(Sorry in advance for the lack of proper tags, I’m not sure how to add them on mobile)

So I tend to eat a can of tuna once or twice a week, usually with just a little salt, pepper and a dab of kewpie mayo and stuffed into onigiri. Are there any spices or sauces I can add to make it more interesting? Or any other easy tuna recipes I can make for one, preferably with rice? I really enjoy spicy foods and fermented/pickled things, but I’m not sure the best ways to combine that with something like tuna.

    • Araithya@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 months ago

      I keep seeing capers, what are they like? Are they similar to olives? I’ve never had anything with capers before, but I like dill, pickles, olives of all kinds so it seems like it’s up my alley

      • Donebrach@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Yeah you’d probably like them if youre into pickles and olives. They are a pickled bud of a plant, cant really describe what they taste like other than “like capers.” They’re bitter and kinda floral I guess? Anyway, a good paring with fish.

  • Donjuanme@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Use Cajun seasoning powder (Tony chacheres is my go to), and lemon pepper, a large spritz of lemon, and mix Frank’s red hot in with your mayo (I’ve not tried Kewpie Mayo, maybe you don’t want to pollute it). Some red chili flakes and Italian seasoning, maybe some garlic or onion powder, is my tuna mixture for tuna melts.

    (I am in no way a chef, but this is what I make when it’s my turn to cook)

  • cobysev@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    My go-to can-of-tuna meal is two 5-oz cans (or one 12-oz can), a heavy dollop of mayo, and a spoonful of sweet relish. Stir it all up, serve in a bowl.

    This used to be my standard recipe for tuna fish sandwiches, but then I figured, why add bread? That’s just extra calories. I’d rather have a bit more mayo than two slices of dry bread.

    EDIT: I prefer two 5-oz cans because I squeeze out all the water from the cans (open with can opener, use lid to compress and squeeze out water) and it’s harder to squeeze out most of the water from the large 12-oz can. Two smaller cans works better. I don’t like my tuna watery. My wife does, though; she says it adds a stronger tuna-y flavor to the dish.

  • Brokkr@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Soy sauce, chili sauce, chili crisps, rice vinegar, curry powder, or any combination of them. Adding scallions or grapes is also good (maybe not both, never tried it).

    Lemon juice, pepper, and parmesan is also good.

    Both of the above assume some mayo is used as a base binder.

    Basically fat, acid, salt, and heat (in this case spice, but you can also add bread crumbs and egg to make tuna cakes)

    • Araithya@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 months ago

      Chili crisps! I hadn’t thought of that with tuna, I like to add them to my eggs. Do you have a go to brand? I like the laoganma, but I think it would be too chunky for tuna?

      • Brokkr@lemmy.world
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        10 months ago

        Lao gan ma is my favorite. I like to toast my bread, so the crunchy parts don’t bother me.

        Lee kum kee is also good, or doubanjiang (sometimes spelled tobanjan) is also nice. Doubanjiang might be the generic name for Lee kum kee.

        Or make your own. It’s not hard, easy to make a big batch, but it’s not as good as Lao Gan ma.

  • Match!!@pawb.social
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    10 months ago

    If you’re already putting it into onigiri, try adding pickled plum or pickled ginger

  • thisisbutaname@discuss.tchncs.de
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    10 months ago

    Probably not what you’re looking for but also a neat camping trick so here it is.

    Partially open the lid, stuck a folded paper towel inside it so it soaks up the oil and light it on fire. It’ll burn for several minutes and you can use that heat to cook something else.

    At the end remove the paper towel and the tuna will have been cooked nicely.

    • Araithya@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 months ago

      Not what I’m looking for, but still super interesting! I’m looking to camp more this year, I’ll have to try this!

  • Dr. Wesker@lemmy.sdf.org
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    10 months ago

    When I was living on the road, I used to enjoy making what I’d call “Poor Boys”.

    Tuna + Mayo. Put it in a hotdog bun, along with a leaf of lettuce.

  • SuzyQ@sh.itjust.works
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    10 months ago

    For something totally different: tuna patties

    • 2 cans of tuna, drained
    • 1 egg
    • 1 sleeve of saltine crackers, crushed and divided
    • Worcestershire sauce, optional
    • Favorite frying oil

    Crush crackers into crumbs. Set aside approximately 1/3-1/4 to bread patties. Put remainder into a bowl. Add egg and drained tuna. Add a few dashes of Worcestershire sauce if desired. Mix together and form patties. (I usually get 2 to 4 patties per can.) Coat outside with cracker crumbs, fry in oil until outer crackers are golden brown. Serve and eat.

    Can also be made with canned salmon. My kids like eating them with ketchup or steak sauce. This is actually what I’ll be making for supper tomorrow night. You could totally eat this up with spicy ketchup.

  • TheAlbatross@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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    10 months ago

    Chopped pickles and hot sauce with the.mayo is my go to answer. Or chopped smoked Chipotle in Adobo sauce. Veg like tomato and celery also work well.

  • MrJameGumb@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Maybe add some sliced grapes or chopped walnuts? Or if you want something fermented/pickled maybe add some chopped up kimchi? I bet some radish kimchi would give it a nice crunch

    • KittenBiscuits@lemm.ee
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      10 months ago

      Another fruit/nut combo to try are craisins and slivered almonds. I’m not a fan of raisins unless they’re in cinnamon bread or bagels, but I love substituting craisins in salads and other savory dishes that call for raisins.

    • Araithya@lemmy.worldOP
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      10 months ago

      lol I just recently learned canned salmon was a thing, so you can imagine what will be in my grocery cart this weekend. Love salmon.

  • PlantJam@lemmy.world
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    10 months ago

    Take a look at the flavored pouches of tuna. They’re comparable price to the cans, but they don’t need to be drained.

  • Semi-Hemi-Demigod@kbin.social
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    10 months ago

    Pickle some red onions to go with it. Drop in a chili or two into the brine for some spice.

    If you want to get really crazy, try making your own mayo, too. It’s not as hard as you think and you can control the flavors.