Breton Tuna And White Bean Gratin Recipes

ONE-PAN TUNA-WHITE BEAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350 degrees. In an ovenproof skillet, sauté a chopped onion (or shallots, scallions or leeks) in olive oil over medium-high heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
• Add red-pepper flakes, salt and garlic cloves. Throw in the rosemary sprig, if using. Add anchovy fillets, if using. Cook for another 2 minutes, until the garlic is slightly golden and very fragrant.
• Add the white beans and the wine. Let it simmer until the liquid evaporates and the beans are soft, about 5 minutes, then mash the beans with a potato masher or a fork. Make them as smooth or lumpy as you like. You just want to release some of their starch. Turn off the heat.
• Now, add the milk and the tuna. If you have the oil-packed kind, add the oil. If you have the water-packed kind, drain them, and drizzle in more olive oil.
• Mash the tuna into the beans, leaving it a little chunky. Mix in the herbs, lemon zest and add lots of black pepper. Finally, mix in 2 to 4 tablespoons of any kind of grated cheese. Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.
• Spread the mixture evenly in the skillet, and top it with potato chips. Scatter on more grated cheese, about another 2 tablespoons, and dot the top with little nuggets of butter.
• Bake until the tuna mixture bubbles around the edges, 20 to 25 minutes. If you want the potato chips to get more brown, you could run the whole pan under the broiler. Finish with lemon juice.

NOVA SCOTIA FISH CAKES

Steps:

• Put the fish and milk in a medium saucepan. Refrigerate at least an hour.
• Peel the potatoes and put in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are soft. Drain thoroughly, mash and season well with salt and pepper.
• In a small skillet, melt butter, add scallions and cook until soft, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Remove the fish from the refrigerator and place over medium-low heat. Bring the milk to a simmer and cook the fish until flaky, 5 to 7 minutes; do not overcook. Remove from heat, drain off the milk and allow to cool. Using a fork, break the fish into large flakes.
• Lightly beat one of the eggs and stir into the cooled potato mixture with the scallions and Worcestershire sauce. Add the flaked fish and 1 tablespoon of the parsley and gently fold into the mixture. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes.
• Taste for seasoning and adjust if needed. Form patties about 3 1/2 inches in diameter and 1 inch thick for entree portions, or 2 inches in diameter for appetizer portions.
• Beat the remaining 2 eggs in a small bowl and put the bread crumbs in another. Dip the patties first in the beaten egg and then the bread crumbs. Heat about 1/8 of an inch of oil in a frying pan, adding more as needed. Fry the patties for just a few minutes on each side until golden. Drain on paper towels and sprinkle with the remaining parsley. Serve warm with lemon, tartar sauce, chutney or chowchow.