Check out this Brazilian vegetarian feijoada with seitan recipe
Feijoada, a Brazilian stew, traditionally features meaty ingredients. This vegetarian version uses seitan as a meat substitute, maintaining its rich flavors without meat or eggs. Originating from Portugal and adapted by Brazilians, feijoada is a national dish enjoyed during festive times. This tutorial will guide you in making a savory vegetarian feijoada that rivals the traditional version. Let's start cooking.
Gather the following ingredients
For this dish, you need two cups of soaked black beans, one large chopped onion, two minced garlic cloves, two bay leaves, one teaspoon each of ground coriander and smoked paprika, half a teaspoon of optional cayenne pepper for heat, 200 grams of bite-sized seitan pieces, two diced large tomatoes, one diced red bell pepper, and salt and pepper to taste. Garnish with fresh cilantro.
Preparing the beans
Rinse the soaked black beans under cold water. In a large pot, cover the beans with fresh water, about three inches above them. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer, adding bay leaves for flavor. Let it simmer for about an hour or until the beans are tender but not mushy, checking occasionally to see if more water is needed.
Cooking the vegetables and seitan
While beans simmer, heat oil in a pan on medium. Saute onions until translucent, then add garlic, cooking until aromatic but not burnt. Introduce diced tomatoes and red bell peppers, seasoning with ground coriander, smoked paprika, and optional cayenne pepper. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. This process should ensure the vegetables are well-seasoned without altering the original recipe's intent or flavor profile.
Combining ingredients
Once the vegetables have slightly softened, which should take around five minutes, it's time to add the seitan to the mix. Stir well to ensure that the seitan pieces are evenly coated with the spices. Continue to cook this mixture over medium heat for another 10 minutes, allowing the flavors from the spices to blend well into the seitan, enriching its taste and aroma.
Finalizing DISH
After the beans and seitan-vegetable mix are cooked, combine them in the pot. Gently stir, avoiding breaking the beans. Let it simmer on low heat for 30 minutes for flavors to blend. Adjust seasoning if needed. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, alongside rice or bread for a nutritious, satisfying meal that's vegetarian and eggless, without compromising flavor.
