Seitan Fajitas with Cilantro Rice and Pea Guacamole

Mostly, the beginning of this year I have primarily eaten a vegan diet. I really enjoy eating vegan food and, the additional challenges with creating new recipes. I am surprised by how much my husband enjoys the food too. He is willing to try much more than I thought. In which, make makes me very happy because I can have him try all my new creations.

For people who do not know, seitan is wheat protein. You can buy it in the produce section or vegetarian/vegan section as most grocery stores. It is a bit odd looking and, I can totally understand if someone thinks it does not look appetizing. Though, it is great source of protein. Also, it really takes on the flavor of whatever you are making.

Other day, I was wanting to make something spicy with a bit of a Hispanic flavor. I thought this recipe turned out great. Plus, the sides turned out awesome. The pea guacamole was so much better than I thought it would be. I based it on a recipe I read about in a vegetarian cookbook. This is very low in calories and great way to eliminate the fat typically in guacamole from avocados.

Ingredients for Seitan Fajitas:

• 1 package of seitan 
• half of a medium onion
• 1 bell pepper- any color
• 5 tsps  of taco seasoning
• 1/2 tsp of garlic powder 
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
• 1/2 lime 
• 1/2 cup of chopped cilantro
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• salt and pepper to taste

Procedure                                                                                          


First, slice up the onions, seitan, and bell pepper. Then, chop up the cilantro and garlic.

Next, marinade the seitian in half a lime, olive oil, and 2 tsps of taco seasoning. Add salt and to taste. Allow to marinade for 10 minutes.

Heat up a large stir-fry pan with olive oil on a medium high heat. Toss in the cilantro and garlic. Allow these ingredients to sizzle in the oil for a few minutes.  Add the chopped onion and bell pepper. Cook these ingredients for about 7 to 10 minutes to allow for the onions and peppers to caramelize. Reduce the heat to a medium. Add the seitan to saute along with 3 tsps of taco seasoning, cayenne pepper, and garlic powder. Also, add salt and pepper to taste. Allow to cook for another 5 minutes. Be sure to occasionally stir to keep the ingredients from sticking.


Pea Guacamole

Easy and quick recipe. All you need is the following:

• Two cups of frozen peas
• 1/8 of cup of fresh cilantro
• 2 tbsps of chopped onions- white or yellow
• salt 
• pepper
• lime 

Procedure

First, cook peas according to the directions on the product bag. Allow to cook for about 10 minutes.

Next, add peas to a bowl and begin to smash to make a paste-like consistency. Add cilantro and onion to the pea smash. Then, add salt and pepper to taste.

Place the pea guacamole in the fridge to chill for at least 30 minutes. Best to make this prior to the fajitas.
    

ENJOY!!

The fajitas are best served warm with the pea guacamole at room temperate and the cilantro rice warm. :)