Tropical Sweet and Sour Seitan Stir-Fry
Experience a burst of flavors with this delightful Tropical Sweet and Sour Seitan Stir-Fry. Inspired by the cherished tastes of my favorite vegan dish from a Chinese restaurant in New York, this recipe combines the crunch of fresh bell peppers, the sweetness of pineapple, and the savory goodness of seitan. Each bite offers a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and umami flavors, all brought together with a luscious sauce. Serve this colorful dish over fluffy brown rice for a wholesome meal that’s perfect for sharing with family and friends.
N/A
Servings
400
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
onion
1 (cut into 8 wedges)
garlic clove
1 (minced)
gingerroot
1 teaspoon (grated)
unsweetened pineapple chunks
1 (20 ounce) can (in juice)
green bell pepper
1 (cut into 1 inch pieces)
red bell pepper
1 (cut into 1 inch pieces)
brown sugar
1/3 cup
rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup
ketchup
1/4 cup
light soy sauce
1 tablespoon
baked or fried seitan
24-36 pieces
cornstarch
2 tablespoons (dissolved in 2 tablespoons cold water)
Instructions
1
Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat and add a splash of oil.
2
Sauté the onion wedges, minced garlic, and grated ginger until the onion starts to turn translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
3
Add the pineapple chunks and their juice, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, ketchup, and soy sauce to the pan. Stir well to combine all the ingredients.
4
Increase the heat to high and bring the mixture to a boil, stirring occasionally.
5
Once boiling, add the baked or fried seitan pieces along with the dissolved cornstarch. Mix everything gently to coat the seitan in the sauce.
6
Continue cooking on high heat for about 5-7 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened and the seitan is heated through.
7
Remove from heat and serve the stir-fry over a bed of warm brown rice. Enjoy your vibrant and flavorful meal!
Nutrition Information
3.75g
Fat
82.5g
Carbs
20g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main protein source in this recipe?
The main protein source is seitan, with 24-36 pieces of baked or fried seitan used to provide 20g of protein per serving.
Is the Tropical Sweet and Sour Seitan Stir-Fry vegan?
Yes, this recipe is entirely vegan and was inspired by a favorite vegan dish from a Chinese restaurant in New York.
How many calories are in one serving?
Each serving contains approximately 400 calories.
What vegetables are needed for this stir-fry?
The recipe requires one onion, one green bell pepper, and one red bell pepper.
How should the onion be prepared?
The onion should be cut into 8 wedges before being sautéed.
What kind of pineapple is used in this dish?
The recipe calls for one 20-ounce can of unsweetened pineapple chunks in juice.
How do I prepare the bell peppers?
Both the red and green bell peppers should be cut into 1-inch pieces.
What is used to sweeten the sauce?
The sauce is sweetened using 1/3 cup of brown sugar and the juice from the canned pineapple.
What provides the 'sour' flavor in the sweet and sour sauce?
The tangy flavor comes from 1/4 cup of rice wine vinegar and 1/4 cup of ketchup.
How much ginger is required?
You will need 1 teaspoon of grated gingerroot.
How is the garlic prepared?
One garlic clove should be minced before being added to the pan.
What type of soy sauce is recommended?
The recipe specifies using 1 tablespoon of light soy sauce.
How do I thicken the stir-fry sauce?
The sauce is thickened by adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch dissolved in 2 tablespoons of cold water.
What are the initial steps of the cooking process?
First, heat a large skillet or wok and sauté the onion wedges, minced garlic, and grated ginger for 3-5 minutes.
When do I add the pineapple and peppers?
Add the pineapple chunks, juice, and bell peppers after the aromatics have become translucent.
At what temperature should the sauce be brought to a boil?
The heat should be increased to high to bring the sauce mixture to a boil.
When is the seitan added to the pan?
Add the seitan pieces along with the dissolved cornstarch once the mixture has reached a boil.
How long does the final cooking stage take?
The dish should cook on high heat for 5-7 minutes until the sauce thickens and the seitan is heated through.
What is the suggested serving method?
The stir-fry is best served over a bed of warm, fluffy brown rice.
How much fat is in this dish?
This recipe contains a low amount of fat at 3.75g per serving.
What is the total carbohydrate count?
There are 82.5g of carbohydrates in this recipe.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients in total, including seasonings and aromatics.
Can I use fresh pineapple instead of canned?
While the recipe calls for canned pineapple in juice, you could use fresh pineapple if you supplement it with pineapple juice.
Is the seitan pre-cooked?
Yes, the recipe requires seitan that has already been baked or fried before being added to the stir-fry.
What equipment is needed for this recipe?
A large skillet or a wok is recommended for cooking this stir-fry.
Does this recipe contain any cholesterol?
Since it is a plant-based vegan recipe using seitan, it naturally contains no cholesterol.
What kind of oil should I use for sautéing?
The recipe suggests a splash of oil; any neutral high-heat oil like vegetable or canola oil works well.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and features fresh vegetables and lean plant-based protein.
Can I use regular white vinegar instead of rice wine vinegar?
Rice wine vinegar is preferred for its mild flavor, but white vinegar can be used in a pinch, though it may be sharper.
What is the texture of the finished dish?
The dish features crunchy bell peppers and a luscious, thickened sweet and sour sauce coating the savory seitan.