Description
Savory white tuna balls bring Mediterranean coastal charm to dinner tables with irresistible Mediterranean flavors. Crispy exterior and tender center promise a delightful culinary experience you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Protein:
- 2 cans (5 ounces each) white tuna in water, drained
- 1 large egg
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
Seasoning and Optional Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Optional Dipping Sauces:
- Lemon aioli
- Tartar sauce
- Sweet chili sauce
Instructions
- Thoroughly empty tuna from its can, breaking it into delicate flakes within a spacious mixing vessel.
- Incorporate crisp breadcrumbs, whisked eggs, aromatic minced garlic, sharp Parmesan cheese, verdant chopped parsley, bright lemon zest, seasoning with salt and pepper. Blend ingredients meticulously until uniform in texture.
- Gently craft the mixture into compact, uniform spheres approximately one inch in diameter, ensuring consistent size for even cooking.
- Warm olive oil in a heavy skillet over moderate heat, creating a golden cooking surface.
- Carefully introduce tuna spheres into the heated pan, rotating periodically to achieve an even, rich golden-brown exterior. Maintain consistent heat to ensure complete internal cooking.
- Once spheres display a uniform caramel-like coloration and feel firm to touch, transfer them onto an absorbent paper towel to eliminate excess cooking oil.
- Present the tuna spheres while still warm, accompanied by a complementary dipping sauce, atop a bed of pasta, or nestled within a crisp salad for a versatile culinary experience.
Notes
- Customize breadcrumbs by using gluten-free options like almond meal or crushed rice crackers for those with wheat sensitivities.
- Boost protein content by adding a small amount of quinoa or chia seeds to the mixture for extra nutritional value.
- Control oil absorption by using a non-stick skillet or baking the tuna balls in the oven at 375°F for a healthier cooking method.
- Enhance flavor variety by experimenting with different herbs like dill, basil, or chives instead of parsley for unique taste profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 500 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg