Introduction #
The texture of seitan is almost always too grainy compared to real beef. The innovation here is pairing gluten with tapioca flour. A little tapioca flour greatly improves the texture and give the gluten a homogeneous mouth feel.
Dry ingredients #
- 1 1/2 cups vital wheat gluten
- 1/4 cup tapioca flour
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Mix well before adding liquid.
Texture #
If you feel like this recipe is too homogeneous (e.g., like chicken breast meat) then you can try with one or more of the following additives to provide more textural variation.
- 1 table tapioca pearls (soak 2-3 hours)
- 1 table green lentils (cook al dente, boil 9-12 min)
- 1 table crushed walnut
Wet ingredients #
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
Process #
Gradually combine dry and wet ingredients together. If necessary, add a little bit more water.
Stretch by hand into steak shapes. Steam (don’t pressure cook) for 10 min (takes 2-3 cups of water).
As a finishing touch, coat with BBQ sauce. Air fry 375F for 3-5 min.