Everything Homemade BBQ

So, my first new recipe in Colorado - BBQ!

(Sorry for the bad photo.. my new camera hasn't arrived yet.)



It's BBQ season, isn't it? Well, this vegan version is not only knock-your-socks-off great, but the sauce is unexpected and amazing. Tired of that same old BBQ sauce in a jar? Have no fear.. Bicyclingvegan to the rescue! Yes, I think that'll be my super hero name.

On to the goodies..

BBQ Ingredients
1 c wheat gluten
1/4 c nutritional yeast
1 1/2 T garlic powder
1/2 - 1 t onion powder
1 T paprika
2 T bouillon powder
1 c water
3 T oil or melted margarine
2-3 T nut butter of your choice

Making seitan is easier than you think. And cheaper, too!

Preheat oven to 375. Mix all dry ingredients together in a bowl. Now add oil and water. Mix well and quickly! It'll stick together well -- this is what wheat gluten does. That's why you always add any wet ingredients last.

Put your blob of gluten onto your cutting board. Smear with nut butter of your choice -- tahini, or peanut butter or almond butter or whatever you like. Different nut butters have different flavors. You choose.

I ripped it into bite-sized pieces. You can slice it if you prefer slices. Oil your pan a little. Place seitan bits or slices apart on the glass bowl or cooking sheet or whatever you're using. Bake 10 minutes. Now flip. Bake another 10 minutes. It should be pretty crispy and thoroughly cooked.

*** Keep in mind that this is just ONE way of many that you can make seitan. Sometimes you boil it before baking or frying. You can batter it and make a fried chik'n (that's quite good!) You can add tofu with the water (at the wet stage) for a thicker, more chicken fried steak-feel. It's heavier.. so it may be good to try that for your meat-eating friends. Don't be afraid to experiment. I promise, you won't hurt it! And you don't have to worry about undercooking your vegan seitan -- because you won't get any of those nasty things that meat-eaters get from undercooked or diseased meat. Yet another perk of veganism!

While your seitan is cooking, start your sauce. After adding the completed sauce to your BBQ, you can bake another 5-10 minutes to give your BBQ a caramelized texture.. beware not to overcook!



VERSION 1
Sauce Ingredients
step 1:
1/2 cup minced red (or whatever you have) bell pepper
2 T margarine
step 2:
1 cup water
1 c ketchup
1/2 - 1 t onion powder
1 t salt
1/2 - 1 t pepper
2 T vegan worcestershire sauce
2 - 4 T raw sugar
1 t yellow mustard powder
1 squeeze lemon or lime (optional)

VERSION 2
Sauce Ingredients
step 1:
1/2 - 1 c pineapple
2 T margarine
step 2:
2/3 cup water
1/3 c pineapple juice
1 c ketchup
1/2 - 1 t onion powder
1 t salt
1/2 - 1 t pepper
2 T vegan worcestershire sauce
1 T raw sugar

While your seitan is cooking, perform step 1 of your sauce by sauteing either bell pepper or pineapple. Once bell pepper or pineapple is cooked to your liking (about 5-15 minutes), add all ingredients in step 2. Keep on medium heat and cook until slightly thickened, about 15-20 minutes. (If necessary, add 1 1/2 t cornstarch pre-mixed with 1 T water. This will thicken sauce. But I didn't find it necessary.)

* * *

Now, once you've removed your cooked seitan from the oven, place in a glass bowl and smother in your awesome, tangy BBQ sauce. Remember, you can now cook your seitan another 5-10 minutes to caramelize the outside -- but trust me, it's not necessary!

Reheat it by baking 5-10 minutes.

Enjoy as a side-dish, on a sandwich or however you prefer. Just enjoy!