Seitan Tips and Gravy over Rice

What does comfort food mean to you?

For me, the other night it involved gravy. I also wanted a little taste of my Southern childhood so Seitan Tips and Gravy was born. I don’t think there is a single person from the South that didn’t have Beef Tips and Gravy as a child. I’ve never made the original dish and I’ve certainly never made my own gravy so this was interesting. I knew what I wanted it to taste like which was a starting point.

Makes 4 generous servings

Ingredients:

• cooked brown rice, enough for 4 servings
• 8 ounces plain seitan, homemade or store-bought
• 1 medium to large onion
• 1 medium to large zucchini
• 1 medium bell pepper, any color will do
• 4 ounces mushroom
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1-1/2 tablespoon steak seasoning (I used Penzey’s Northwoods seasoning)
• 1-1/2 cups vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons Earth Balance butter
• 1/4 cup flour (I used White Whole Wheat flour)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon rosemary
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme

Directions:

1. Cut seitan, onion, zucchini, pepper, and mushroom into bite-sized chunks.
2. Heat oil in large skillet on medium heat.
3. Add seitan and all veggies. Cook for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.
4. Add steak seasoning and stir to mix. Cook for an additional 7 minutes.
5. Remove seitan mixture from skillet and keep warm.
6. Combine butter, broth, and seasonings in skillet. Cook for about 10 minutes making sure to scrape the bottom to loosen up the bits from cooking the seitan mixture.
7. Lower heat. Using a whisk gradually add in flour until thoroughly combined.
8. Cook for an additional few minutes. Raw flour is no bueno.
9. To serve, scoop seitan mixture on a bed of rice and top with gravy.

Tell me what your ultimate comfort food is.