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Seitan Delivery or Pickup
The Instacart guide to seitan products
When you first look at the word seitan, you might conjure up images of the devil. However, this meat alternative is pronounced "say-tan." "Seitan" is a word of Japanese origin that roughly translated means "made of protein."
About seitan
Unlike other common meat substitutes such as tofu and tempeh, seitan isn't made out of soy. It's oftentimes called "wheat meat" because it's made out of wheat. It's mixed and kneaded much like bread dough, but it differs from bread dough in that the starch is removed, leaving just the protein. The result is a rather dense food, which has become a staple in many Asian and vegetarian dishes. It's often sold plain, in chunks, or packed in a broth with oil.
Seitan mimics the texture of meat very well and takes on flavors easily. It's also higher in protein than tofu and tempeh: A 3oz serving of seitan has 18g of protein, compared to 8g of tofu and 16.6g in tempeh for the same serving size.
Seitan cooking tips
Just like tofu, seitan in its raw state can be rather bland. Some people claim it has a mushroom taste. Due to its inherent flavor, seitan can absorb a variety of flavors through marinades. Seitan can take the place of chicken in just about any recipe. Its dense and chewy texture also allows it to be used in place of roast beef. You can use it in stir-fries, kabobs, and sandwiches. It's also often used in Chinese cooking, and you might be familiar with it if you've enjoyed mock duck, pork, or chicken dishes.
Seitan doesn't need to be heated before eating, but you can always brown it in a frying pan with a little oil before adding it to a recipe. Just like tofu, you can slice it, break it into pieces, or crumble it. Crumbled seitan can add a beef-like texture to chili, while slices add texture to curries.
Since seitan holds its structure better than tofu, it works well in various dishes where it's used as the main course. You can use it as an ounce-by-ounce substitute for meat in meatloaf, meatballs, and cordon bleu. If you do plan to cook it, remember that you need to keep it moist. Think of it as pre-cooked meat that you only need to cook until it's the same temperature as the rest of your dish.
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FAQs about seitan
Because it's high in protein but low in fat, seitan is an excellent food to consume if you're interested in losing weight. It can help you feel full, which could help promote weight loss. High-protein diets have been shown to decrease levels of ghrelin, which is a hormone that stimulates hunger. If you want a healthy way to burn some calories, you should avoid simple carbohydrates – including white pasta, rice, and bread – and eat healthy fats and proteins instead.
If you plan to use the seitan in stews or other dishes with liquid, you can keep the seitan in its broth. Pour both the seitan and its broth in an airtight container, and put it in the refrigerator. It can stay fresh for up to 10 days. You can extend its shelf life by reboiling it in its stock every three to four days.
You can also store dry seitan, which is beneficial if you plan to use it in stir-fries or other dry dishes. It maintains its texture and taste quite well. Take the dry seitan, wrap it in cling wrap or aluminum foil, and place it in the refrigerator. With this method, the seitan will last up to five days.
Yes, you can freeze either wet or dry seitan, but with either option, make sure it's cool beforehand. With the wet seitan, place it in an airtight container. For the dry seitan, double-wrap it in aluminum foil, followed by a layer of cling wrap. You could also use a freezer bag. You can keep seitan in the freezer for up to six months.
To thaw, place the seitan in your refrigerator. Depending on the size of the dry seitan, it should take between two to three hours for it to thaw. Wet seitan should take longer, so you might want to take it out the day before and have it thaw in the refrigerator for several hours. Another option is to run it under cold water.