Canned Tuna??

Does anyone have any tips for recipes using canned tuna that aren't boring/disgusting? Because I'm often too busy to cook a full-fledged meal, I often resort to canned tuna after a weight workout at the gym in order to take advantage to the quick source of protein. But I'm bored with the usual additions (onion, apple, celery, hard-boiled egg, mayo) and wondered if there's something out there I haven't thought of (besides Tuna Helper!).

Tuna burgers? I would think if you can make salmon patties out of canned salmon you could do the same with tuna. Add some bread crumbs, an egg, some good seasonings. Place on a hearty roll with wasabi or some spicy chutney.

Or does that sound gross...

I'll mix it with some balsamic or chile-infused vinegar when I'm looking for something different or lighter, in place of mayo.

Well, of course there is canned tuna and canned tuna. The expensive "ventresca" belly meat is often served as a Tapas dish in spain. You just put the tuna on a piece of toast or cracker and drizzle balsamic vinegar and/or olive oil and eat. Then repeat.

There is a wonderful Tunisian dish called -- hmm, "Brik" "Breek" "Brique." I never had to spell it in English, but it is pronounce BREEK.

It is tuna and an egg cooked in a sort of tortilla thing, extremely tasty.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/BRIK-TUNISIAN-TUNA-AND-EGG-TURNOVER-1203968

I always liked regular old tuna salad, with mayo and celery etc., the things you said you were tired of. I like it packed into a ripe avocado half, or served in a sandwich. And there is that old 1950's casserole, you dump it onto noodles with a can of cream of mushroom soup and cook in the oven. I even like that...

Frank

Canned tuna is so flexible an ingredient, there's lots of things you can do with it. Here's a few samples.
Tuna souffle
Tuna melt
Salad Nicoise
Tuna pizza with veggies & did it once adding white beans
Tuna risotto, haven't done it personally but had it at a friend's and it was very tasty
Tuna Alfredo casserole is easy to do
Tuna croquettes, a nice retro dish
And as long as we're talking 'cans', once through together a couple cans of veggie soup, I think mushroom was one of them, with some milk, a pinch of thyme, S & P and some sherry, adding the tuna when the soup was pretty much done. Not gourmet but satisfying, and fairly low cal.

I like to add canned tuna to a spicy tomato sauce, toss in some good chopped olives and serve over pasta.

Also, I add tuna to a salad with hot peppers, romaine, onions, and marinated veggies.

Tuna burgers? I would think if you can make salmon patties out of canned salmon you could do the same with tuna. Add some bread crumbs, an egg, some good seasonings. Place on a hearty roll with wasabi or some spicy chutney.

Or does that sound gross...

I make those with tuna sometimes! They are good. I actually use some mayo in place of an egg...

[Jenise]

How about a warm "tuna pate"? Sweat a whole sliced onion in olive oil, add canned tuna and capers. Salt and pepper to taste. Pitchfork it onto grilled bread or a plain crisp cracker for a fast and delicious meal. Goes well with white wine.

Does anyone have any tips for recipes using canned tuna that aren't boring/disgusting?

I second Frank's comment that there is canned tuna and canned tuna. First, the effect and flavor is quite different depending on whether it's packed in olive oil or water. And there are definitely various grades of quality. Often the Italian and Spanish brands are better. However, Trader Joe's tuna in olive oil is quite tasty IMHO.

Here's a recipe that everyone in our family likes a lot - Tuna & White Bean salad. You just need some decent quality tuna in olive oil and canned white beans, plus fresh marjoram or oregano and some stuff that is probably in your larder right now...

Tuna & White Bean Salad

1. Juice 1 lemon and put the juice in a large bowl. Mix in a tablespoon of minced or ground fresh oregano or marjoram, 1 teaspoon mustard and several pinches of salt. Finely chop one shallot and add it to the bowl, mix and let sit for about 5-10 minutes.

2. Empty the can of tuna in olive oil directly into the bowl (don't drain the oil) and break up the tuna in the dressing. Drain and add one can of white beans to the bowl and mix thoroughly. Chop any or all of the following and add to taste:
celery
parsley
red bell pepper

3. Season to taste and serve at room temperature. (It's not as good refrigerated). If it's too dry, you can add more dressing or just olive oil.

You can substitute garbanzo beans for the white beans if you wish.

Here comes the bummer again.

Read the label on your tuna can. Even the CDC (they were there before the FDA) recommends backing down on tuna consumption. Mercury content is the main culprit. Tuna are predatory and pretty high up the food chain.

Here's a good product:

http://1wildplanet.com/osCommerce/catal ... 3589cb088e

And it's less that a dollar an ounce.

As opposed to:

http://www.tienda.com/food/products/se-50.html

Which is about about $4.70 per ounce. (But, it's good stuff, I must admit).

Wow - thanks for all the suggestions/info, I didn't expect so many replies! This is great, I'm looking forward to trying them. (And no Patti, your tuna burger idea doesn't sound gross at all )

Kyrstyn, we do a Japanese-inspired salad - drained tinned tuna, corn kernels, chopped cucumber (I usually add other veggies as well), then dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil. The corn and tuna is the main combo, and then you can play with it. Apparently it's quite popular in Japan, where they have a dedicated dressing for it.

Celia

And there is that old 1950's casserole, you dump it onto noodles with a can of cream of mushroom soup and cook in the oven. I even like that...
Frank

I like it too Frank. My wife has been making that since the 1950's I think. After shopping and not wanting to stop for dinner, it is easy, quick, and tasty! We sometimes even take it to the tv if it's game time.

Does anyone have any tips for recipes using canned tuna that aren't boring/disgusting?

Tuna & White Bean Salad

Darn, I knew I was forgetting an important example. This is a wonderful "Tuscan" recipe especially if you use Cannelini beans. Try this recipe it is a real treat. Of course it's part of why other Italians call Tuscans "mangiafagioli" -- or "Mangiafazool" followed by certain rude noises...

F