Beef-Style Stew with Gremolata

Serves 4

www.ZsusVeganPantry.com

8 seitan cutlets (about 1 pound)*

2 tablespoons neutral oil, divided

1 teaspoon dried thyme

Sea salt and fresh ground black pepper

1 teaspoon paprika

¼ teaspoon ground allspice (use only if your spice is fresh)

2 pinches ground cloves

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seed oil

1 large onion, chopped

8 garlic cloves, minced

2 celery ribs, chopped

2 tablespoons all-purpose unbleached flour

½ cup red wine

2 teaspoons instant coffee granules mixed with ¼ cup hot water

4 cups vegetable broth

2 bay leaves

1 pound potatoes, chopped

½ pound carrots, chopped

2 tablespoons tamari

½ cup peas

Gremolata, optional (recipe below)

1. Toss the seitan with 1 tablespoon oil, coating each side with the oil. Combine the thyme, 1 teaspoon salt, paprika, ¼ teaspoon black pepper, allspice and cloves in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the oiled seitan, coating each cutlet well. Heat a large grill pan over medium heat, Cook the seitan cutlets until grill-marks appear, about 4 minutes per side. Cool the seitan slightly and coarsely chop. Set aside.

2. Heat 1 tablespoon oil and the sesame oil in a large pot over medium heat. Stir in the onion and cook until the onion is golden brown, about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the garlic and celery and cook for 1 minute. Stir in the flour and cook for 3 minutes. Stir in the wine, scraping the bottom of the pan and cook until the wine evaporates, about 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the coffee mixture, broth, bay leaves, potatoes, carrots and tamari. Add the grilled seitan. Bring the stew to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer the stew until the vegetables are tender, about 35 minutes.

4. Stir in the peas and cook to heat them through, about 1 minute. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and black pepper. Remove and discard the bay leaves. Serve the stew sprinkled with the gremolata, if using.

Gremolata:

¼ cup finely minced parsley leaves

4 garlic cloves, minced

2 teaspoons lemon zest

Stir together the parsley garlic and zest in a small bowl.

* Use Beyond Meat strips or vegan sausage instead of the seitan or omit the seitan and add another pound of vegetables.