Ham it up!

How, how I love thee. You might be smoked butt muscle but you're really good. In a quest to re-create ham I refused to settle for something that doesn't hit the same smokey, savory, and complex notes and I honestly think I knocked the flavor on this one out of the park.

Ingredients:

- 1 cup vital wheat gluten

- 1/4 cup chickpea flour

- 1 Tbs tomato paste

- 2 Tbs sweet BBQ sauce

- 1 Tbs tomato butter (similar to apple butter)

- 1/2 Tbs better than bullion vegetable base

- 1 tsp smoked paprika

- 1 tsp liquid smoke

- 1 tsp sage

- 1 tsp rosemary

- 2 tsp fennel seeds

- 2 Tbs soy sauce

- 1 cup water

Instructions:

Step 1: Mix wheat gluten and chickpea flower in a bowl.

Step 2: Put everything else in a blender and blend for at least 30 seconds. I waited to hear the fennel seeds get all chopped up.

Step 3: Pour liquid mixture into dry ingredients and stir. This blended SURPRISINGLY well. It turned into a beautiful seitan ball almost immediately.

Step 4: Break into two ham loafs and wrap loosely in tinfoil.

Step 5: Steam for 50 minutes. I tried to bake one for the last 20 minutes to see if the texture would turn out different and I think the steamed was better.

Step 6: Let cool, slice and enjoy.

Nutrition; Recipe makes 6 servings; serving size 3 oz; Calories 114; Fat 0.6 g; Fiber 1.2 g; Protein 16.4 g; Carbohydrates 9.2 g

I also made a pineapple glaze that goes along with it that was super simple.

Ingredients for pineapple glaze:

- 6 oz pineapple juice

- 2 Tbs soy sauce

- 2 Tbs brown sugar

- 1 tsp grated fresh ginger

Instructions

Step 1: Put all ingredients into a pan on medium high and let simmer until reduced whisking frequently.

Nutrition information: Recipe makes 3 servings, serving size 1 Tbs; Calories 84; Fat 0 g; Fiber 0 g; Protein 0.3 g; Carbohydrates 20.2 g

Both of these did a great job replicating the smokey, savory taste of ham. When I got to heat it up later I think I will try browning it in a pan to get that additional charing and toughness as it is slightly softer than regular ham. I can't wait to put this in sandwiches or just eat with broccoli for dinner!

Enjoy!