3 RECIPES for Tuna Melts

Variety is always great, so here are three different ideas for hot, cheesy Tuna Melt Sandwiches (using canned tuna) . Which, do you think you’ll try?

1.Tuna Melt  Classic With Mayo

This is the classic tuna salad, with the addition of cheese. You can never go wrong with a classic.

2. Old Fashioned Tuna Melt With Cream Of Mushroom Soup ( No Mayo )

This is an option if you don’t like Mayo. This was popular in the late ’80s and early ’90s, when the recipe was posted on cans of mushroom soup.  It is a nice, hearty filling.

 3. Spicy Tuna and Tomato Melts

This is another yummy one to try. It adds some spice and tomato paste to give you a great filling when combined with cheese. Pair it with herbed bread, and it really tastes like pizza.

The Recipe Intro has more info and Video. Check it out.

3 RECIPES for Tuna Melts

The reason we use tuna flakes in water instead of tuna flakes in oil, is that Tuna melts uses Cheese and we don’t want this additional oil to make our sandwich, heavy.

Ingredients:

For making the Melts Sandwich( for each filling):

Sturdy Sandwich loaves, country styles breads, baguettes etc..		2
Natural Cheese SlicesMethod to make the Grilled Tuna Melts with any of the above fillings:		2

1. Tuna Melt  Classic With Mayo (Filling)

 

INGREDIENTS (Tuna Melts Classic)

Tuna (flakes) in water		1 can
of a Red Onion, chopped		Half
Fresh herbs (Parsley or Dill), chopped		2 Tbsp
Celery, diced		2 Tbsp
Diced pickle (dill or sweet) OR pickle relish		1 1/2 Tbsp
Mayonnaise		2-3 Generous Tbsp
Mustard		1/2 tsp
Salt and Pepper (to taste)		As needed

Method:

1. Drain the tuna thoroughly. Add into a bowl.
2. Add the diced onion, freshly chopped herbs, diced celery, diced pickle or pickle relish.
3. Add Mayonnaise to taste. I usually add 2 Tbsp first, and add more to make it spreadable (only if needed). Stir this in along with the mustard.
4. Add freshly cracked pepper.

 

2. Old Fashioned Tuna Melts With Cream Of Mushroom Soup ( No Mayo – Filling )

INGREDIENTS (Old Fashioned Tuna Melts)

Tuna (flakes) in water		1 can
Parsley, chopped		2 Tbsp
Celery diced		2 Tbsp
shallot, minced ( or use red onion )		1
Cream of Mushroom Soup (can or carton)		1/2 cup
Salt and Pepper (to taste)		As needed

Method:

1. Drain the tuna thoroughly. Add into a bowl.
2. Add the diced celery, parsley, minced shallot(or onion). Add the cream of mushroom soup and stir everything well.
3. Season to taste with pepper.
4. Add this mixture to a saucepan on medium heat, stirring occasionally till you get a thicker spreadable, cooked mixture. (About 1 1/2 minutes).

 

3.Spicy Tuna and Tomato Melts Filling

INGREDIENTS(.Spicy Tuna and Tomato Melts)

Tuna (flakes) in water		1 can
Red onion, diced finely		Half (of one)
Olive oil / Evoo		2 Tbsp
Tomato paste Or concentrated Puree		2 Tbsp
Mild chilli Powder/ Paprika		1 tsp
Fresh herbs (Parsley or Dill), chopped		2 Tbsp
Cilantro, chopped		2 Tbsp
Celery, diced		2 Tbsp
Diced pickle (dill or sweet) OR pickle relish		1 1/2 Tbsp
Mayonnaise		2-3 generous Tbsp
Mustard		1/2 tsp
Salt and Pepper (to taste)		As needed

Method:

1. Drain the tuna thoroughly.
2. Heat the oil in a small pan/wok. Add the onion and saute lightly.
3. Add the drained tuna and stir-fry this until most of the moisture from the tuna has evaporated.
4. Add the tomato paste/puree -and paprika/chili powder.
5. Continue stir-frying this till you get a nice texture and it is no longer too moist. But you don’t want to over fry, or the tuna will get hard and chewy.
6. Season with salt and pepper. Add the fresh herbs (Cilantro or dill).
7. Allow to cool off a bit and then stir in the mayonnaise. Stir till evenly blended.

NOTES one Making the sandwiches:

1. Use a type of bread that is sturdy enough to handle the particular filling. If it is too light or too soft, it tends to break up and get soggy during the grilling process. Especially for the Old fashioned Melt with Mushroom soup – the bread should be a sturdy one.
2. Cut the sandwich bread through the middle. Add a little melted butter if you like.
3. Add an appropriate amount of filling, followed by a slice of natural cheese. Wrap the sandwich in foil paper, not too tightly but securely.
4. Use the stovetop grill pan or your panini press/sandwich press, to grill the sandwiches.
5. On the grill pan, grill for just about 1 minute per side, and make sure the heat is not too high or you will burn the bread. You just want to grill the bread and melt the sandwich

3 RECIPES for Tuna Melts

Notes:

Key Ingredients: Tuna, Bread, Herbs, Salt and Pepper, Different fillings.

EAT AND TELL!!!

Let us know if you tried –  3 RECIPES for Tuna Melts