A few weeks ago I was exercising while watching the foodnetwork. Yes, I know it is probably a bad idea to exercise while watching cooking shows, but it is about the only time I have time to watch the foodnetwork. So, foodnetwork is often what I watch while exercising.
I end up watching whatever is on at the time I am exercising. Sometimes, it is a show I really like, other times it is something that is just okay and I end up flipping the channels back and forth between news, foodnetwork, and whatever else I can find.
I recently ended up watching Everyday Italian with Giada De Laurnetis. I have only seen this show a few times since it is on at a time I do not usually exercise. The few times I have watched it, I have had mixed feelings. She has some good ideas, but a lot of her recipes call for ingredients that I don’t usually have in my cupboards.
But this particular day she was making several things that I was very interested in. One of the dishes was a tuna panini on focaccia bread. I love tuna sandwiches and I love panini. The combination of the two sounded really good and I had never thought to put them together.
Her recipe calls for Italian tuna, provolone cheese, and frisee lettuce. I decided to take the general idea and make it more practical for my family. I am sure Italian tuna would probably be better, but I just used what I had in my pantry. I also did not like the idea of lettuce on this sandwich because it is a hot sandwich and I prefer my lettuce on cold sandwiches not warm ones. But if you think lettuce sounds good go ahead and put some on. I do however love provolone cheese, but I do not usually keep it on hand. It is a bit expensive for us to use everyday.
I think using regular tuna and mozzarella cheese this sandwich makes a very frugal and simple dinner. Serve it with a regular or fruit salad and you have a great meal.
I used my panini press for this, but you could easily use a pan or grill pan.
I used this tuna because it is what I had.
I like the flavored tuna that comes in the pouch, but since it is more expensive I usually mix it with the plain tuna. So, that is what I did for this.
So here is the version of tuna panini that I made.
Tuna Panini
- 9 ounce or so of tuna, you can vary this amount, just adjust the rest of the ingredients, if using canned tuna drain well,
- 1/3 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper or to taste
- focaccia bread, cut into sandwich size squares and sliced
- mozzarella or provolone cheese, I used mozzarella, but I want to try it with provolone, I think it would give it a little different flavor
Mix together tuna, mayonnaise, salt, and pepper. Spread on foccacia and place cheese on top of tuna. Place bread on top and heat on panini press or grill pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes and flip. Cook until heated through and cheese is starting to melt.
This recipe is linked to Works For Me Wednesday.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Oh yum! That totally made my stomach growl!
I love tuna, and foccacia but never thought to comine them. Yum!
I love this idea. I’m going to have to try it with some of my own twists. Thanks for the tip.
I really like paninis & this sounds like a good sandwich. I’m curious about your panini grill. I’ve thought about getting one, but figure it’s just another appliance to take up space in the kitchen. How much better is the panini grill than just grilling the sandwich in a pan???
Penny I think I will answer that quesion in a post
So, looks for it coming soon.
That’s awesome – thanks!!!