Seitan in Peanut Sauce or Vegetarian Gai Tua

This is a delicious modification of a classic Thai dish! You've probably had the chicken version if you're a meat eater, and I'm sure you could substitute meat for the seitan, however, I urge you to give the seitan a try. Seitan is a meat substitute made from wheat gluten. Seitan comes the closest to real meat that a vegetarian or vegan can have. Seitan really picks up the flavor of whatever marinade it's put into. If you've ever had 'mock duck' at a Thai restaurant, then you've had seitan before. It can be found at natural food or Asian food stores.

• Preparation Time: 10 mins
• Cooking Time: 15 mins
• Total Time: 25 mins
• Calories: 558 Calories

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped
• 4 green onions, chopped
• 3 tablespoons smooth peanut butter
• 1 teaspoon red curry paste
• ½ sweet onion, chopped
• 1 bunch fresh spinach, chopped
• 2 teaspoons chopped fresh ginger
• ½ teaspoon chili garlic sauce
• 1 (16 ounce) package chicken-style seitan, cut into strips or cubes
• 1 (15 ounce) can coconut milk, divided
• 1 teaspoon tamari or soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon vegetarian oyster sauce

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Combine the ginger, garlic, and curry paste in small bowl. Slowly pour in 1/4 cup coconut milk; stirring until the mixture is smooth. Gently stir in the seitan, coating the seitan with the marinade. Refrigerate for 30 minutes to 1 hour. The longer you let it soak, the more flavorful the seitan will taste!

Step 2

Stir together the remaining coconut milk, peanut butter, sugar, vegetable oil, tamari, chili garlic sauce, and oyster sauce in a medium bowl. Don't worry if it's not completely blended: when you cook it, the various substances will meld wonderfully. Set sauce aside.

Step 3

Lightly coat a large skillet with cooking spray; add the chopped onion; cook over high heat for 3 to 4 minutes, or until the onion is tender. Stir in the seitan, and cook until the seitan is heated through, about 7 minutes. Pour in the sauce, and stir to combine. Mix in the spinach and green onions; cook 3 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the spinach is cooked.