vegan steak by bish, bash, bosh

  • 1 1/2 c. vital wheat gluten
  • 2/3 c. pre-cooked puy lentils
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 2 tbsp tomato purée
  • 1 tbsp garlic powder
  • 1 tbsp chilli powder
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1⁄2 tsp smoked salt
  • 1⁄2 tsp black pepper
  • 90ml water
  • a splash of oil
  • 150g chips per person, to serve

FOR THE MARINADE

  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

CAFÉ DE PARIS SECRET SAUCE

  • 2 large shallots
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 20g fresh tarragon
  • 1 tsp capers
  • 11⁄2 tbsp olive oil
  • 500ml vegetable stock
  • 60ml white wine
  • 3 tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp soy sauce
  • 1 tsp black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt

METHOD

  1. 1.STEAK METHOD 
     Food processor | Clean work surface | Large saucepan of salted water on a high heat | Large freezer bag | Sauté pan 
     First make the steak | Add all the ingredients, apart from the water and oil, to the food processor and pulse to combine | Add the water and blitz, scraping down the sides as needed | Tip the mixture on to a clean work surface, knead for a minute or two then bring it together into a tight ball
     Roll the mixture into a rough oblong shape and cut into 4 even slices | Flatten each slice with your hand so they’re roughly 1cm thick and steak- shaped (you can also use a rolling pin here) | For a dryer texture press the steak as you would tofu – wrapping it in kitchen paper and placing a weight on top of it for 20 minutes, which will give a firmer texture
     Lower the steaks into the pan of boiling salted water and simmer for 25 minutes | Take the steaks out of the pan, drain and leave to cool for 5 minutes
     Put the ingredients for the marinade into a large freezer bag | Put the steaks in the bag and roll them around in the marinade so they are well coated | Leave to marinate for 20 minutes | While the steaks are marinating, make the Café de Paris Secret Sauce (see opposite)
     
     When you’re ready to cook the steaks place a sauté pan over a medium-high heat | Add a splash of oil and let it get hot | Add the steaks and pour over any remaining marinade | Cook for 2–3 minutes on each side, basting the steaks with the oil in the pan as they cook | Remove when both sides are well browned, but the steak is still tender | Leave to rest for a couple of minutes before serving with chips and Secret Sauce poured over in true Café de Paris style
  2. 2.CAFÉ DE PARIS SECRET SAUCE METHOD 
     Saucepan | Liquidiser Prep the ingredients | Peel and thinly slice the shallots | Peel and finely 
     chop the garlic | Pick the tarragon leaves, discard the stems, then finely chop | Finely chop the capers 
     Put the saucepan over a medium heat | Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil| Add the garlic and shallots and cook for 4–5 minutes until soft, stirring occasionally | Add the vegetable stock and simmer for 3–4 minutes | Add all the remaining ingredients and bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 minutes until the sauce has reduced a little and become thicker
     Take the pan off the heat and set aside to cool to room temperature 
     
     Pour the sauce into the liquidiser and blend until smooth | Pour back into the pan and bring to a simmer | Stir through the remaining 1⁄2 tablespoon olive oil before serving