1/09/2011

Sunday Dinner

Pin It

Spuma di Tonno
Rosemary Grissini

Lasagna with Béchamel
Roasted Fennel
Broccolini with Gremolata


Chocolate-Layered Espresso Jellies



One of my favorite things to do with my free time is to go to the library and get lost in the stacks of cookbooks.  I pull books on classic techniques, French bistro food, chocolate and baking and create my own culinary world.  Unfortunately, for the past year and a half, our local library moved to a small and temporary location in order to renovate and improve the original building.   Getting lost in the stacks of cookbooks wasn't an option.  Yesterday, however, was the grand re-opening of the new and improved library.  Yeah!  To celebrate I thought I would put this appetizer recipe on our Sunday dinner menu.

I found this recipe a few years ago while getting lost in the stacks.  It was in the book Mediterranean Summer by David Shalleck.  It is about an American chef that spends an idyllic summer cooking for a wealthy couple aboard their yacht while sailing through the Côte d'Azur--a great read.  This recipe he developed was a favorite that summer and I have to say it is now a favorite of ours.

Spuma di Tonno, or tuna mousse, is super simple to prepare and has an incredible taste.  You won't believe how quickly this disappears.  I have even converted some non tuna likers with this spread. I serve it with Rosemary Grissini, but it is equally delicious on crostini or on thin slices of baguette for a passable hors d'oeurve.  I do hope you give it a try.











Spuma di Tonno
makes 1 1/2 cups

*The recipe can easily be halved

2 5-oz cans of oil-packed tuna (I use Genova Tonno), drained
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tablespoon reduced sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, ar room temperature
2 tablespoons crème fraîche
kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

In the bowl of a food processor, add the tuna and pulse to break up the pieces.  Add the lemon juice, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and butter and puree.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl and season with salt and pepper.  Add the crème fraîche and puree the mixture until smooth.  Transfer to a serving bowl and serve at room temperature.  Can be kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3 days.  Allow to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.  Enjoy!


Source: Adapted from Mediterranean Summer







11 comments:

  1. I love a good tuna recipe and am fond of Italian food. Thanks for sharing this. It sounds delicious and easy to make.

    ReplyDelete
  2. This is one of Dad's favorite appetizers that you fix. You're right...it disappears very quickly. Most are surprised when you tell them that it is tuna. Another winner.Great blog!

    ReplyDelete
  3. This sounds delicious! I've recently become really into seafood-y spreads. I've been buying them mostly at the supermarkets, but the recipe sounds easy enough!

    ReplyDelete
  4. This may be your best picture yet!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Jessica-
    Thank you. It is delicious.

    Erin-
    Thank you. It is hard taking a picture of flat beige food.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Nicole!
    What fun! I'm so glad you told me about your blog. Kudos to you for a lovely site. I've only just started poking around, but you've definitely seduced me with this tuna spread and the lovely caper berries in the photo (i love them!)

    I look forward to revisiting! And I like the shout out to the new library. I too can't wait to get lost in the stacks.

    -Andrea

    ReplyDelete
  7. Andrea-
    Thank you for stopping by.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Saw you off foodgawker. This spread looks awesome! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  9. ok so i'm browsing your archives :) can i get your broccoli recipe? desperately looking for veggie recipes!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Melissa-
    I don't really have a recipe for that one. Maybe its time I did:) I blanch the broccolini first, then plunge into an ice bath. For the gremolata, I finely mince a few garlic cloves and mix in a bowl with the zest of a lemon, a few tablespoons of fresh flat-leaf parsley, salt and pepper, We ready to serve, I heat a couple tablespoons in a large skillet, sauté the broccolini to warm through and add the gremolata mixture tossing to coat.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for visiting my blog! I love hearing from family, friends, and bloggers, so please leave a comment. Happy cooking!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...