Spanish-style Stuffed Tuna

Ingredients

• 4 tuna fillets (150g each) (5.3 oz) 4 tuna fillets (150g each) (5.3 oz)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml) 1 tablespoon olive oil (15ml)
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped 1 red bell pepper, finely chopped
• 1 zucchini, finely chopped 1 zucchini, finely chopped
• 1 cup breadcrumbs (100g) 1 cup breadcrumbs (100g)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 280 kcal / 1172 KJ
• Fat: 10g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 15g (Sugars: 3g)
• Protein: 32g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. 2.
   Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
3. 3.
   Add the red bell pepper and zucchini to the pan and cook until tender.
4. 4.
   In a bowl, combine the cooked vegetables, breadcrumbs, parsley, paprika, salt, and pepper. Mix well.
5. 5.
   Make a horizontal incision in each tuna fillet to create a pocket for the stuffing.
6. 6.
   Stuff each fillet generously with the vegetable mixture.
7. 7.
   Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Sear the stuffed tuna fillets for 2 minutes on each side.
8. 8.
   Transfer the seared tuna fillets to a baking dish and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes, or until cooked to your desired level of doneness.
9. 9.
   Serve the Spanish-style Stuffed Tuna hot, garnished with fresh parsley.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Tuna fillets — Ensure that the tuna fillets are fresh and of high quality. Look for firm, pinkish flesh with a mild aroma. Avoid overcooking the tuna to maintain its tender texture.
• Breadcrumbs — You can use store-bought breadcrumbs or make your own by toasting and grinding stale bread. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free breadcrumbs or substitute with almond meal.

Tips & Tricks

• For added flavor, marinate the tuna fillets in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, and garlic for 30 minutes before stuffing and cooking.
• Experiment with different herbs and spices in the stuffing mixture, such as thyme, oregano, or smoked paprika, to customize the flavors to your liking.
• If you prefer a crispy crust, you can lightly coat the stuffed tuna fillets with flour or breadcrumbs before searing.

Serving advice

Serve the Spanish-style Stuffed Tuna as a main course accompanied by a side of sautéed vegetables or a fresh green salad. Drizzle some lemon juice over the tuna before serving to enhance the flavors.

Presentation advice

Arrange the stuffed tuna fillets on a platter, garnished with fresh parsley sprigs. The vibrant colors of the vegetables and the golden sear on the tuna will make for an appealing presentation.