Sweet Caribbean Seitan

For comments, Qs, or stories, email me at LunchLadyCynthia@gmail.com...I would LOVE to hear from you!

We finally have some sun and warmth here in PA and it feels amazing after the winter of hibernation that we have had.  As spring and summer are fast approaching, I have been inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean.  Isn't it amazing what a little sunshine can inspire in us?  Happy thoughts of days at the beach, laughing with friends and family, bikes rides on trails or the boardwalk, and just enjoying life.

My latest trip to Jamaica as well as the recent dose of rays that we have had in PA brought back thoughts of delicious, fresh Caribbean food.  With that, try my Sweet Caribbean Seitan that is packed with protein, fiber, and other wonderful nutrients...you won't believe how eating well can be so healthy....

Sweet Caribbean Seitan

• 4-5 strips of seitan, cut and sliced (whole foods has some great versions of seitan: http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/)
• 1/2 cup cubed mango (you can get this frozen in your freezer aisle, which is what I do to make life a little easier!)
• 1/4 cup black beans
• 1/4 cup brown rice, cooked
• 1/4 avocado, sliced
• 4 spring cilantro, chopped
• 1 slice red onion, chopped
• 1 cup spinach
• ~ 1t jerk seasoning
• ~3 T BBQ sauce (your choice! try for low sugar, low calorie)
• 2 T olive oil

1. Prepare brown rice as described.

2. While rice is cooking or after it is done cooking, put olive oil in pan on high heat and add seitan immediately.  Add jerk seasoning and allow to cook.  When seitan begins to sizzle, add the spinach and cook until spinach is of desired consistency.  You may add more jerk seasoning to the spinach while it is cooking to intensify the flavor. Set aside and let cool for a bit.

3. In bowl, combine beans, cooked rice, avocado, mango, cilantro, red onion.  Add the BBQ sauce and mix.

4. Add seitan-spinach mix to the above and mix some more.  Eat and enjoy!

Health benefits:

• seitan - a very lean, healthy, non-meat protein product (aka, wheat meat) that is high in protein and fiber and has a great meaty texture to satisfy the meat-atarians in your life
• spinach - you know the drill...
• mango - high in fiber, Vit A and C, potassium all of which have been linked to fat burning...now who wouldn't want that
• black beans - high in fiber and protein which can help you maintain a healthy weight and burn calories to lose weight
• avocado - a MUFA (monounsaturated fatty acid) which can help keep you satisfied as well as burn belly fat
• cilantro - linked to easing digestion as well as various other health benefits
• onion - contains quercetin which helps cells repair themselves from damage and can help with exercise endurance/performance