Preheat a pan on the stove to medium heat and your oven to 375°F/190°C
Saute diced onion with water or vegetable broth until translucent. Set aside to cool.
Process chickpeas and mushrooms together until crumbly, but not quite a paste.
Transfer chickpea and mushroom mixture to a bowl and add cornmeal, onion, Italian seasoning, sea salt, black pepper, and onions. Mix well.
In a separate bowl, mix liquid smoke, vegetable broth, vegan Worcestershire sauce, and ketchup.
Mix liquid into dry and mix well.
Add vital wheat gluten and mix well for 2-3 minutes.
On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, sprayed foil or a Silpat mat, pour your mixture. Using your hands, press into a bone shape or any other “spooky” shape you desire (if making for Halloween)! You could also use a themed cake pan.
Coat with a thick layer of BBQ sauce.
Bake for 1 hr 20 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. You can start checking around the 1 hr mark.
Let sit for 10-15 minutes before cutting and serving.