My Tuna Cakes

Well, as a girl on a budget, I have to watch what I spend.  Every penny of it.

But, just because I have to live on the cheap doesn't mean I don't want tasty food. 

Enter my friend the tuna cake.

Nope, these aren't the ones your grandma used to make that you used to pawn off on a younger sibling...or the family dog.  

Most people cringe at the site or mention of these, but not me.  I love them.  Must bring back memories.  I didn't really eat them as a kid (one day, I'll tell you about my very limited diet), so I have no horrific tales to tell about tuna.  I just made them one day because they reminded me of a crab cake.  And while the flavor was different, it was still delicious! 

These have been my savior.  I made a huge batch of them one night...and my roomie and I gobbled them up.  I have made them again and froze them....just to reheat for nights I don't feel like I have time to do anything in the kitchen.  They are perfect with a side of couscous, rice, or pasta.  I served them with orzo pasta, veggies, and parmesan cheese.  The italian bread crumbs (I used panko) made the difference, as did the lemon. 

Lemon just brightens everything up, don't you think??? 

I loved how hearty they were and how filling!  MMMM...protein!  Always a great way to fill up without weighing yourself (or your wallet) down.  Canned tuna is a great go-to cheap protein option (hmmm, I sense another blog post on that topic alone).

I sauteed them in heart healthy canola oil in my cast iron skillet.  That crunchy brown crust it got on both sides just makes life worth living.  I mean, life is too short not to eat golden brown crust!

Happy Wednesday!  We are almost to that highly anticipated long weekend! 

What do you have planned for dinner tonight? 

Enjoy!
See ya'll Friday!
-B

Yummy Meaty Tuna Cakes
made 6 cakes
adapted from $5 Dollar Dinners

Print this recipe!

Ingredients:
3 cans of water packed tuna, drained (I used the regular size cans...I think 5 or 6 oz)
2 tbsp light mayonnaise
1 large egg
2/3 cup of italian style panko bread crumbs (I wanted that hearty texture)
the juice of 1 whole lemon
salt and pepper to taste
canola oil or cooking spray (depending on pan...see note 3 below)


Directions:
1.  Drain tuna cans and place in large bowl, breaking up bigger pieces until they are roughly the same size.
2.  Add your mayonnaise, bread crumbs, egg and mix well.  Add in lemon juice, salt, pepper and mix again.  
3.  Pour a thin layer of canola oil in the bottom of a heavy skillet (I used my cast iron pan, though if I didn't have that, I would have used my stainless steel skillet).  If using nonstick skillet, use cooking spray instead. Preheat over medium heat.
4.  Shape into patties (my batch made 6 medium sized patties) just like you would a burger.  
5.  Place in skillet and let saute on one side until golden brown, 4 to 5 minutes (WATCH THESE as they could burn quickly) and flip on the other side to finish, about 3 to 4 minutes.
6.  Serve with a carb of some sort and some veggies.


Enjoy!