Imagine a dish that transports you to the sun-drenched coastlines of the Mediterranean with just one bite - a culinary journey that combines hearty seitan, nutty bulgur, aromatic fennel, and briny olives in a single skillet. This recipe isn't just a meal; it's an adventure for your taste buds that promises to elevate your plant-based cooking from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're a seasoned vegetarian or just looking to explore exciting new flavors, this Skillet Seitan Bulgur with Fennel and Olives will become your new go-to comfort food that's both nutritious and incredibly satisfying.
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 25 mins
Total Time: 40 mins
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup bulgur
- 2 cups vegetable broth
- 1 package seitan, sliced
- 1 bulb fennel, chopped
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Rinse bulgur thoroughly under cold water using a fine-mesh strainer. Drain excess water completely.
- In a medium saucepan, bring vegetable broth to a boil. Add rinsed bulgur, reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until liquid is absorbed and bulgur is tender.
- While bulgur cooks, prepare fennel by trimming the fronds and cutting the bulb into thin, uniform slices. Slice olives into thin rounds.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once oil is shimmering, add sliced seitan and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side until edges are golden and crispy.
- Add chopped fennel to the skillet with seitan. Sauté for 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fennel becomes slightly translucent and begins to caramelize.
- Gently fold in sliced olives and cooked bulgur into the skillet. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
- Cook the combined ingredients for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing flavors to meld and ingredients to heat through completely.
- Remove from heat and let rest for 2 minutes. Serve hot, garnishing with reserved fennel fronds if desired.
Tips
- Bulgur Brilliance: Thoroughly rinse your bulgur to remove any excess starch, ensuring a fluffy and perfectly cooked grain.
- Seitan Searing Secret: Pat your seitan dry before cooking to achieve those irresistible golden, crispy edges.
- Fennel Finesse: When chopping fennel, use both the bulb and the delicate fronds - the fronds make an excellent garnish that adds a fresh, herbaceous touch.
- Flavor Layering: Allow each ingredient to caramelize slightly in the skillet to develop deep, complex flavors.
- Olive Oil Optimization: Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best taste and authentic Mediterranean character.
- Seasoning Strategy: Add salt and pepper gradually, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect balance of flavors. Pro Tip: This recipe is incredibly versatile - feel free to swap seitan with tofu or tempeh, and experiment with different olive varieties to make the dish uniquely yours!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 350kcal
Carbohydrates: 45g
Protein: 25g
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 2g
Cholesterol: 0mg
