This has been a long term experiment that started back sometime in June. Although the 
Sauerbraten in June was good, it wasn’t great, and I went back to the drawing board. Several of the attempts were positively awful, but at last, this week, I had a batch I was fairly happy with and I ran it past my quality control friends (thanks, Meg & Rachel), who also seemed to approve.
The earliest ve3rsions of this recipe were appropriated from the Post-Punk Kitchen (http://www.theppk.com/2009/11/homemade-seitan/), which also has a new cookbook out. It took some tweaking to make it my own.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup wheat gluten (available in boxes, but try to get it bulk; it’s cheaper)
- 3 Tbsps. nutritional (brewers) yeast
- 1/2 cup cold vegetable broth (or fake chicken broth or fake beef broth)
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic
For the simmering broth:
4 cups vegetable broth
4 cups water
1/4 cup soy sauce
Fill a stock pot with the water, broth and soy sauce, cover and bring to a boil.
In the mean time, in a large bowl mix together gluten and yeast. In a smaller bowl mix together broth, soy sauce, lemon juice, olive oil and garlic. Pour the wet into the dry and combine with a wooden spoon until most of the moisture has absorbed and partially clumped up with the dry ingredients. Use your hands and knead for about 3 minutes, until it’s an elastic dough. Divide into 3 equal pieces with a knife and then knead those pieces in your hand just to stretch them out a bit. Let rest until the broth has come to a full boil.
Once boiling, lower the heat to a simmer. Add the gluten pieces and partially cover pot so that steam can escape. Let simmer for 45 minutes, turning occasionally. Turn the heat off and take the lid off, let sit for 15 minutes.
Remove from broth and place in a strainer until it is cool enough to handle. Wrap it in a clean cloth (it will get stained) and wring out as much of the excess moisture as you can.
Store in refrigerator until needed.
Slice and use as desired.
I will never forget that Reuben, it was the beyond Iveven eaten. The seitan was so good. There’s a lot of meat alternatives out there and most are pretty good but what I’m looking for in an alternative is actually not the taste as much as the consistency. Tofu, even extra firm is ok in stir fry but not firm enough for a sandwich. Soy based chicken alternatives like chick’n, Gardein, and Morningstar Farms is often too chewy. Again, it’s fine in recipes like casseroles or stir fry but not for a sandwich and sometimes I just want a sandwich. The seitan in the Reuben that you made was crusty on the outside and perfectly firm without being chewy on the inside. You can tell how much I liked it because that’s been awhile and I still remember exactly what it was like. I don’t remember what I did yesterday, but I remember that Reuben.
Wish there was an edit button on this thing because I’m not sure how “best I’ve ever eaten” ended up as ” beyond Iveven”?
Not related to your post but I was recently at Saint Leo University in Key West, FL and they are looking for an Adjunct Philosophy Instructor. (posting date was 1/11/16) Pretty far to commute though!
Probably should mind my own business but also happened upon this one…. Job #2016-2: Merrimack College (MA)
Merrimack College (MA) has advertised the following job search:
Rank:
Assistant Professor
AOS:
Biomedical Ethics
AOC:
Applied Ethics, Political Philosophy, and/or Philosophy of Science
Number of Openings:
1
Apply by:
5 Feb 2016
For further information, see the details below or visit https://www.merrimack.edu/about/offices_services/human_resources/employment_oppo….
Details:
Position Overview: Merrimack College invites applications for a tenure track position as an Assistant Professor in Philosophy beginning fall 2016.
AOS: Biomedical Ethics
AOC: Applied Ethics, Political Philosophy, and/or Philosophy of Science
The successful applicant will teach three courses per semester, including Biomedical Ethics and Introduction to Philosophy. The successful candidate will be able to teach graduate courses in biomedical ethics for the Master of Public Affairs program, as well as courses for the undergraduate Honors Program. Applicants should have experience teaching at the undergraduate level and have a Ph.D. by the time of appointment. Multidisciplinary and intercultural perspectives are welcome. The department is seeking candidates who will teach courses that will contribute to the College’s developing interdisciplinary programs.
Located 25 miles north of Boston, Merrimack College is a medium-sized Catholic college in the Augustinian tradition, offering courses of study in the liberal arts and professions, as well as a growing number of graduate programs. It is committed to the principles of academic freedom as articulated by the AAUP. The Philosophy Program is integrally linked to the ideals of experiential education, sustainability, and social justice as set forth in Merrimack College’s Agenda for Distinction.
Applications due by February 5, 2016.
To Apply: Please apply online with a cover letter outlining your relevant teaching and research experience, a curriculum vitae, a syllabus for biomedical ethics, and three letters of reference.
Contact Email Address: hrjobs@merrimack.edu
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.