoons nutritional yeast flakes (optional) 
• 1 cup cold water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon oregano 
• 1 teaspoon pepper 
• Breading
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs 
• ½ cup nutritional yeast flakes 
• extra oil for frying 
• tomato sauce
• 2 L of cold water for boiling 

Method

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients by hand until blended.  The dough will be spongy and very dense.  If there is too much liquid, just squeeze it out.  
2. Fill a soup pot with cold water.  Rip small, 2 inch pieces dough and place them in the water.  Once finish, gently simmer in the water for 45 minutes.  
3. Allow to cool and squeeze out extra moister from the dough balls. 
4. Once cooled, slice each piece to ¼ inch thickness and toss in breadcrumb mixture.  
5. Heat oil in a frying pan and gently fry each seitan until golden brown.  Drain on paper towels. 
6. Serve with tomato sauce, and fresh herbs on its own, or on a sandwich.