Radical Reuben

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This recipe was a winner in our 2008 Restaurant Poll, and is a popular sandwich at Chicago Diner in Chicago, Illinois. We were impressed by its innovative use of beet and pickle juices to turn seitan into a tangy substitute for corned beef. Can't find beet juice? Puree a 15-ounce can of beets and use it for the marinade.

  • 4

Ingredients

  • 1 pound seitan, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup pickle juice
  • 1/2 cup beet juice or beet borscht
  • 1 teaspoon pickling spice
  • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1/4 cup soy mayonnaise
  • 3 tablespoons ketchup
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped pickles
  • 8 slices rye bread
  • 4 slices Swiss or soy cheese
  • Sauerkraut, for garnish

Preparation

Step 1

To make Seitan: Place seitan in baking dish. Bring pickle juice, beet juice, pickling spice, garlic powder, pepper, and 1 cup water to a boil in saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, and simmer 15 minutes. Strain marinade, and pour over sliced seitan. Cover and cool. Chill overnight.

To make Reuben Sauce: Combine all ingredients in bowl.

To make Sandwiches: Preheat oven to broil. Set bread slices on baking sheet. Top 4 bread slices with drained Seitan and cheese. Broil 5 to 7 minutes, or until Seitan is hot and cheese is melted. Transfer Seitan-topped bread slices to serving plates, and garnish with sauerkraut. Spread remaining 4 bread slices with Reuben Sauce, and place on top of Sandwiches.