Disguising a Meat Substitute with Vegetarian Parm Heroes
The Chopped Dinner Challenge is a series of recipes showing you how easy it is to cook like a winning Chopped competitor. Every week, FN Dish will showcase a recipe created by Food Network Kitchens that uses at least one of the Chopped basket ingredients, plus basic grocery goods and simple staples. Consider it your very own Chopped challenge. Just take this frequent tip from the judges: Don’t forget to season!
For this week's Chopped Dinner Challenge, the chefs of Food Network Kitchens chose to feature the basket ingredient seitan, a popular meat substitute. The goal of this challenge was to disguise the seitan enough so that meat eaters wouldn't even know the difference. Frying it in a cola batter and serving it with lots of tomato sauce and cheese in hero rolls seemed to do the trick. Your family does not have to be vegetarian to try these Vegetarian Parm Heroes. The flavors are classic Italian, but the preparation gives it a modern spin. Prepare these heroes for your next vegetarian night.
You'll want to start this recipe by preparing the sauce, which combines olive oil, garlic and a can of tomatoes. After about 10 minutes, the sauce should be perfectly reduced and ready for assembly later.
Next, make the cola batter by combining the flour, salt, pepper and cola in a bowl. Meanwhile heat a large skillet of vegetable oil. Cut the seitan into slices and dip each into the batter, letting the excess drip off, and fry until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Drain the fried seitan on a paper towel-lined plate.
Now you're ready to assemble. Divide the fried seitan among the four hero rolls. Top each with sauce and then with cheese. Place them all on a sheet pan and bake until the cheese melts. Sprinkle with freshly chopped oregano and you're ready to enjoy these comforting sandwiches.