How to Make a Tuna Melt
Description
The tuna melt recipe is a classic that combines tuna and cheese in a delicious open-faced sandwich. Chef John's shares a secret specialty here.
Ingredients
•
1 (6 1/2 ounce) jar oil-packed tuna, drained
•
2 tablespoons finely diced celery
•
1 tablespoon minced green onion
•
2 teaspoons capers, drained
•
2 tablespoons mayonnaise, or more to taste
•
1 teaspoon Asian chile paste (such as sambal oelek)
•
1/3 cup fresh mozzarella cheese
•
salt and ground black pepper to taste
•
2 tablespoons softened butter, divided
•
2 thick slices French bread
•
1/4 cup shredded sharp white Cheddar cheese, divided
•
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
Directions
1
Place tuna into a mixing bowl and lightly break it apart with a fork. Add celery, green onion, capers, mayonnaise, and chile paste. Pinch in small pieces mozzarella and stir to mix. Season with salt and black pepper; refrigerate tuna salad until needed.
2
Preheat the oven's broiler. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
3
Spread butter generously on both sides of French bread slices.
4
Broil buttered bread until golden brown on top, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip bread slices and broil other side until toasted, 2 to 3 more minutes. Remove from the oven and turn bread slices over on the baking sheet so the darkest sides are on the bottom.
5
Gently spread tuna salad onto bread slices using 2 forks. Press the salad onto the bread and spread tuna all the way to the edges of the bread. Spread shredded Cheddar over each sandwich. Dust tops with cayenne pepper.
6
Place sandwiches under the broiler and cook until cheese is melted and bubbling, 5 to 6 minutes.