15 Healthy Canned Tuna Recipes

A can of tuna is a lot of things: it’s a staple of the thrifty and a godsend for those times when you don’t really feel like cooking. It’s the chicken of the sea and a protein you can stockpile in your pantry. But what canned tuna really is, above all, is an excuse to get creative—tuna salad sandwiches are just the tip of the iceberg. It can be a fantastic addition to pasta, salads, and more. Here are 15 ways to build a meal around a can of tuna, from the frugal to the regal.

1. Grown-Up Tuna Salad

Chowhound

A heavy-on-the-mayo, old school tuna salad has it’s place as a sandwich icon. But there are some familiar foods that benefit from a little pick me up every now and then. With fennel, parsley, and a hint of lemon zest, this version subtly brings an extra flourish. Get our Grown-Up Tuna Salad recipe.

2. Curried Tuna Sandwich

Saveur

On the other hand, there are some times when the classics demand a complete transformation. This curried tuna salad with currant and apricot has sweet and spice, forgoing the usual white bread for naan. Get the recipe here.

3. Tuna, Olive, Avocado, and Green Bean Salad

There are some nights when a salad for dinner will do. This one fits the bill perfectly, offering plenty of veggies and protein to satisfy. Get our Tuna, Olive, Avocado, and Green Bean Salad recipe.

4. Niçoise Salad

Chowhound

Of course, then there’s the Niçcoise, the original salad with heft to spare. Packed with tuna, egg, potato, and olive, it evokes summer on the French Riviera. Get our Niçoise Salad recipe.

5. Spicy Tuna Guacamole Bowls

Budget Bytes

Not many meals come together with just a bit of light chopping and a drizzle of sriracha, but this one accomplishes that feat. Loaded with tuna, avocado, carrot, cucumber, and edamame, it’s a healthful option for lunch or dinner. Get the recipe here.

6. Tuna Salad Stuffed Avocado

Bright Eyed Baker

Pile it on! These ingenious boats fit creamy tuna salad right into the rounded center of the avocado. Get the recipe here.

7. Gruyère Tuna Melt

Chowhound

Creamy, cheesy, and sloppy in all the best ways, a tuna melt is like a hug you can taste. Although there are endless variations on them to be found, this one with gruyère toasts and melts oh so nicely. Get our Gruyère Tuna Melt recipe.

8. Tuna Melt Potato Skins

Chowhound

Prefer to skip the bread? Then put it in a potato! These tuna and cheese filled skins make it easy to share the gooey goodness with friends. Get our Tuna Melt Potato Skins recipe.

9. Tuna-Noodle Casserole with Cauliflower

Martha Stewart

Tuna casserole may stand out as one of those retro culinary oddities best left for the dinnertime graveyard. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth revamping. This take lightens it up and adds some fresh cauliflower and parsley, transforming it into a recipe you’d even be proud to serve to guests. Get the recipe here.

10. Zuni’s Pasta with Preserved Tuna

Food52

Some pasta dishes achieve greatness simply by balancing a few distinctive flavors. This fine example from San Francisco’s Zuni Cafe does so through headstrong contrasts and delightful clashes, pairing tuna’s fishy flavor with capers, preserved lemon, and fennel seed. Get the recipe here.

11. Tuna and Cannellini Bean Bruschetta

Chowhound

Whether you’re hosting a crowd or just a few hungry snackers, these bruschetta make for elegant finger foods on the cheap. Get our Tuna and Cannellini Bean Bruschetta recipe.

12. Tuna Patties

Simply Recipes

Think of these as crab cakes for the budget conscious. With a list of ingredients that comes straight from the average pantry, you can put these together without much fuss at all. Get the recipe here.

13. Tuna Gimbap

Korean Bapsang

Gimbap is Korea’s take on the maki roll. Filled with a finely textured tuna salad, these little rounds are easy-to-make alternatives to the ones filled with pricey premium tuna. Get the recipe here.

14. Spanish Tuna-Stuffed Piquillo Peppers

Serious Eats

This tapas classic can be made straight from the can. Or two cans, rather: one of oil-packed bonito tuna and another of bright and sweet piquillo peppers. Get the recipe here.

15. Italian Tuna-and-Rice Salad

Chowhound

Featuring olives, sun-dried tomato, and a scoop of long grain rice, it’s a tuna salad, but not in any ordinary sense. Get our Italian Tuna-and-Rice Salad recipe.

For more tips, tricks, and recipes, check out our healthy eating page. 

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2G6I80z
via IFTTT

What Is the Difference Between a Crock-Pot and an Instant Pot?

You probably love your slow cooker. Your Crock-Pot (yup, that’s a proper noun, brand name!) has been helping you to make hearty soups, stews, and all sorts of marinated meats since the 70s. But if it’s the old faithful of cooking appliances, the Instant Pot is the trendy new kid in town. By now you’ve probably heard of the Pot. While it’s been around for less than a decade, this seemingly magical device and its ability to literally cook anything has us wondering if the honeymoon phase will ever end. So far it hasn’t.

While both are handy, they serve wildly different purposes and operate in different ways. Let us break down the pros and cons of each.

For starters, slow cookers generally serve one function. All you have to do is throw a bunch of ingredients in it, plug it in, and let it simmer at a low temperature for hours. It facilitates easy, unattended cooking and is great for roasts, soups, stews, and many other meals.

Instant Pots, however, serve many purposes. The latest version is a seven-in-one device that can function as a pressure cooker, slow cooker, rice cooker, yogurt maker, sauté/searing pan, steamer, and warming pot. Basically it does everything except wash dishes.

Because of the Instant Pots’ ability to do literally everything, there is a steeper learning curve than your basic “set it and forget it” Crock-Pot. But once you take it step-by-step, it’s pretty easy to get a handle on all the buttons and setting options.

You may also be asking if it’s worth having a Crock-Pot in addition to an Instant Pot, since it also functions as a slow cooker.  That’s totally up you (and the size of your kitchen). In the meantime, here are some recipes designed for the appliance of your choice:

Easy Slow Cooked Pulled Pork

It’s a fact: The tenderest and easiest pulled pork is made in slow cooker. Take a pork shoulder, smother in spices, and put it on a bun for a hearty sandwich that doubles as dinner. Get our Easy Slow Cooked Pulled Pork recipe.

Slow Cooker Hot Wings

Use your Crock Pot for tender, well-marinated hot wings. Get our Slow Cooker Hot Wings recipe just in time for the Super Bowl or any time when you’re craving spicy chicken.

Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup

Creamy peas, veggies, and herbs make the ultimate comfort soup. There’s nothing easier than our Slow Cooker Split Pea Soup recipe. Perfect for lazy, winter days.

Pressure Cooker Cola-Braised Beef Short Ribs

Soda is the magic ingredient to this short rib recipe. The sweetness of the cola balances the spiciness of the rub, making for some exceptionally flavored beef. Get our Pressure Cooker Cola-Braised Beef Short Ribs recipe.

Instant Pot Minestrone Soup

Life Made Sweeter

Loaded with veggies and beans, minestrone is the perfect savory soup for vegetarians and omnivores alike. Serve with a crusty loaf of bread and you’re all set. Get the recipe.

Instant Pot Carnitas

40 Aprons

Here’s a perfect, paleo-friendly, Mexican dish that can be made in under half an hour. That’s the power of the Instant Pot! Get the recipe.

Instant Pot Garlic Honey Chicken and Rice

365 Days of Slow Cooking

An Asian twist on classic chicken and rice, just another one-pot wonder courtesy the Instant Pot! Get the recipe.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2G6mSID
via IFTTT

Unconventional Dishes You Can Make In Your Crock-Pot

So you resolved to use your kitchen gadgets more often and you’re one of the good ones who actually did. The Crock-Pot hasn’t left your counter top since you blearily stumbled through assembling hangover chili on January 1, ever the resolute one. But something is stopping you from truly gloating in self-congratulation; could it be the growing impulse to put some distance between you and the beloved crock via dropkick if you have to eat one…more…stew? Or chili? Or soup? Now that you mention it, eating with a fork again might be nice.

Before you lace up your best punting boots or relegate the device to the forlorn nether regions of your kitchen cabinets again, consider this: your Crock-Pot is good for a whole lot more than just hearty, spoon-worthy dinners. Turns out, your Crock-Pot is good for just about everything. So rejuvenate your relationship with the crock by hitting pause on your one-person soup kitchen and delving into all the various dishes your slow cooker is capable of.

Breakfast

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole from Family Fresh Meals

Flip the timeline on your Crock-Pot capers—rather than set it in the morning to ready dinner for yourself, try setting it up at bedtime to provide you with a hearty, warming breakfast. Naturally, overnight oatmeal or grain cereal is one easy option, but you can even treat yourself to weekday brunch (mimosa optional) with something like this cheesy egg and hashbrown casserole. Get the recipe.

Pasta

Easy Crockpot Baked Ziti from Build Your Bite

Okay, so maybe you’re not totally a breakfast person, but who among us is not a pasta person? Everything from macaroni and cheese to lasagna can be made slow-cooker style. Or for the best odds between preparation simplicity and crowd-pleaseability, roll out this Crock-Pot baked ziti. Forks all around! Get the recipe.

Beverages

Slow Cooker Mulled Wine from the View From Great Island

Forget utensils altogether…it is still hot beverage season, after all. Set the timer, grab your sled, go outside, and return to already-waiting-for-you hot chocolate, hot cider, pumpkin spice latte, or best of all, mulled wine. Get the recipe.

Whole Meats

Slow Cooker Brown Sugar Pork Loin from The Spruce

Think of your slow cooker as an electric, compact dutch oven—it functions much in the same way by providing a base of direct heat with ambient, consistent indirect heat that can cook slowly over a long period of time. Anything that you might put in the dutch oven is fair game for the Crock-Pot, even a whole chicken, brisket, or this sweet and savory pork tenderloin. For best results, enjoy a glass or two (or a bottle) of wine while inhaling the succulent aroma and sharpening your carving knife. Get the recipe.

Whole Spuds

Crockpot Baked Potatoes from Genius Kitchen (photo by May I Have That Rec)

If your kitchen is the sort where your oven is used for extra storage out of necessity, and to use your oven for cooking means to render every other kitchen surface unavailable while you divest it of its contents, then you’ll be pleased to hear that the time has come when you can again simply bake a potato in your Crock-Pot. Same goes for making corn on the cob, sweet potatoes, or really any root vegetables. Get the recipe.

Yogurt

Slow Cooker Yogurt from Bless This Mess Please

This is not a drill. For the price of a half gallon of milk and a single cup of plain yogurt you can outfit yourself in parfaits for more than a week. You can even make the granola and jam in the crock. That’s a savings of like…well, suffice to say you’ll have extra pennies to put toward your next gadget purchase. Get the recipe.

Dessert

Slow Cooker Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars from Wide Open Eats

You didn’t even think to go here, I bet. But if it’s a cake, a custard, or a crumble, it’s probably crock-worthy. Or even brownies, baked apples, and bread pudding. Basically there are enough Crock-Pot dessert options available to conceivably result in a similar level of dessert fatigue. No, wait. I take it back. That doesn’t exist. I’ll just be over here eating this giant chocolate chip cookie. Get the recipe.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2DYqFa5
via IFTTT

8 All-Star Appetizers to Please Any Super Bowl Fan

The Super Bowl is one of the biggest football holidays of the year, and it’s also one of the biggest food holidays. There are no rules: Nachos, wings, foot-long subs, and endless chips and dip are all allowed on this holy day. Take pleasure in this respite from healthy choices and host a celebration with all your favorites. Check out these tried-and-true Super Bowl recipes for a winning selection of party snacks.
Header image and recipe for Easy Potato Skins from Chowhound

1. Pizza Pull-Apart Bread

Pull-apart pizza bread combines so many good things in one delicious package. Mozzarella, provolone, and pepperoni slices are nestled into a sourdough boule, and once put in the oven, the whole thing becomes a cheesy pull-apart snack that’s easy to share. Try dipping the cheesy bread in ranch or marinara sauce the same way you’d dip breadsticks.
Photo and recipe from Boring Pittsburgh

2. Warm and Creamy Bacon Dip

Bacon dip is a meat lover’s dream come true. This dip is good cold, but it’s absolutely amazing when served warm. There isn’t anything that wouldn’t taste good after scooping it in this dip filled with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, chopped scallions, and chopped-up bacon.
Photo and recipe from Unsophisticook

3. Super Nachos

Rachael Ray’s super nachos are made with two varieties of corn chips and baked in the oven. You can toss in any fresh herbs you have on hand and substitute different types of cheese. The beef and beans topping (with a full pound of sirloin) packs enough protein to make this a great game day entrée.
Photo and recipe from Food Network

4. Mini Pigs in a Blanket

Premade dough (like a can of crescent rolls) really speeds up the process when you’re trying to make a game day plate of cocktail weenies. Forget ketchup and mustard and make a more interesting dipping sauce: For starters, take some mayonnaise and Sriracha and mix together for an easy sauce that packs a punch.
Photo and recipe from The 2 Seasons

5. Buffalo Chicken Wings

A Super Bowl party isn’t complete without a great plate of chicken wings. These sticky wings with hot sauce are amazing dipped in a bowl of blue cheese dressing. The dressing recipe here includes eight ounces of blue cheese, mayonnaise, buttermilk, and spices—try adding some cayenne for an extra kick.
Photo and recipe from A Culinary Journey with Chef Dennis

6. 47-Layer Dip

To paraphrase Buzzfeed’s Rachel Sanders, “7-Layer Dip is for babies.” This ultimate 47-layer dip is crazy: chorizo, ground beef, dill pickles, red cabbage, jalapeños, Kraft mac ‘n’ cheese—the list is endless. The Super Bowl is probably one of the few days of the year that you can justify attempting this crazy feat.
Photo and recipe from BuzzFeed

7. Cheddar and Horseradish Spread

This tangy spread is begging for some Ritz Crackers. Grated cheddar, a little white wine, sour cream, paprika, and horseradish come together to make a spicy and creamy dip that is also outstanding when smeared on a crusty baguette. Make at least a double batch and don’t be ashamed to try it with potato chips.
Photo and recipe from Bon Appétit

8. Smoked Bacon Beer Nuts

Who knew that nuts simmered in beer would be so delicious? This recipe involves simmering dry-roasted peanuts in beer until they’re caramelized with brown sugar, and then tossing the nuts with four strips of thick-cut bacon. Mixed together, this is a bar snack you can’t refuse for your football-lover’s spread.
Photo and recipe from BeerChow.com

For more Super Bowl recipes and other advice and tips, check out our Super Bowl headquarters!

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2DXZfB2
via IFTTT

Easy Healthy Cooking Tips

If you made a New Year’s resolution to eat healthier, you’re not alone, and if you’ve already been struggling with that goal, you’re really not alone. To help you stay motivated and enjoy your endeavor, we’ve pulled six of our favorite healthy cooking tips videos from the archives. Watch these while you’re bored on the elliptical machine and have a happy, healthy New Year!

1. How to Make a Beautiful Hummus Appetizer

Donna Sky, owner of the Love & Hummus Co., knows that hummus, if not handled properly, can become the world’s ugliest appetizer. In this CHOW Tip, she shares a quick idea for how to present hummus to guests in a pretty package. Serve it to yourself like this at lunch too if that makes it more appealing! Get more healthy hummus recipes here.

2. How to Roast Tofu

Chef and author Bryant Terry roasts tofu according to a very simple recipe. The results are delicious as is or with the addition of your favorite sauce; Bryant likes barbecue sauce, pesto, or curry.

3. Question the Salad Dressing Status Quo

Andrew Swallow, author of Mixt Salads: A Chef’s Bold Creations and founder of Mixt Greens, wants to help you avoid the “lipstick” problem that your average 3-to-1 ratio for vinaigrette presents. All that oil equals shiny, shiny lips. Instead, try making a vinaigrette with a 2-to-1 or even 1-to-1 ratio. It’ll bring out the flavor of your salad’s ingredients better and won’t oil up your face.

4. How to Make a Vegan Smoothie That Tastes Like Apple Pie

Tess Masters, a blogger who goes by the nickname The Blender Girl, specializes in vegan and vegetarian blender recipes. Here she demonstrates how to make a vegan smoothie that actually tastes like apple pie! (See more healthy smoothie hacks here, and dairy-free smoothie recipes here.) Get the Vegan Apple Pie Smoothie recipe.

5. How to Make a Healthy, Creamy Soup

Healthy soups don’t have to be watery and bland. Margo True, food editor at Sunset magazine, shares the secret to making a creamy and rich romesco soup without using any cream at all. Get the Romesco Soup recipe.

6. How to Make Low-Calorie, Low-Fat Brownies That Still Taste Good

Brownies are one of life’s great pleasures. In this CHOW Tip Marisa Churchill, author of Sweet & Skinny: 100 Recipes for Enjoying Life’s Sweeter Side Without Tipping the Scales, shares a few easy ingredient substitutions so that indulging in brownies doesn’t necessarily mean having to indulge in bigger pants. Get the Double-Chocolate Brownies recipe.

For more tips, tricks, and healthy recipes, check out our healthy living page.

NOTE: This article was updated on January 22, 2018 to fix formatting and link issues.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2rqQYDm
via IFTTT

Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms

I’m a card-carrying member of the Delicata Squash Club. When I see mounds of delicata squash at the market, I make a beeline.

This squash takes so well to roasting — the sweet flesh hardly needs any adornment because it has so much flavor. The skin is also edible, so there’s no need to peel. After roasting, you can cut right through the skin with a fork!

Continue reading "Stuffed Delicata Squash with Quinoa and Mushrooms" »

from Simply Recipes http://ift.tt/2n0IBcQ
via IFTTT

Adopt a Maple Syrup Tree For the Breakfast Lover in Your Life

If you ever wanted to adopt a child or a dog but thought it would be too much responsibility, here’s an opportunity that might interest you. Kettle Ridge Farm in upstate New York is offering you the chance to adopt a maple syrup tree. The adoption package includes a certificate, GPS coordinates of your tree’s exact location, multiple flasks of syrup (of course), and homemade granola. For an additional fee, you can even visit the farm and get the opportunity to learn to tap a tree yourself. The best part is you’ll never have to feed or walk it. Now that is the kind of relationship we can commit to.

It’s an amazing Valentine’s Day gift for the breakfast lover in your life.  What could literally be sweeter than your own source of syrup? We’ll take a tree over roses any day! It may sound unconventional, but we’re such saps! (Pun totally intended.)

But in addition to getting a personalized source of pancakes and waffle toppings, you’ll also be helping the environment and the farm’s sustainability initiatives. According to the Kettle Ridge Farm’s Kickstarter page:

“Maple syrup production is a continually threatened industry due to climate change, various tree diseases and cheap (and not so healthy) alternatives in the marketplace. We’re doing everything within our power to keep the maple sugaring tradition alive and educate the public on the health benefits associated with maple products. Our main goal for the future is to construct a brand new sugarhouse, including a certified commercial kitchen and indoor event space right here at the farm.”

You can learn more about the Adopt-a-Maple program on the farm’s website and start brainstorming names for your future tree baby. Might we suggest, Charles, or maybe Matilda? Something with the kind of class and dignity syrup deserves.

from Food News – Chowhound http://ift.tt/2G6t5nU
via IFTTT