The fluffy tiny steamed buns known as bao can be filled with savoury treats. Bao has a very fascinating quality. At our house, these Simple Vegan Hoisin Seitan Ch’kn Bao are a complete family fave for a midweek meal!
Ingredients
For the Seitan Ch’kn
- 1 cup vital wheat gluten
- 1/4 cup chickpea flour (besan)
- 1/4 cup nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 cup vegetable broth
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp liquid smoke (optional)
For the Hoisin Sauce
- 1/4 cup hoisin sauce
- 2 tbsp soy sauce or tamari
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp maple syrup or agave nectar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp sriracha sauce (adjust to taste)
For garnish
- Sliced cucumbers
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Sliced green onions
Instructions
Prepare the Seitan Ch’kn
- In a mixing bowl, combine the vital wheat gluten, chickpea flour, nutritional yeast, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the vegetable broth, soy sauce, olive oil, and liquid smoke (if using).
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to form a dough.
- Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes elastic.
- Divide the dough into small pieces and shape them into thin cutlets.
- Steam the cutlets for about 30 minutes until firm and cooked through. Allow them to cool.
Make the Hoisin Sauce
In a small bowl, whisk together the hoisin sauce, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, minced garlic, grated ginger, and sriracha sauce. Adjust the sweetness and spiciness to your liking.
Assemble the Bao
- Heat the bao buns according to the package instructions or your homemade recipe.
- Slice the steamed seitan ch’kn cutlets into thin strips.
- Open each bao bun and spread a little hoisin sauce inside.
- Add the seitan ch’kn slices, sliced cucumbers, fresh cilantro leaves, and sliced green onions.
Serve
Serve your Vegan Hoisin Seitan Ch’kn Bao immediately and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
- Calories: 250
- Protein: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Dietary Fiber: 2g
- Sugars: 7g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
- Sodium: 900mg