what is seitan made of

Seitan is a plant-based meat substitute made from wheat gluten that mimics the flavor and texture of chicken. It is also known as "wheat meat" or "vital wheat gluten". Seitan is made by isolating the protein, or vital wheat gluten, in wheat dough. The dough is repeatedly washed and kneaded, which removes the starch and develops the gluten. The more the dough is kneaded, the more gluten thats developed. Once the dough is rinsed and all the starch washed away, the chewy, elastic result that remains is what we know as seitan. Seitan technically only requires two ingredients: gluten and water. It can be flavored, cooked, and used in a number of dishes. Seitan is a healthy food that is packed with protein and minerals. It is easy to buy premade in most grocery stores today, and its generally found near the tofu and other plant-based meat alternatives. Seitan can also be made at home using just a few ingredients.