In the culinary landscape of America, few dishes embody the spirit of fusion quite like Italian American tuna melts. These sandwiches, born from the marriage of two distinct cuisines, have become a staple of American comfort food, enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds. With their crispy toasted bread, melted cheese, and savory tuna filling, Italian American tuna melts offer a delightful blend of flavors and textures that is sure to satisfy even the most discerning palate. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy lunch option or a nostalgic taste of childhood, this article will guide you through the culinary journey of finding the best recipe for Italian American tuna melts, ensuring that your taste buds are in for a delightful adventure.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
MATER'S MISSISSIPPI TUNA MELT
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 2h35m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Make the aioli and begin marinating the tuna early in the day. Microwave the lemon and lime in a small bowl to release the essential oils and set aside just long enough to be able to handle. Meanwhile, through the feed tube of a running blender, add 1 at a time, the egg yolks, dry mustard, salt, and white pepper. By this time, the micro-waved lemon and lime should be cool enough to handle. Leaving the blender running, squeeze the juice from half of 1 lemon through the feed opening, then add the oil in a slow stream. Remove to a bowl and refrigerate.
- Season the tuna steaks with salt and pepper, place them in a nonreactive container and squeeze the rest of the lemon and the lime over them. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours.
- Heat the grill or preheat the broiler in the oven. Brush the marinated tuna with 1 tablespoon or so of olive oil. Cook until browned, until fish flakes with a fork, 3 to 6 minutes per side, and then let rest. Leave grill hot or oven on to toast bread.
- Brush olive oil (about 1 tablespoon per half) on Italian bread and toast lightly, either on the grill or under broiler.
- Flake the tuna, place in a bowl with scallions and fennel and fold in the aioli. Spoon tuna mixture onto the toasted Italian bread, drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinegar over, and top with Cheddar. Heat briefly in the oven to melt cheese. Garnish with fresh dill. This is great served with fresh tomato soup, if desired.
TUNA MELTS
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- In a mixing bowl, combine sweet onion, drained tuna, mozzarella, and mayonnaise. Mix thoroughly.
- Spread tuna mixture on slices of French bread to form a sandwich. Place sandwiches on a cookie sheet.
- Bake in a preheated oven for 10 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 483.3 calories, Carbohydrate 34.1 g, Cholesterol 41.1 mg, Fat 27.7 g, Fiber 1.5 g, Protein 24.5 g, SaturatedFat 6.5 g, Sodium 716.4 mg, Sugar 2.4 g
SIMPLE TUNA MELT
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Place bread slices in the oven to toast while it preheats, and while you make the tuna salad.
- In a small bowl, mix together the tuna, mayonnaise, salt, balsamic vinegar, mustard and dill pickle until well blended. Remove bread from the oven, and pile the tuna mixture onto one slice. Sprinkle cheese over the other slice of bread.
- Bake for 7 minutes in the preheated oven, or until cheese is melted and tuna is heated through. Place the cheese side of the sandwich on top of the tuna side. Cut in half and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 608 calories, Carbohydrate 26.8 g, Cholesterol 77.9 mg, Fat 34.2 g, Fiber 3.9 g, Protein 46.8 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Sodium 1028 mg, Sugar 4.4 g
ITALIAN-STYLE TUNA SANDWICH
Though an American cook (or even a French one) usually adds mayonnaise to the bowl when dressing canned tuna for a sandwich, Italian cooks invariably anoint theirs with olive oil instead. Capers, olives and anchovy often join the festivities; here they are combined with garlic and parsley to make a zesty salsa verde. Choose the best quality Italian or Spanish canned tuna-the extra cost is well worth it. The other essential ingredient is freshly baked bread, like a good crisp baguette or crusty ciabatta roll.
Provided by David Tanis
Categories dinner, lunch, quick, sandwiches, main course
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Make the salsa verde: Whiz parsley leaves and 1/2 cup oil in a food processor or blender to a pesto-like consistency, then transfer to a small bowl. (Alternatively, chop parsley by hand and combine with oil.) Add garlic, chopped olives, anchovies, capers, lemon zest and red pepper to parsley mixture and stir well. Season with salt if necessary and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Thin with more oil as desired.
- Cut baguette crosswise into 4 equal pieces, then split each lengthwise with a serrated knife. (If using rolls, split each lengthwise.) For each sandwich, lay bread flat, crust side down. Spread cut sides with 2 tablespoons salsa verde. Put a few lettuce leaves on 1 piece of bread and arrange 2 ounces of tuna over lettuce. Top tuna with 1 egg, quartered. Season egg lightly with salt and pepper. Add sliced serrano chile, if using. Drizzle with a little more salsa verde, then press sandwich closed.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 530, UnsaturatedFat 29 grams, Carbohydrate 19 grams, Fat 38 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 6 grams, Sodium 725 milligrams, Sugar 2 grams
TUNA MELT
Legend has it that the tuna melt was accidentally invented in the 1960s at the Woolworth's lunch counter in Charleston, S.C., when the cook didn't notice that a bowl of tuna salad had tipped over onto a grilled cheese. We may never know if this story is true, but there's no doubt that the tuna melt has become a classic American diner food. This recipe adds chopped cornichons and whole-grain mustard for a satisfying crunch and vinegary element. Extra-sharp Cheddar is a must, and as with grilled cheese, the key to achieving perfectly melted cheese and golden bread is to toast the sandwich over medium-low heat. If you prefer an open-face tuna melt, skip the top piece of bread and place the sandwich on a sheet pan under the broiler until the cheese melts.
Provided by Lidey Heuck
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, weeknight, sandwiches, main course
Time 15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place the tuna in a medium bowl and flake with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, cornichons, red onion, lemon juice, dill (if using), mustard, salt and pepper. Mix well.
- Depending on the size of your bread, spoon 1/3 to 1/2 cup tuna salad on each of four slices of bread, heaping it in the middle slightly. Divide the cheese among the sandwiches, tearing and arranging the cheese to fit neatly. Place a piece of bread on top of each and generously spread the top piece of each sandwich with about 1/2 tablespoon butter.
- Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium-low. Place two sandwiches, buttered-side down, in the skillet, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the bottom pieces of bread are golden brown.
- Meanwhile, spread the top of the each sandwich with another 1/2 tablespoon butter. Carefully flip the sandwiches, turn the heat to low, and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes, until the bottoms are browned and the cheese is melted. Repeat with the remaining two sandwiches and serve immediately.
EASY MEDITERRANEAN TUNA MELT
This is a surprising Mediterranean twist on the classic tuna melt, made with canned tuna, chickpeas, olives, and Parmesan cheese.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes
Time 20m
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Heat broiler. In a bowl, combine first 8 ingredients (through mustard); season with salt and pepper.
- Lay bread, cut side up, on a broiler-proof baking sheet; top with tuna mixture. Sprinkle with Parmesan. Broil until golden, 2 to 4 minutes. Cut into pieces; serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 414 g, Fat 10 g, Protein 31 g
MOZZARELLA TUNA MELTS
Make and share this Mozzarella Tuna Melts recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Scarlett516
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 20m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a small bowl, combine the tuna, celery, onion, and mayonnaise. Spread on bottom of buns; set bun tops aside. Top tuna mixture with a slice of cheese and tomato.
- Place on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake, uncovered at 350°F for 12-15 minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted. Top each with a lettuce leaf, replace bun tops.
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best results. Fresh tuna, good quality bread, and flavorful cheese will make a big difference in the taste of your tuna melts.
- Don't overcook the tuna. Tuna is a delicate fish and it can easily become dry and tough if it is overcooked. Cook it just until it is opaque in the center.
- Use a good quality bread that will hold up well to being grilled or toasted. A sturdy bread like sourdough or French bread is a good choice.
- Don't skimp on the cheese. Cheese is what makes tuna melts so delicious! Use a generous amount of your favorite cheese, or a combination of cheeses.
- Add some extras to your tuna melts for even more flavor. Some popular additions include chopped vegetables, herbs, or spices.
Conclusion:
Tuna melts are a classic American comfort food that is easy to make and loved by people of all ages. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can make a delicious tuna melt that will satisfy your hunger and warm your soul. So next time you're looking for a quick and easy meal, give tuna melts a try. You won't be disappointed!
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