TASTE
Jalapeno mayo gives Texas tuna burgers kick
| • | Kids in the kitchen |
Associated Press
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Getting fine flavor into a low-fat dish with a few common ingredients is a neat trick. It helps to get a hefty nudge from a recipe that's not so pared down, that's topped up with extras, i.e., helpful hints.
A new cookbook, "Prevention's Fit and Fast Meals in Minutes" by Linda Gassenheimer (Rodale, 2006, $19.95 paperback), seems to have that approach as its pattern and deserves review from cooks looking for smart ideas in pursuit of good (healthy) food. The book features some 175 recipes that can be made in 30 minutes or less.
This recipe for burgers for two would be a tasty way to start checking out what the book offers. They are tuna burgers with a Texas taste, the book tells us. That means the juicy burgers, flavored with scallions and onion, get a kick from jalapeno peppers mixed into mayonnaise.
The book puts this recipe in the lunch section, which runs after the breakfast section, and is followed by chapters for dinner (including meatless), desserts and entertaining.
The lunch and dinner recipes each make two servings, but Gassenheimer promises the recipes double easily if you're cooking for more people.
To show how this system works out for the Texas tuna burgers, the recipe follows.
Note: Canned jalapeno peppers can be used instead of fresh, and whole-grain hamburger rolls can be substituted for whole wheat.
TEXAS TUNA BURGER WITH JALAPENO MAYONNAISE
Chop jalapeno peppers in a food processor fitted with a chopping blade. Remove and mix with the mayonnaise. Set aside. Without washing the food-processor bowl, add the tuna, scallions and onion and pulse several times until ingredients are finely chopped. Season to taste. Form into 2 patties, about 4 inches in diameter and 1/2-inch thick. Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat and coat with olive-oil spray. Add the burgers and cook 2 minutes. Turn and cook 2 minutes longer. Place each burger on the bottom half of a hamburger roll. Place several slices of tomato on each burger and, if desired, lettuce leaves over the tomato. Spread the mayonnaise on the top half of the roll and close.
Makes 2 servings.
