Lomo Saltado, a highly popular Peruvian dish rooted in chifa cuisine, showcases the incredible fusion of culinary traditions. Chifa cuisine was developed by Chinese-Peruvian immigrants who combined Cantonese cooking techniques and ingredients with Peruvian fare. This delightful dish epitomizes this unique blend of culinary worlds. Aji amarillo, the Peruvian chiles, and papas fritas, French fries, are prepared in the style of a Cantonese stir fry.Traditionally, Lomo Saltado features beef, but in the Delish Test Kitchen, we believe it's a fantastic opportunity to substitute seitan, tofu, or any other vegan protein for a scrumptious and fully plant-based meal! While we love using freshly made fries for this dish, if you're looking to save time and cleanup, oven-baked fries will work wonderfully too.
In a skillet over high heat, heat oil until it just starts to smoke. Add seitan and sear, stirring occasionally, for 4 to 5 minutes, or it begins to caramelize.
If there is no visible oil in the pan, add about a tablespoon more before adding the red onion and aji amarillo (or fresno chile). Cook, tossing constantly, for 3 minutes, until onions have just started to soften. Add tomatoes and cook for an additional 2 to 3 minutes, tossing them with the rest of the ingredients. Make sure the tomatoes have not cooked down fully and still retain a bit of bite. Add garlic, a good pinch of kosher salt and a couple cracks of black pepper and let cook for another minute.
Reduce heat to medium and add soy sauce and vinegar, stirring until seitan and veggies are fully coated with sauce. Let sauce reduce for 1 to 1 ½ minutes, or until it has thickened slightly.
Remove skillet from heat and add fries, tossing until they have been fully incorporated. Garnish with cilantro and serve.