To my delight, I have just discovered "seitan" here on Yahoo Q&A.?

Question

I have been searching for something like this for absolutely ages,,, never knew it actually existed and had a name!! Ive seen all the various vegetarian options in the shops and as my daughter is vegetarian it is of extra interest to provide her with a varied and well balanced diet. So while there is quite a selection to be bought, I am always wary of many of these products, because, while they may be "vegetarian" in the sense they contain no meat, they are still processed foodstuffs. Too often I see a great list of e-numbered additives, which in my mind, detracts from the basic product and makes me question if in the end they are a healthy alternative at all. Now I have all these brilliant recipes on how to make it myself,how to cook it and all sorts of other interesting tips.
My question/s is/are (sorry, I know I get "wordy") Once I have made a batch of seitan, how long does it keep? What is the best way to store it? Can it be frozen, cooked or uncooked? Thanx in advance any replies

Answer 1

I think you are supposed to keep it covered in water in the refrig.??here are my link lists for seitan recipes

Seitan Recipes
http://www.vrg.org/recipes/vjseitan.htm
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chicken-seitan/detail.aspx
http://www.innerself.com/recipes/entrees/seitan.htm
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/recipebox/wheaties.html
http://www.johnrussell.name/recipes/seitan.htm
http://www.vegan-food.net/recipe/889/Turkey-A-La-Mincus/ (incl.turkey)
http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/seitanrecipes.htm (incl turkey)
Seitan with tapioca
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/~cook/cgi-bin/eprintable.pl
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/recipebox/wheaties.html (several recipes)
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/recipebox/glutchuck.html (unchuck roast)

At the link for ellenskitchen, she is using tapioca in her seitan and she says this

I got very interested in tapioca when I developed a new method of making tender wheat meat/ seitan chuck roast using MINUTE® Tapioca.

By the way, to use cracked small pearl tapioca in the seitan, which simmers for 6-8 hours, all I had to do was increase the amount about a third and soak the bits in some of the broth or liquid for about an hour before adding to the recipe.
http://www.ellenskitchen.com/~cook/cgi-bin/eprintable.pl

Answer 2

I like it when seitan and tofu are used together. Not only do they complement each other nutritionally (wheat protein is pretty deficient in some amino acids), but also in flavor. Tofu does a great job of soaking up flavors from the soup or spices. Seitan - not as much and it maintains a 'bready' flavour.

Answer 3

Seiten can store in the refrigerator for about two weeks in my household. I will say that I put it in a container right away while it is still hot and will kill any bacteria in the container because it is so hot. I have never tried to freeze it since it goes so fast in our household. And remember that seiten is always cooked, it boils for hours to get done, and it is never uncooked.
I do believe that it can be frozen though, cause Tofurky is half wheat meat (seiten) and half tofu, and that arrives frozen in the store where they sell it. I will say that Tofurky is pretty dry when reheated back up to eat, so it may dry it out alittle (so put some gravy on it).

Answer 4

I am semi-experienced w/ seitan. It can keep for about a week to a week and a half if you wrap in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. I've never frozen my seitan. I don't think it would do well under those conditions.

Answer 5

can the cut the words dwn a bit i aint readin all that