Seitan Pastrami (makes About 8 10 Servings)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup instant gluten flour (vital wheat gluten)
- 1/4 cup Red Star Vegetarian support formula, nutritional yeast flakes
- 2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon (or more!) ground black pepper
- 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground allspice
- 3/4 cup cold water
- 4 tbsp. tomato paste
- 2 tbsp. soy sauce
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, pressed
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Place the gluten flour, yeast flakes, and the seasonings in a large mixing bowl, and stir them together. Place the liquid ingredients in a small bowl and mix them together. Pour this liquid into the dry ingredients, and mix them thoroughly. If there is still flour around the edges, add a small amount of additional water (1 or 2 tbsp only!). You should now have a large, firm, spongy mass in the bowl. This is called gluten. Knead the gluten directly in the mixing bowl for about a minute, just to blend (do not add any more flour). Form the gluten into one smooth log (about 6 to 8 inches long. Wrap the log tightly in silver foil, twist the ends up so you have a tight package something like a christmas cracker. Place on a dry baking sheet. If you don't want the foil to be in contact with your food, wrap the gluten tightly in a piece of parchment paper before you wrap it in the foil. Bake the "pastrami" for 1 1/2 hours. When done, unwrap the seitan, transfer it to a cooling rack, and let it cool thoroughly. When completely cool, wrap the seitan tightly in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for a few hours before eating. Slice into paper-thin rounds.