Tuna can be a very inexpensive way to add protein into your diet. Canned tuna is fairly cheap and when paired with a sale and coupons its a great bargain. My husband takes tuna for lunch during the week, but I don't usually eat it. This week Publix had the large Albacore packets on sale, so I wanted to try to incorporate them into an easy dinner. I came across this recipe in my Everyday Food magazine and knew it was going to be delicious! Its Emeril's recipe, after all! I ran my grocery store errands after work today, so it was a late night coming home. These came together in less than 15 minutes. Perfect for those busy weeknights. I used the capers in my half (my husband didn't want them), but I left the onion our of the entire batch. Raw onion is not my thing. Use what's pleasing to your family. I have never eaten capers before, but I've wanted to try them. I almost equate it to olives. To me, the olives on a pizza just enhance the flavor of everything. I love the salty bite. Same for the capers. They are soft, so they just blend in with the tuna, but they give you a nice salty bite. I got a small jar of them at Walmart for $1.50. So, its nothing to break the bank. But, you could certainly omit them all together. This is a quick, easy dinner you definitely want to try!
4 5-oz. cans tuna in water, drained (I used 2 6.4-oz. packets)
1/3 cup mayonnaise, plus more for spreading (use for the consistency you want)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
4 teaspoons capers, rinsed and drained (don't forget to rinse...I did!)
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled between your fingers (I didn't have this)
4 slices crusty bread (I used split ciabatta bread rolls)
8-12 thin slices of tomato (I used 3 per melt)
4 slices provolone (I used mozzarella)
Heat broiler. In a medium bowl, combine tuna, mayonnaise, onion, capers, lemon juice, salt, pepper and oregano and stir until thoroughly combined.
Arrange bread on a baking sheet and spread a little mayonnaise on each slice (I used halved ciabatta bread). Divide tuna salad evenly among slices, then top each with 2 slices tomato and 1 slice cheese. Broil until cheese is golden brown and bubbling, 3-4 minutes.
Enjoy!
(adapted from Everyday Food)
We celebrated my husband's 30th birthday last night, so I didn't get to spend any time in the kitchen. I forgot about it being his birthday though, when I planned to do this dish last night. I was trying to come up with a way to use the Buitoni pasta and the Margaritaville shrimp. Since I haven't made the dish, I am just going to post Ina Garten's original recipe I was going to work from. This recipe received great reviews on foodnetwork.com. If you get the Margaritaville Shrimp Scampi at Publix this week (B1G1) they are already going to have the sauce on them. You could warm them in the skillet in a little bit of olive oil, then add some of the parsley, lemon zest, lemon juice and slices, and red pepper flakes. Toss with the pasta and you should have a delicious, quick meal. And again, if I make this I'll post a picture. I just don't see that happening before Christmas though!
So, here is a link to Ina's recipe. My husband really would love this, so I will try to make it soon!
Linguine with Shrimp Scampi- by Ina Garten
