Vegetarian Barbecue Sandwiches(Slow Cooker)

This gluten recipe is very versatile, so you can swap different oils and different herbs, such as oregano or basil. For thicker gluten, try adding a teaspoon of tahini. You can also use different chili pastes for the barbecue sauce or simply leave out the chili paste entirely. Adapted from Jason Wyrick, courtesy of GoVeg!

• Ready In: 2 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• For the Ancho Chile Paste

• 2  dried ancho chiles (if you can't find use chipotle peppers in sauce)
• 1⁄2 cup water

• For the Barbecue Sauce

• 1⁄2 cup  chopped onion
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  minced garlic
• 1⁄4 cup  ancho  chili paste
• 1  teaspoon  corn oil
• 1 1⁄2 cups tomato sauce
• 1⁄4 cup water
• 1⁄4 cup honey
• 1  tablespoon dark molasses
• 1⁄4 cup prepared mustard
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon allspice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  chopped fresh parsley
• 1⁄2 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1  tablespoon lemon juice
• 1⁄2 teaspoon liquid smoke

• For the Wheat Gluten

• 1  cup wheat gluten
• 1⁄8 cup wheat gluten
• 1  teaspoon  minced garlic
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1  teaspoon basil
• 3⁄4 cup vegetable broth (or water)
• 1⁄4 cup soy sauce
• 2  teaspoons  sesame oil
• 1⁄4 teaspoon liquid smoke

Directions

1. For the Ancho Paste:
2. Place the chilies in a small pot and cover with water.
3. Cook over medium-low heat until soft, about 15 minutes.
4. Blend with the water to make this delicious, dark paste. If using chipotle peppers in sauce, blend in food proccesor and add water if needed to make a paste.
5. For the Barbecue Sauce:
6. Sauté the onion until brown, 5-7 minutes, then add the garlic and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
7. Deglaze the pan and place all the ingredients in a slow cooker. Stir, then blend with a hand-held blender. (If you don�t have a hand-held blender, combine the ingredients in a regular blender before placing them in the slow cooker.).
8. Cook at the medium-heat setting for at least 1 hour. The sauce is best, however, when slow-cooked at the low-heat setting for 8 hours�the longer the shredded gluten cooks with the barbecue sauce, the better. Stir occasionally.
9. For the Wheat Gluten:
10. In a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients and knead until most of the liquid is absorbed. (I like to keep a little extra wheat gluten on the side to absorb any excess liquid.).
11. Place in an oiled baking dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F Remove from the oven and cool.
12. Cube, then place in a blender and pulse to shred. (Don�t worry about making this perfect. Just worry about overusing the blender because that will create wheat-gluten mush.).
13. Combine with the Barbecue Sauce. Cook in a slow cooker set at medium heat for at least 1 hour.
14. To Serve:
15. Place on your favorite sandwich buns (big, toasted buns with poppy seeds look great), or serve alone.
16. Makes 4 servings.