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Recession-Proof Dinners: 5 Meals, 1 Can of Tuna

Posted Mon, Apr 14, 2008, 9:51 pm PDT
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Through thick and thin, a can of tuna remains an affordable, filling, and even versatile dinner option. If you've been getting bored of the ol' mayo and celery act, here are five easy ideas to bring some delight into those trusty tuna-can meals:

1. Quick Pasta Fix  Boil some pasta shells with frozen peas and corn, mix with the tuna, as well as steamed broccoli, chickpeas, and a splash of bottled Italian dressing. Toss, sprinkle some shaved Parmesan cheese on top, and enjoy.

2. Updated Nicoise Salad  Start with a bed of mixed greens or baby spinach. Sprinkle a can of tuna (always drain it first) on top. Add black kalamata olives, sliced boiled potatoes (or deli potato salad), sliced mushrooms, and strips of red pepper. Top it with olive oil, a few squeezes of lemon juice, salt and fresh ground pepper.

3. Dieter's Delight For a healthy mayo-free mix, stir together the tuna with chopped celery, canned sliced water chestnuts, fresh dill, and sweet relish. No dressing required!

4. Mediterranean-Style  Throw together a summery salad of tuna, sliced olives, capers, and chopped tomatoes. This is great on its own or served over a bed of couscous or in scooped-out tomato shells with a spoonful of hummus and a wedge of pita bread.

5. Easy Antipasto  Prepare a restaurant-style antipasto platter. On a plate, arrange a yummy array of chopped celery, mini carrots, steamed cauliflower, sweet mini pickles, zucchini (sautéed for a few minutes in olive oil), sliced mozzarella cheese, and canned artichoke hearts. Add the tuna to the platter with a squeeze of lemon and a little salt and pepper. Eat it with a warm loaf of bread and a dish of olive oil for dipping. Mangia!

Average (302 Ratings): 3 out of 5 stars

  • 1. Posted by tsz2fast on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 3:59 pm PDT

    yummmmm

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  • 2. Posted by isisjuelz on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 4:07 pm PDT

    HOW ABOUT SOMETHING THAT WILL STICK TO YOUR RIBS?

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  • 3. Posted by Tahoe Juls on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 4:13 pm PDT

    Um, this is okay. I like to take chopped romaine lettuce, chopped cucumbers, diced tomato, artichoke hearts, a few lowfat croutons, pile it up, crumble drained tuna on top, add lemon juice & black pepper.....healthy....yummy!!

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  • 4. Posted by ajake38 on Thu, Apr 17, 2008, 4:38 pm PDT

    yung money a money its called a tuna melt joe momma gtfo

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  • 5. Posted by anna a on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:08 pm PDT

    ^ lol

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  • 6. Posted by smelly.kitty on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:10 pm PDT

    Those all sound really good, I like to make a mix of tuna mayo curry and raisins and occasionally i slip some celery in it.

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  • 7. Posted by Elisabet R on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:10 pm PDT

    In my family, we used to make "Galician Salad", boiled and peeled potato slices (and salt), slices of onion, green olives, strips of pimentos, can of tuna (drained), drizzled EVOO. You can also put in fresh parsley, or fresh tomato slices. Its great for a low cal quick fix!

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  • 8. Posted by pillowmintplacementspecialist on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:11 pm PDT

    What about sour cream, onions, celery, tuna, add some seasoning put some slices or shredded cheese on it and melt it in the oven for 15-20minutes then spread on crackers or toast, .......mmmmm much tastier.

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  • 9. Posted by Fitzy on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:11 pm PDT

    Blow me or beat me Brass or percusions Oh wait Period, end of discussion -Bo Burnham(search on youtube)

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  • 10. Posted by Jerry on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:12 pm PDT

    * Cake: * 1/2 c. whole wheat flour * 1/2 c. all purpose unbleached flour * 1/8 tsp. salt * 1/2 tsp. baking soda * 1/3 c. dark brown sugar * 1/4 c. olive oil * 1/4 c. 100% pure maple syrup * 1/4 c. applesauce * 1/2 tsp. vanilla * 1 egg * 1/4 c. milk * 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips * Frosting: * 1/2 c. honey * 3 T. cornstarch * 3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder * 1/2 tsp. salt * 1/2 c. water * 1 T. olive oil * 1/4 tsp. vanilla Directions 1. Cake: 2. Put all ingredients (except chocolate chips) into large bowl. 3. Beat with electric mixer until well blended, then another 60 seconds. 4. Add chocolate chips and stir until blended. 5. Pour into ungreased loaf pan. 6. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes. 7. Frosting: 8. **Type of honey matters. I used wildflower the first time and it was way to strong so I switched it to good ol' plain and it was a much tamer flavor. Also if you find the chocolate flavor not strong enough add more cocoa powder. 9. Put first 4 ingredients into small saucepan. 10. Whisk water into mixture. 11. Heat over medium constantly stirring. 12. Once it thickens & is smooth remove from heat. 13. Stir in oil and vanilla. 14. Spread hot frosting over cooled cake. here is the cake for you

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  • 11. Posted by mwkrantz21 on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:12 pm PDT

    lemon pepper seasoning, dill pickle relish, some mayo or blue cheese dressing, and some lemon juice. Easy tuna salad...make a sandwich and have a beer. Enjoy!

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  • 12. Posted by the gem on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:12 pm PDT

    I LOVE HEARTY MEALS....... LIKE THIS.

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  • 13. Posted by eurobeatlover on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:12 pm PDT

    open can dump in trash, recycle can

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  • 14. Posted by Erin on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:13 pm PDT

    I love tuna quesadillas - tortillas, can of tuna, favorite cheese, some diced green chiles, couple dashes of hot sauce - cooked in a saute pan. Anything you've got on hand can go in 'em!

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  • 15. Posted by malwarebegone on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:13 pm PDT

    Open the can of tuna, splash liberally with Crystal hot sauce, eat with crackers and a Big Red.

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  • 16. Posted by hamhoss1 on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:13 pm PDT

    Hellz yeah, i eat tuna at least 5-6 meals a week and the tuna melt on the good ol forman does it for me every time

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  • 17. Posted by Erin on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:14 pm PDT

    Oh and PS - does it really take two people to write this stuff?!?

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  • 18. Posted by Katherine P on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:14 pm PDT

    tuna with garlic and parsley over pasta!!yum!!!

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  • 19. Posted by eurobeatlover on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:14 pm PDT

    has anyone ever tried that stuff called TUNO, its tuna free tuna for vegans or vegetarians, that stuff makes a mean tuno casserole

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  • 20. Posted by David D on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:14 pm PDT

    Some time ago I was completely out of money. And I mean completely. I had no credit cards and had to wait for my next payday to buy groceries. I have never been so completely moneyless in my entire life. I could only eat what I had, which forced me to be creative. I had tuna but no mayo, so I used salsa instead. From that moment on, I have only made my tuna with salsa. It is healthier than mayo and, frankly, very tasty. Give it a try!

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  • 21. Posted by Jessica on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:15 pm PDT

    I like to mix a can of dranined tuna, diced tomato, shredded lettuce, a dab of mayo, lemon juice and black pepper and spread it on tostada shells. Yummy even without the mayo!

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  • 22. Posted by acruz742003 on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:16 pm PDT

    I love tuna it melts on my mouth

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  • 23. Posted by just me.... on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:16 pm PDT

    I always eat it with mayo, but I put it on a toasted english muffin with butter.. Really fatty but oh so good!

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  • 24. Posted by boston b on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:16 pm PDT

    MJayo bothers my stomach so I mix mine with cottage cheese instead or pineapple cottage cheese makes it almost taste like dessert

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  • 25. Posted by Tony K on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:16 pm PDT

    tuna is still tuna

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  • 26. Posted by singingfaery on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:17 pm PDT

    Jalepenos, shallots, gourmet relish and orange bell peppers with tuna a mayo is fabulous. Mix all to your desired taste. At end, sprinke pepper and salt to taste.

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  • 27. Posted by Michael B on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:18 pm PDT

    yeah these recipies pretty much such. darn, and i was excited since that's about all in the pantry right now lol

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  • 28. Posted by Jerry on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:18 pm PDT

    * Cake: * 1/2 c. whole wheat flour * 1/2 c. all purpose unbleached flour * 1/8 tsp. salt * 1/2 tsp. baking soda * 1/3 c. dark brown sugar * 1/4 c. olive oil * 1/4 c. 100% pure maple syrup * 1/4 c. applesauce * 1/2 tsp. vanilla * 1 egg * 1/4 c. milk * 1/2 c. dark chocolate chips * Frosting: * 1/2 c. honey * 3 T. cornstarch * 3 T. unsweetened cocoa powder * 1/2 tsp. salt * 1/2 c. water * 1 T. olive oil * 1/4 tsp. vanilla Directions 1. Cake: 2. Put all ingredients (except chocolate chips) into large bowl. 3. Beat with electric mixer until well blended, then another 60 seconds. 4. Add chocolate chips and stir until blended. 5. Pour into ungreased loaf pan. 6. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes. 7. Frosting: 8. **Type of honey matters. I used wildflower the first time and it was way to strong so I switched it to good ol' plain and it was a much tamer flavor. Also if you find the chocolate flavor not strong enough add more cocoa powder. 9. Put first 4 ingredients into small saucepan. 10. Whisk water into mixture. 11. Heat over medium constantly stirring. 12. Once it thickens & is smooth remove from heat. 13. Stir in oil and vanilla. 14. Spread hot frosting over cooled cake.

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  • 29. Posted by Scarlett on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:19 pm PDT

    i #$%^&* LOVE tuna and sardines/anchovies in any kind of salad. there are sooo many affordable and healthy mixtures out there.

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  • 30. Posted by Mz. DSTEEL on Tue, Apr 22, 2008, 4:19 pm PDT

    Tuna casserole, noodles, 1 can of tuna, 1 can of cream of mushroom soup, 1/2 cup of shredded cheddar cheese. Cook noodles to al dente, mix with cream of mushroom soup and tuna. put into baking pan, top with shredded cheese, and bake for about 20 minutes. YUMMY! (my grandma used to add a can of peas to this recipe, but I dont care for them.)

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