Thai Peanut Seitan with Broccoli and Pineapple

Let's just get this out of the way. The cubed seitan I bought looks like dog food. Kay? Moving on. I'd never worked with it before, and it tastes like tofu after it's cooked. Not so scary. Plus, every time I've seen it spelled phonetically it's say-tan, which is too funny because I love saying I just ate Satan with broccoli. I'm very easy to please. (The taste of say-tan compels you!) If it's s-eye-tan, I don't want to know.

Aside from my adventures in fake meat, I almost made it without because there's broccoli! and pineapple! in thai peanut sauce! I was excited from the get-go. This recipe is great because it's just as easy and flexible as a stir fry for when you're sick of stir-frys and can't eat another one. You probably have the basics on hand and you can sub in any vegetable or meat combo you'd like to good results. It's a winner. Unfortunately, I didn't get to take any pictures because it went fast. I guess that's a good sign.

You may think the cookbook is familiar. There was another one I checked out ages ago that was the Go Vegetarian sister book. Both are excellent, though I think I'm a bit more partial to the vegetarian cookbook.

Seitan Saute with Pineapple
from Student's Go Vegan Cookbook

2 tsp oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
2 minced garlic cloves
1 tsp garam masala
1/2 c chopped red bell pepper (used green with good results)
2 1/2 c bite-sized broccoli florets
4 oz finely chopped seitan (compels you!)
10 oz can crushed pineapple, unsweetened
1 T peanut butter
1/4 c light coconut milk
salt and pepper
roasted peanuts, garnish
chopped cilantro, garnish

Saute onion in the oil over medium heat for 3-5 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and garam masala and saute another minute, stirring constantly.

Stir in bell pepper, broccoli, and seitan!, and cook for 1-2 minutes. Add pineapple, peanut butter, and coconut milk. Simmer over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, or until vegetables are tender crisp and sauce begins to thicken slightly.

Add salt and pepper to taste and garnish if you like. As a side note, the sauce is beige. Satan! is beige. The pineapple and onions look beigey. Your broccoli will be your only stand-out if you use green pepper. I'm not one to turn my nose up at ugly food, you know me, but a dash of red bell pepper is nice here. Just fyi.