Description
Delightful white tuna balls showcase Mediterranean culinary magic with simple ingredients. Crispy exterior and creamy center promise a memorable seafood experience you’ll savor with each delectable bite.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cans (5 oz/140 g) white tuna in water, drained
- 1 large egg
- ½ cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsps mayonnaise
- 2 tbsps chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- ½ tsp paprika
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Lemon aioli (optional)
- Tartar sauce (optional)
- Sweet chili sauce (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Empty tuna into a large mixing bowl, delicately breaking into fine flakes using a fork.
- Mixing: Blend tuna with breadcrumbs, eggs, garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until ingredients are fully incorporated and cohesive.
- Forming: Mold the mixture into uniform round balls, each approximately one inch in diameter, using gentle, consistent pressure to ensure compact shape.
- Cooking: Heat olive oil in a heavy skillet over medium heat. Gently place tuna balls into the pan, rotating periodically to achieve an even, golden-brown crust.
- Finishing: Cook until balls are firm and display a rich, caramel-like exterior, ensuring complete internal cooking. Remove from heat and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serving: Plate warm tuna balls alongside preferred dipping sauce, or serve atop pasta, mixed greens, or as a standalone appetizer.
Notes
- Flake Tuna Carefully: Break tuna into fine, delicate pieces to ensure smooth, uniform texture without large chunks that might disrupt the ball’s cohesion.
- Bind Mixture Properly: Ensure eggs and breadcrumbs are perfectly mixed to create a compact consistency that prevents balls from falling apart during cooking.
- Control Cooking Temperature: Maintain medium heat to achieve golden-brown exterior without burning, allowing even cooking through the entire tuna ball.
- Size Matters: Create uniform one-inch balls for consistent cooking time and professional-looking presentation, ensuring each piece cooks identically.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 224
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 430 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 20 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg