Beans with Tuna & Cherry Tomato Sauce

From ‘5 Ingredients 10 Minutes’ Print Book page 160

If you can’t find tuna with chilli, just use plain tuna and add in your own chilli if you feel like some heat. Oh, and this is equally good served cold if you happen to be living though a heat wave.

serves: 2
takes: 10 minutes
1 can tuna in oil with chilli (185g / 6oz)
1 punnet cherry tomatoes (250g / 9oz), halved
2 teaspoons smoked paprika
1 can white, black or red kidney beans (400g / 14oz), drained
1 small bunch flat leaf parsley, chopped

1. Heat a frying pan or skillet on a medium high heat.

2. Add the whole contents of the tuna can, tomatoes and paprika.

3. Cook, stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes or until the tomatoes are starting to break down into a sauce.

4. Add beans and cook until warm.

5. Taste, season and toss in parsley. Serve warm.

Variations

vegan / vegetarian – skip the tuna and replace with a few tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and a couple of chillies and double the tomato. Or replace tuna with a jar of grilled eggplant or peppers (or grill your own). Vegetarian could also skip tuna in sauce and serve with ricotta or poached eggs.

carnivore – replace tuna with 250g (1/2lb) ground (minced) pork/beef, sausages or bacon.

vary the beans – it’s a no brainer to substitute in any canned beans or lentils.

replace the beans with pasta or couscous – the tuna & tomato work wonderfully as a sauce for pasta or couscous.

vary the spice – go for some earthy cumin instead of the paprika for a more exotic touch, or even try your favourite curry powder or garam marsala.

go more salad – either increase the amount of parsley or substitute in a couple of handfuls of salad leaves to give it a fresher, lighter feel.

try a different kettle of fish – substitute salmon or even sardines for the tuna.

carb lovers / more substantial – toss in cooked pasta, serve on a bed of couscous or wrap in flat breads.

more wintery – use a can of tomatoes.

paleo (grain, legume & dairy-free) – replace beans with roast root veg.

Waste Avoidance Strategy

tuna, paprika, beans – pantry.

cherry tomatoes – use for another meal or make these home dried tomatoes.

parsley – use for another meal or freeze. Will wilt when defrosted.

Problem Solving Guide:

too dry? – drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil or a squeeze of lemon or both.

can’t find smoked paprika? – replace with a generous squeeze of lemon.

Serving Suggestions

Serve warm as a meal on it’s own.

Pair it with some wilted greens or super simple broccoli for more of a vegetable hit.

Use as a filling for wraps or tortillas.

Leftover Potential:

Excellent. Either serve cold or gently reheat in a saucepan for a few minutes.