Baked Seitan Balls ( a Veggie Lean Protein ) in Coconut Gravy
We are immigrants to the U.S.A , like many of you reading the post probably are. The first thing when you step in to any Federal office ,
you're asked for your 'ALIEN' number. The first day of your new job - 'ALIEN' number.
Need something on Credit - 'ALIEN' number.
But honestly, I did not feel 'alienated' by any of that.
But everytime I step in to one of the restaurants here and try explaining them that I am a 'Vegetarian', which means its NO MEAT, NO CHICKEN, NO BEEF,
NO BACON and also a 'NO' to the take-for-granted 'BROTH' - I certainly feel am an 'ALIEN' in this Western world.
'Vegetarianism' or 'Vegan' is more considered a 'Phase' that teenage girls go through. Talk food and you're always bumped with the question 'Where do you get your Proteins from ?'
Not to mention the Parenting classes on nutrition from your Vegetarian friends who feed Chicken to their kids, because they dont want to malnourish their kid like you do.
That did make me feel a little guilty, and I tried researching on anything that is Vegetarian and has some Protein in it.
Most Vegetarian Protein seekers agree that the top contenders for high protein veg ingredient is Tofu, Tempeh and Seitan. Given the mixed opinion about including a
lot of soy products in your diet, 'Seitan' or Wheat Gluten - is a perfect candidate if you are a weight-watcher and protein-seeker ;)
So, I tried my hand at a rather interesting recipe with Seitan - and here is what it turned out to be - Baked Seitan balls in coconut gravy.
For kids - Just serve the Seitan balls with a hint of butter on it like a snack.
This will serve as a wonderful side dish for Chapathis and other breads.
Total Cooking Time : 1 hour 10 minutes.
Active Time : 20 minutes
Inactive Time : 40 minutes
Ingredients :
For the Seitan Balls :
Wheat Gluten or Seitan - 1 8 oz. packet. (I used pre-cooked and plain)
Ricotta Cheese - 8 oz. (You could substitute it with Cottage Cheese)
Whole wheat Bread Crumbs - 1 Cup.
Ginger Garlic paste - 1 Tbsp.
Onion - 1 small (Finely chopped)
Basil leaves (dried) - 1 Tbsp.
Dried Parsley - 1 Tbsp.
Salt - to taste
Cumin powder - 1 and 1/2 Tbsp.
Chilli powder - 3/4 Tbsp (alter it to your spice levels)
Cinnamon Powder - 1 Tbsp.
Olive oil - 1 Tbsp. + For brushing the balls.
For the Gravy :
Onion - 1 small
Ginger garlic paste - 1 Tbsp. (chopped)
Tomato - 1 Medium sized (chopped)
salt - 1 Tbsp.
Chilli powder - 3/4 Tbsp.
Turmeric powder - 1/2 Tbsp.
Coriander powder - 1 n 1/2 Tbsp.
Coconut Milk - 1 Cup (I used light Coconut Milk)
Water - 1/4 Cup
Coriander leaves - for Garnishing
Method :
Rinse the Seitan and squeeze all the water out. Add it to a Food Processor / Mixer and pulse it till the chunks become a coarse mixture.
Mix this with all the other ingrediants mentioned above for the balls till it comes together as a firm dough.
Pre-heat your oven to 375 deg F . Roll the dough in to small balls of the desired size (ideal would be the size of a meat ball).
Brush a tray with oil and place the balls on it gently.Once the oven is pre-heated, let the balls bake in the oven for 20 mts. Flip the balls over
at this point and let it bake for twenty more minutes till it turns nice golden brown in colour.
Seitan balls are ready. This now can be used for a number of dishes. Serve this with a drop of molten butter on top for the kids as a high protein snack.
You could place them in your wrap with any dressing or sauce and veggies for a high protein wrap.
Make your own sub by placing these balls on a bread and thrown in all your veggies, and your high protein Sub is up for Grabs !
I chose to make an Indian style-gravy though.
So for the gravy :
Heat a pan, add little oil. When the oil is heated up, add the fennel seeds. When the fennel seeds turn golden brown, add the ginger garlic paste, and cook for two minutes.
Add the onions to it and cook it till it turns slight brown in colour add the chopped tomatoes to it, after the tomatoes are cooked add the salt and spice powders,
once the oil separates add little water, reduce the flame and add the coconut milk. After two minutes , add the seitan balls and simmer for an additional two
minutes. Turn off the stove and garnish it with Coriander.
This can be served with Roti/ chapathi / Naan / any other bread.
