1
170-g can tuna
2 tbsp light mayonnaise
1 tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
generous pinch dried oregano leaves
generous pinch salt
generous pinch ground black pepper
1 cup baby spinach
2-Jan red or yellow bell pepper
several thin slices red onion
3/4 cup grated light cheddar, or mozzarella or 2 thin slices cheddar or mozzarella
2 slices whole wheat bread
Set oven rack about 6 inches (15 cm) from broiler element. Preheat broiler. Drain tuna and place in a small bowl. Stir in mayonnaise, lemon juice, oregano, salt and black pepper. Coarsely chop spinach. Thinly slice red pepper and onion into long strips. Grate cheese. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Place bread on rack. Divide tuna between slices and spread right to edges. Top with spinach, red pepper and onion. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil until cheese melts, 3 to 4 minutes. Excellent with a tall cold glass of skim milk.
Calories 345, Protein 33.9g, Carbohydrates 20.5g, Fat 14.5g, Fibre 3.4g, Sodium 821mg.
The classic tuna melt was a great tummy-pleaser when we were kids. Turns out, you're never too grown up to enjoy its simple comfort. We added healthy veggies to boost nutrition and a light covering of grated cheese instead of piling on thick slices. You get the same gooey goodness but with fewer calories
* Southwestern Tex-Mex Mix tuna with a few spoonfuls of salsa, a squeeze of lime juice, pinches of ground cumin and a handful of canned black beans and corn niblets. Wrap in colourful tortillas and dip in sour cream.
* Bombay cups Mix tuna with a little mayonnaise and a spoonful of curry paste or pinches of curry powder. Then stir in chopped apple and raisins. Spoon into lettuce cups or over leaves of romaine.
* French baguette Spread a sliced baguette with a little Dijon, then top with a mixture of tuna stirred with mayonnaise, chopped olives, capers and pinches of black pepper. Top with chopped or sliced tomato or slices of hard-boiled eggs.
* Mediterranean pitas Stir tuna with a few spoonfuls of sun-dried tomato-and-oregano salad dressing or zesty Italian vinaigrette and thin slices of green onion. Spoon into whole wheat pitas and top with spinach or arugula leaves.
* Tuna caesar salad Stir tuna with spoonfuls of creamy caesar salad dressing, pinches of grated Parmesan and shredded romaine lettuce. Tear the centres out of crusty buns and fill with tuna mixture.
* Greek tuna Stir tuna with a few spoonfuls of tzatziki or Greek salad dressing and finely chopped cucumber, seeded tomatoes, black olives and green pepper. Spoon into pitas.