Vegan Chicken Seitan w Jackfruit and Tofu
Makes 2 x 14 oz chunks
9 ounces (250g) firm tofu
1 20-ounce can young green jackfruit
2/3 cup (157ml) water
2 tbsp (30ml) oil
3/4 tsp salt
3/4 tsp onion powder
1 and 1/4 cup (140g) vital wheat gluten
2 tbsp (16g) all-purpose flour
Drain and rinse the tofu, and add it to a high-speed blender. Drain and rinse the young jackfruit, remove the hardcore parts and discard. Add the jackfruit to the blender.
Add the water, oil, salt, and onion powder to the blender and blend on high speed for about 30 seconds, or until very smooth.
Transfer the wet mixture to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the flat beater/paddle. Add the vital wheat gluten and all-purpose flour. Knead on speed 2 for about 5 minutes.
Once it’s starting to look like a dough, replace the flat beater with the dough hook and keep kneading on speed 2 for at least 20 minutes. This may seem like a long time but it’s essential to get a very fibrous texture. Make sure you stay near the stand mixer as it will probably move. The dough will be soft and slightly sticky, this is normal.
Once the dough has a fibrous texture, divide it into two balls.
Shape the balls into a roll and wrap tightly in aluminum foil. Wrap in a second layer of foil.
Fill a pressure cooker (or Instant Pot) with cold water to the 2/3 (about 3 liters). Place the seitan rolls in the pressure cooker.
If using a pressure cooker: heat over medium heat, once it is under pressure, cook for 30 minutes. If using an Instant Pot: set to Manual Pressure Cook and set the time to 30 minutes.
After 30 minutes, release the pressure. Carefully remove the seitan rolls from the cooker and let them cool completely.
Once cold, remove the rolls from the aluminum foil, transfer to a plate and cover with plastic film. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
Next, using your hands, shred/pull the seitan chicken into bite-size pieces (or larger pieces!). You can now use it in any recipe! I recommend preparing a marinade before stir-frying or baking to add more flavor.
Chick’n will keep in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.