When it comes to creating a greener future, veganism and bees go hand-in-hand. Bees are one the most important pollinators of food crops. They’re exceptionally important to a healthy environment. Studies show that eating a vegan diet contributes to a lower carbon footprint, which is a huge plus for the planet.
This Thanksgiving, we’re doing our part in the kitchen creating a wholesome and yummy vegan ham made from seitan (vital wheat flour). This recipe is brought to you by Mr. Hip and the That’s So Vegan Cooking Show. That’s So Vegan is a visual project merging creativity and education on plant-based foods and products with uplifting information on vegan lifestyles. The recipe has been adapted from SunnyHane’s Maple-Glazed Ham and Mr. Hip’s family recipe for honeybaked ham.
The best part about the Thanksgiving holiday is being able to reflect on the past year. In the midst of all the challenges presented by the pandemic, we still have a lot to be thankful for.
We hope you enjoy your time making this meal with your loved ones and take delight in the fact that you’re not only saving an animal with your meal, but you’re also cooking for a better tomorrow.
That’s So Vegan: Thankful for the Holidays
Ingredients
Seitan Ham
- 1 1/2 cups vital wheat Gluten (Bob Red Mills)
- 1/3 cup chickpea flour or cup of tofu
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (also known as nooch)
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp crushed cloves
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 2 tablespoons of vegan Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tbsp of Best Bees’ honey (maple syrup if vegan)
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 4 drops liquid smoke
- 1/2 can of ginger ale
- 1 cup veggie broth (I enjoy Better than Bouillon)
Glaze
- 4 tbsp of honey or maple syrup
- 4 tbsp liquid aminos or tamari sauce
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 4 drops liquid smoke
- 1 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 cup peach or apricot jam
Flavoring
- 1 pineapple cored or canned pineapple rings
- 2 valencia oranges sliced (we used grapefruit)
- 1/2 can of Ginger Ale
- Extra glaze of your choice (honey or maple)
Ham in progress
Recipe – Putting it all Together
adapted from SunnyHanne & Grandma
- Pre-heat the oven to 350. This is an important step because you don’t want the seitan to end up too chewy.
- Whip up all of the ingredients for the glaze. We modified the glaze from my grandmother’s honey ham recipe.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir up all of the ingredients.
- In another bowl stir together all of the wet ingredients. Make sure you’re using warm broth.
- Combine the wet and dry and knead the dough. Use your hands. Food is love and don’t be afraid to love your food. Get that gluten active. Have fun with it for about 10 minutes.
- Shape up your ham. You can do this in a variety of ways. Firm it into a log by hand. Now brush your ham with some of the glaze you set aside earlier. Be sure to wrap it in foil. Gluten will expand almost twice its size and sealing it in foil will help make the seitan texture more meaty and enjoyable to the tastebuds.
- Cook for 45 minutes in the oven on a baking sheet.
- Let cool take out of the foil. Once cooled, make diagonal cuts on your ham.
- Push cloves into the ham and brush with more glaze. Drizzle with more syrup/honey if you’re feeling lucky.
- Place back into the oven on a baking sheet with sliced oranges and pineapples. Add the remaining ginger ale. Cook for another 15 minutes uncovered or until brown on 375 Fahrenheit.
- Remove the cloves.
- Maybe drizzle more honey and enjoy with family and loved ones.
Group photo with the finished Ham
This recipe pairs well with BarBees Bartending’ Rosemary Paloma. Susan Pai, a recent webinar guest and Senior Property Manager at Cushman & Wakefield, says, “I just took a virtual cocktail class on my lunch break and had to share this recipe with you!” Not only does it look good, but this is also easy to make in cocktail or mocktail form.
Yum, honey baked ham and honey rosemary simple syrup is just too mouthwatering to pass up.
Have a great Thanksgiving and be sure to check out our Vegan Ham cooking tutorial.
