Canned tuna is a convenient, inexpensive, and versatile food that can serve as the basis for countless delicious recipes. In this article, we offer you five essential recipes based on canned tuna that you absolutely must know and try today.
Homemade Tuna Nuggets
These tuna nuggets are a great alternative to traditional chicken nuggets, and can be simply prepared with canned tuna.
Here is the list of ingredients:
- Canned tuna: 1 large can (about 200 g),
- Egg: 1 large
- Breadcrumbs: about 100 g for the mix and extra for breading
- Fresh parsley: 2 tablespoons, chopped
- Spices of your choice: quantity to taste (for example, salt, pepper, paprika)
- Olive oil: for cooking
Accompaniment (optional):
- Tomato sauce or garlic mayonnaise
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These quantities should allow you to prepare about 4 to 6 nuggets, depending on the size you want to give them.
Preparation :
Mix the drained tuna with an egg, breadcrumbs, chopped parsley and spices to taste. Shape into small oval balls and lightly flatten them, then bread them in breadcrumbs before browning for a few minutes on each side in a hot pan with olive oil. Serve these tuna nuggets with tomato sauce or garlic mayonnaise, for even more taste enjoyment.
Savory Tuna Cake with Crunchy Vegetables
The savory cake with tuna is a timeless classic, ideal for a picnic or a cocktail dinner.
Here is the list of ingredients:
- Flour : 200 g
- Eggs : 3 large
- Baking yeast : 1 packet (approximately 11 g)
- Olive oil : 100 ml
- Milk: 150 ml
- Tuna crumbs (drained) : 1 large can (about 140 g)
- Red and green peppers: 1/2 pepper of each color, diced
- Carrots: 1 large carrot, sliced into very thin rounds
- Pitted olives: a handful (about 50 g), sliced or chopped
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Grated cheese (like emmental or cheddar): 100 g
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These quantities are for a standard cake which should suffice for about 6 to 8 people.
Preparation:
For this irresistible version, incorporate into the basic mixture (flour, eggs, yeast, olive oil, milk) tuna crumbs, diced red and green peppers, very thin slices of carrot, and a few pitted olives. Don’t forget to add salt, pepper, and grated cheese for even more indulgence. Bake your delicious savory tuna and vegetable cake in a cake pan for about 40 minutes at 180°C.
Variant: Savory Cake with Tuna and Sundried Tomatoes
You can also try this variant with canned tuna, with cherry tomatoes that you have previously caramelized with oil and Provence herbs for about 25 minutes. The tomatoes will bring a tangy note that contrasts with the softness of the canned tuna and enhances this exceptional cake.
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Quick Tuna Brandade
The brandade is usually made with desalted cod, but this quick and easy version made with canned tuna will win you over with its simplicity and delicious taste.
Here is the list of ingredients:
- Canned tuna: 2 cans (about 280 g of drained tuna in total)
- Onion : 1 medium, sliced
- Garlic cloves: 2, finely chopped
- Potatoes: 500 g, cooked and cut into cubes
- Milk: 200 ml, to be heated before use
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Chopped parsley: 2 tablespoons for garnish
This recipe is designed to serve about 4 people.
Preparation:
Sauté the minced onion, chopped garlic cloves, and crumbled tuna, then add cubed cooked potatoes. Let it cook for a few minutes, then gradually incorporate warm milk while stirring, until you achieve a creamy consistency. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with chopped parsley before enjoying it nice and hot.
Tuna, quinoa and crunchy vegetables meal salad
Here is the list of ingredients:
- Quinoa: 150 g (dry measure), cook according to instructions then cool
- Carrot: 1 large, peeled and cut into julienne or grated
- Cucumber: 1/2 cucumber, diced
- Red cabbage : 100 g, finely sliced
- Tomato: 1 large, diced
- Avocado: 1 medium, thinly sliced
- Canned Tuna: 1 can (approximately 140 g), drained and crumbled
- Olive oil: 3 tablespoons
- Lemon juice : 2 tablespoons
- Salt and pepper: to taste
- Fresh herbs (parsley, coriander, mint): 3 tablespoons, chopped
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This salad is ideal for 2 to 3 people as a complete meal or for 4 people as a side dish!
Preparation:
For a complete and tasty salad, mix a portion of chilled cooked quinoa with thinly sliced or small diced raw vegetables (carrot, cucumber, red cabbage, tomato), a few thin slices of avocado, and a can of crumbled tuna. Season everything with a mix of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and fresh herbs to taste (parsley, coriander, mint).
This quinoa and canned tuna salad is perfect to take to the beach in a lunchbox, isn’t it?
Suggestion to vary the pleasures:
You can replace quinoa with other cereals, such as bulgur, spelt or couscous, depending on your preferences and the ingredients you have in your kitchen. Add nuts, almonds or seeds to bring even more indulgence and crunchiness to this irresistible salad!
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Creamy risotto with spinach, tuna and ricotta
Amaze your taste buds with this creamy risotto made with canned tuna.
Here is the list of ingredients:
- Onion : 1 medium, finely chopped
- Arborio rice : 250 g
- Vegetable broth : about 1 liter
- Fresh Spinach: 200 g, steamed or frozen spinach: 200 g
- Canned Tuna : 1 can (about 140 g), drained and flaked
- Ricotta: 100 g
- Grated Parmesan : 50 g
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This recipe serves about 4 people.
Preparation:
Prepare a classic risotto by sautéing onion and arborio rice, then add vegetable broth gradually until the rice is cooked. Meanwhile, steam fresh spinach, or reheat previously thawed frozen spinach. At the end of cooking, incorporate the spinach into the risotto with crumbled tuna and a few spoons of ricotta to add a touch of freshness and creaminess. Serve this subtly creamy spinach risotto hot, sprinkled with parmesan.
Now that you know these five original recipes based on canned tuna, all you have to do is put on your apron and start cooking to delight your loved ones and impress their taste buds!