World Vegetarian Day is celebrated on October 1 to promote "the joy, compassion and life-enhancing possibilities of vegetarianism." The idea is to spread awareness about the ethical, environmental, health, and humanitarian benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle. Meat-less, plant-based diet is quite popular and so is vegetarian meat (usually made from soy product). Vegetarian meat mimics animal meat on a molecular level. Protein derived from plant-based food involves less saturated fat with increased fibre and vitamin content. However, plant-based meat is also very healthy and nutritious.

Some of the popular plant-based ingredients one can use to make vegetarian meat are tofu, tempeh, mushrooms, eggplant, jackfruit, beans, lentils, chickpeas and nuts. Some people even use soya chunks or peas. However, one of the most popular types of vegetarian means that does not compromise on the protein content is seitan. Also known as "wheat meat", seitan is made when wheat flour dough is washed with water until all the starch is removed, leaving just insoluble gluten.

How To Make Seitan at Home:

Ingredients:

  • 3 cups brown spelt flour

  • 1 cups hot/warm water (add a little water at a time if you need more to form a

  • dough - should be semi-firm (not too hard, not too soft )

  • 3 tbsp coconut sugar (can use date sugar)

  • 1 tbsp onion powder

  • 1 tbsp sea salt

  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

  • 1/8 tsp ginger powder

  • 1/2 tsp coriander powder

  • 1/2 tsp savoury powder

For Vegetarian Broth:

  • 1.7 L water

  • 2 tbsp of rub

  • small handful thyme

  • 1/2 medium onion

  • 1 scallion/green onion

You can use other veggies of your choice.

Method

  • Make a dough out of spelt flour and water.

  • Dunk the dough in a water-filled bowl and keep aside for thirty minutes.

  • Mix all the spices and condiments in a bowl and keep aside while you rinse the dough.

  • Strain the water out of the dough.

  • Knead the dough with the seasoning.

  • Boil the dough in the vegetable broth.

  • Once cooled down cut the veggie meat into chunks the way you like.

Here's How To Make Vegetarian Meat At Home (Watch Video):

You can make different kinds of dishes using this form of vegetarian meat. You can use it just like you would use chicken or mutton. For example, here's a recipe of vegetarian meat curry you can prepare at home:

How to Make Vegetarian Meat Curry At Home (Watch Video):

Seiten is an extremely delicious and vegetarian alternative to meat, however, people with gluten intolerance/allergy/sensitivity must avoid it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 01, 2019 08:00 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).