This recipe is courtesy of the show "Tasty and Meatless" seen on OC 16. Visit the show's website at their official Web site.

The meatless pepper steak was purchased at C & C Vegetarian Foods in Kaimuki- 1123 Kapahulu, phone 735-9919.

Ingredients:

1/2 Cup Safflower Oil

3 Cups Sweet Onion (thin slices)

1 tsp. (heaping) Sage

1 TBsp. Fresh Thyme Leaf (or 2 Tbsp. dried)

1/4 Cup Unbleached White Flour

1 Tbsp. Corn Starch

1 Tbsp. Lemon Juice

2 tsp. Mock Beef Broth

1 tsp. Salt

3 Cups warm Filtered Water (or more if needed)

Instructions:

1. Set a fry pan over medium heat and add the safflower oil (you can use 1/4 cup oil if you want the gravy to be less oily). When heated, add the onions and saute until they begin to appear translucent, about three to four minutes.
2. While the onions are cooking mix the mock beef broth into the 3 cups of water and set aside.
3. Add the sage and thyme to the sautéed onions and mix well. Add the flour and cornstarch. Mix this flour, onion, and oil mixture, also called a roux, continuously until the flour begins to brown. Once the flour is a light brown color, which should take approximately 5-6 minutes, slowly pour in the mock beef broth and water, mixing it into the roux using a whisk.
4. Add the lemon juice and salt. Stir for about 2 minutes or until it reaches the desired thickness. If it is too thick add a little water and if it is too thin add a little cornstarch. It is important to note that cornstarch thickens at boiling point, so the gravy will not reach its full thickness until the mix reaches a near boil.

Meatless Pepper Steak

1 package Meatless Pepper Steak

1 Tbsp. Safflower Oil

1 Cup Sliced Button Mushrooms

Fresh Ground Black Pepper, to taste

The Meatless Pepper Steaks are already flavored. They simply need to be heated and served. However, if desired, you can fry them with mushrooms to add more taste. Place a skillet over medium-high heat, add the oil and the mushrooms and sauté. Cook the mushrooms for approximately 3 minutes. Add the Meatless Pepper Steaks. Mix and sauté for another 4-5 minutes. Add the black pepper, cover, and remove from heat.