Discover the culinary delights of Brittany with this authentic recipe for Breton tuna and white bean gratin, a hearty and comforting dish that showcases the region's love for seafood and simple, rustic cooking. This classic casserole combines tender tuna, creamy white beans, and a flavorful tomato sauce, all topped with a golden crust of melted cheese. Alongside the main recipe, we'll also guide you through variations that add a touch of elegance with shrimp and scallops, or a vegetarian twist with roasted vegetables. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Brittany and savor the essence of French home cooking.
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WHITE BEAN TUNA SALAD
Provided by Giada De Laurentiis
Categories main-dish
Time 10m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a large bowl, add the tuna, reserving the olive oil in a separate small bowl. Break tuna into bite-size pieces with a large fork. Add the beans and capers. Into the bowl of olive oil, add the red wine vinegar. You should have 1 part vinegar to 2 parts oil - add more extra-virgin olive oil if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Pour dressing on the tuna, bean and caper mixture and allow the flavors to infuse while slicing the vegetables. Add the onion and tomatoes to tuna mixture and toss gently.
- Place the arugula on large decorative platter and top with tuna mixture. Tear fresh basil leaves over the top and serve immediately.
ONE-PAN TUNA-WHITE BEAN CASSEROLE
This is not the classic, cream-of-something soup tuna casserole you may be familiar with. It's based on a recipe for a Breton tuna and white bean gratin from the food writer Diana Henry's cookbook, "Simple" (Mitchell Beazley, 2016). Several steps were eliminated, and an essential potato chip topping was added, which may put it squarely into tuna casserole territory. But you can call it whatever you like. (This recipe is part of the From the Pantry series, started in the days after the coronavirus lockdown.)
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, casseroles, seafood, main course
Time 50m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet, sauté a chopped onion (or shallots, scallions or leeks) in olive oil over medium-high heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Add red-pepper flakes, salt and garlic cloves. Throw in the rosemary sprig, if using. Add anchovy fillets, if using. Cook for another 2 minutes, until the garlic is slightly golden and very fragrant.
- Add the white beans and the wine. Let it simmer until the liquid evaporates and the beans are soft, about 5 minutes, then mash the beans with a potato masher or a fork. Make them as smooth or lumpy as you like. You just want to release some of their starch. Turn off the heat.
- Now, add the milk and the tuna. If you have the oil-packed kind, add the oil. If you have the water-packed kind, drain them, and drizzle in more olive oil.
- Mash the tuna into the beans, leaving it a little chunky. Mix in the herbs, lemon zest and add lots of black pepper. Finally, mix in 2 to 4 tablespoons of any kind of grated cheese. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
- Spread the mixture evenly in the skillet, and top it with potato chips. Scatter on more grated cheese, about another 2 tablespoons, and dot the top with little nuggets of butter.
- Bake until the tuna mixture bubbles around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. If you want the potato chips to get more brown, you could run the whole pan under the broiler. Finish with lemon juice.
TUNA STEAKS WITH FENNEL
Sea bass is the fish I always associate with fennel, as the combination is a classic in Provence. But cross the border into Italy and you'll find tuna cooked with this anise-flavored vegetable.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, main course
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the leek and cook, stirring, until leeks are limp, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the mixture is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the fennel and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low, cover and cook slowly for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the lemon juice, taste and adjust seasonings. The mixture should be very soft.
- Meanwhile, season the albacore steaks with salt and pepper and heat the remaining olive oil in another pan over medium-high heat. Sear the albacore steaks for 30 seconds on each side. Place on top of the fennel. Cover the pan, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the fish is cooked through.
- Sprinkle on the parsley and serve, laying the fish on top of the fennel, with lemon wedges on the side.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 335, UnsaturatedFat 7 grams, Carbohydrate 21 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 45 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 1003 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Use canned tuna in water. This will help to reduce the amount of sodium in the dish.
- Make sure to drain and rinse the beans well before using them. This will help to remove any excess starch and make them less likely to clump together.
- Use a variety of vegetables in your gratin. This will add flavor and color to the dish. Some good options include onions, leeks, carrots, and celery.
- Don't be afraid to experiment with different herbs and spices. A little bit of thyme, oregano, or paprika can go a long way.
- Serve the gratin hot out of the oven. This is when it will be most flavorful.
Conclusion:
Breton Tuna and White Bean Gratin is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. It is also a great way to use up leftover tuna and beans. This dish is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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