Speedy Tuna Dishes ...

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Speedy Tuna Dishes ...

Tuna are ocean-dwelling fish and are extremely fast swimmers, can you believe they have been clocked at 70 kilometers per hour Unlike most fish, which have white flesh, tuna flesh is pink to dark red, which could explain their odd nick-name, “rose of the sea.”

Some of the larger species, such as the blue fin tuna, can raise their blood temperature above water temperature through muscular activity. This ability enables them to live in cooler waters and to survive in a wide range of ocean environments.

There are over 48 different varieties of Tuna , with names like Yellow Fin, Big Eye, Long Tail Tuna, Bullet Tuna, Bonito, Little Tunny, Slender Tuna

The main tuna fishing nations are concentrated in Asia with Japan Taiwan, Indonesia & South Korea floating the main fleets In Europe Spain and France are the biggest producers.

Tuna is very high in protein and is such an easy food to prepare whether you are using a fresh tuna steak or from a tuna from a tin, you can have a meal on the table in minutes, it is also an extremely cost effective!

Tuna is also an oily fish and therefore contains a high amount of Vitamin D.

There are many brands of tuna on the market, choose a well know reputable producer. It is also packed for example in Spring water, brine or olive oil. There are also premium brands on the market such as Ortiz which is produced in Spain.

The Ortiz company has been there for 5 generations and family members still run the company. The tuna is brought fresh from the ocean and straight to one of their many production units dotted along the coast of Spain. Ortiz use only bonito and yellow fin which are 2 of the top grades of tuna.

Bonito is white in colour, lower in fat and very delicate in flavour. Yellow fin is slightly pinky in colour and a little stronger in flavour.

All the tuna from Ortiz is caught by traditional fishing boats, the bonito being actually caught using rods and live bait, which is the most selective and ecological method, making it dolphin friendly and the one that brings in the highest quality fish.

Simple Tuna Ideas…..

All Using 1 tin of drained tuna & serving 3 to 4 people

· Toasty Tuna, grated mozzarella & red onion – pop on ciabatta bread and then under the grill until toasty

· Tuna sandwich filler – drained tuna, chopped cucumber, chopped onion,sweetcorn, ½ tbls of mayo & ¼ teasp of sweet chilli sauce. Make the night before and simply pop into sandwich bread next morning.

· Pitta bread top with drained tuna, mix with ½ tbls of mayo sweet corn and grated cheese – pop under the grill to melt...

· Tuna Salad w chopped celery, chopped apple, 1 handful of walnuts & 1 tbls of mayo

· Asiany Tuna salad, w 1 handful of beansprouts, 1 tbls of chopped coriander, 2 spring onion sliced thinly & 1 tbls of soy sauce

· Italian Tuna Pasta salad, 1 grilled red pepper sliced , 4 handfuls of cooked penne pasta, 1 large spoon of chopped sunblushed tomatoes, 1 handful of shredded basil leaves, drizzle of olive oil or a little basil pesto

· Nicoise Salad, drained tuna, 1 handful of cooked green beans, 2 hard boiled eggs, 4 handfuls of mixed leaves, 2 sliced tomatoes, olive oil & sprinkling of sea salt

Tuna pasta bake

1 tin of drained tuna, mixed with some chopped tomatoes (fresh or tinned) 2 tomatoes or half a can of tomatoes, 1 cup of fresh or frozen peas, fresh or frozen sweetcorn, mix ingredients together, pop into an oven proof dish topped with breadcrumbs and some grated cheese. CooK @ 180 for about 20 mins or until bubbly and light brown on top.

Tuna & Potato Cakes

Take 4 large spoons of mashed potato, 1 tin of drained tuna, finely chopped onion, 1 can of sweetcorn, 1 egg & a little flour to shape.

Combine mixture in a large bowl shape into 4 round potato cakes and fry on a non stick pan in a little oil and butter.