Okay listen.
I know this looks… boring. Plain. Nothing short of one seriously boring lunch.
And maybe it is. The good old tuna fish sandwich tends to get reviews ranging from a classic favorite to utterly disgusting, and this doesn’t have sprinkles or glitter or chocolate or peanut butter which things normally have to contain to catch my very cliched little eye.
But it’s like, such an easy lunch idea.
You might remember that a few years ago I mashed avocado into my tuna to create an atypical salad, and it pretty much changed my life. I think I ate it on toast for six days straight, and every time I’m reminded of it, I still end up doing so.
Obviously this is my take on the (what I like to refer to as God-awful) standard tuna-stuffed tomato, which for some reason I could just never get behind. I’m not sure why, but I’ve always found the dish disturbing and – next to plate of steamed vegetables with no butter or salt – the least likely thing I’d ever order. Ever evah. I’m sure it had to do with the whole veg-phobia and mayo overload, but it just never appealed to me.
Unnnnntil now. Roasted tomato obsession? Check. Somewhat of a weird and freakish tuna obsession? Double check. [I can't help it people, it reminds me of my childhood and my grandma and my mom and just a bunch of warm, fuzzy things wrapped up in a cuddly blanket and covered in snowflakes.]
So get this: as soon as I was finished photographing these, I layered them on thick slices of that toasted harvest bread from Whole Foods that I adore, and added an extra sprinkle of parmesan. Gah. It was just such a great lunch. And so simple! What does this meeeeeean?
Mini Roasted Tomato Cups with Avocado, White Bean + Tuna Mash
Yield: serves 2-4, as part of a meal
Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients:
8 small to medium tomatoes, cut in half (I used campari tomatoes, which seemed to be the perfect size)
2 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
3 ounces white chunk or albacore tuna, drained
1/3 cup cooked cannellini beans
1/2 ripe avocado
1 1/2 tablespoons fresh chopped basil leaves
2 ounces white cheddar cheese
3 tablespoons panko bread crumbs
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Using a knife or spoon (I actually used a grapefruit knife), gently scoop out the seeds and flesh of he tomato. Discard or eat if desired. Drizzle 2 tablespoons of olive oil over tomatoes, then 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Roast for 12-15 minutes, just until tomatoes are juicy and soft. Don’t over-roast here because the “cups” will collapse and be unstuffable.
While tomatoes are roasting, add tuna, white beans and avocado to a large bowl. Mash with a fork until your desired consistency is reached, then add in remaining olive oil, salt and pepper, along with basil. Mash and mix well.
Remove tomatoes and gently spoon a teaspoon or 2 of tuna mixture into the tomato cups. Cover with a sprinkling of cheese and panko, then bake for another 5-8 minutes until cheese is melted and tuna is warm. Serve!
Totally going to make this up to you tomorrow. Trust me.
I’m Jessica and this is where I share my stuff. You will find a balance of healthy recipes, comfort food and indulgent desserts.
Doesn’t look boring to me – it’s a flavorful mix of ingredients! I’m still looking forward to what you have in store tomorrow though :D
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Oh, this doesn’t look boring to me. You mention you have done tuna and avocado? What a wonderful idea, I never thought of that!! Love this dish!
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I have an abundance of CSA tomatoes so this is perfect for me! I’ll take this over sprinkles any day. But I’m weird.
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add sprinkles, fixes boring and ruins taste :D
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So not boring. love all the flavours and ingredients. And combined it must be incredible. And so much more fun than regular sandwiches. Boring. Plus anything roasted is hella good.
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These are so cute I could just eat a million of them!
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There is absolutely nothing boring about tuna, tomatoes, and avocado! Love that flavor combo!
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oooohhhh. mmmm geee!
Jessica, these look incredible. I’ve never thought to do this seeing as I’ll put anything on toast, I must say, this sounds perfect. it’s in my future … my near future
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This is not breaking news, but you are such a talented writer. I can’t wait to read your fiction novel someday while eating one of these for a plain, boring, delicious lunch. Props to you girl!
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Jessica — August 2nd, 2012 @ 12:05 pm
You are so kind – thank you so much!
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See how your spoon is right over that tomato cup? My mouth is like, r.i.g.h.t. h.e.r.e. Move over a smidge and spoon me up.
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Ooh yum! I adore tuna, and stuffing things… like tomatoes, zucchini, artichokes…. my face. These sound awesome!
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I <3 tuna so much! These sound good. I think I'd probably have to have some crusty bread with them.
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I love tuna with mashed avocado!! Soo delicious, this sounds great!
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Hey there is nothing wrong with simple yummie food! Always good to have ideas for a tastey quick meal! I mean after all, most of your recipes are filled with thease wonderful crazy sounding combinations. We all need a reality break to the basics every once in awhile. Yummie stuff! :D
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This is like a 1 million percent improvement on both tuna salad and the roasted tomatoes + tuna salad that I grew up eating. Great idea with the avocado addition!
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I adore tuna with avocado and my roasted tomato obsession is still in full swing. Loving these!
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We must have different ideas of boring. I sometimes eat bowls of cheerios for lunch….so, this wins.
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Smashing avocado into the salad is a great idea- this looks like a perfect lunch!! PERFECT!
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Uhh a new way to eat tuna? That’s even more amazing than sprinkles (although maybe I’ll be thinkin’ differently tomorrow). This looks good!
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Seriously, this does not look boring to me one bit. I love tuna salad although I hardly ever make it…you CANNOT go wrong since you combined avocado & white beans! Swoon!
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Some may deem it as gross, but I am a tuna-fiend. Not so much of a mayo fan, but the thought of mashed avocado with said tuna sounds incredible. But today’s recipe has me wanting to run home and roast the tomatoes on my counter and stuff them with tuna delishness rather than chopping them up in a boring salad!
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love this.
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I love roasted tomatoes, I always make them with farmer cheese, ricotta and mozzarella, plus lots of garlic and basil! Have to try them with some tuna, sounds delicious!
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These almost make me want to be ‘that coworker’ that brings tuna fish into the office.
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Jessica — August 2nd, 2012 @ 12:02 pm
Ha. That was always the worst.
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this looks yummy, but I am not a tuna fan…so what could I replace that with you think?
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Jessica — August 2nd, 2012 @ 1:05 pm
You could probably do a chicken salad? Or any type or usual mayo-based salad?
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Nicole — September 11th, 2012 @ 2:42 pm
I think you can just leave it out and maybe add more white beans. Or use chickpeas instead of white beans.
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what do you think about using HUMMUS instead of the beans?
i want to make these so badly.
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Jessica — August 2nd, 2012 @ 1:04 pm
I’ve tried tuna with (traditional) hummus and personally am not a fan. Not really sure why – I thought I’d love it since I adore hummus and am not a huge mayo fan, but it just tastes sort of weird to me. It could just be me though. That’s why I went with the plain mashed beans.
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Nothing you make is boring. The end.
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I think this looks delicious! And am a firm believer that sometimes the simplest dishes are the best :)
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We think this looks delicious! Had to share with our Facebook fans. Thanks for posting!
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This looks so amazing. You are so creative, Jessica!
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I’ve never met a boring recipe on this page. Love it :)
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You have the most amazingly delicious and creative recipes on the web right now! I LOVE YOUR FOOD SO MUCH I WANT TO MELT IN ALL THIS DELICIOUSNESS :) I was wondering, I am looking for a party cake recipe for the end of summer and the funfetti icebox cake caught my eye….I made your gin lime cake for mothers day and it was a HUGE HIT! Do you recommend any other cake/cupcake recipes I should try for summer instead of the funfetti one (however, having said that, it looks too amazing, I might HAVE to make it anyway! )?
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Jessica — August 2nd, 2012 @ 2:21 pm
Thanks Jenna!
How many people will be at the party? I honestly don’t think this cake would be big enough to serve at a party… I’d save it for a very small party – however, you could double this recipe and make it in a large 9 x 13 baking dish and serve it in cups instead of slices, and I think that would be perfect!
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Mmm…I can’t wait to try this recipe! I might just make the inside and spread it on toast, it sounds so good :) I’m not a mayo fan, so will have to try your trick of using avocado with tuna! Thank you!!
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You have redeemed tuna for me. I HATE mayo. This makes tuna salad an option!
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I don’t think this is boring or disgusting and I wants to eat it.
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Nice! Who doesn’t love tomatoes… and avocado…. and beans…. and tuna together??? I DO! :)
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I missed the tuna mixed with avocado revelation so I’m a little late arriving to the party but wow what a brilliant idea!
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These look so cute and delicious and I love all the ingredients.
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OMG! It is like a “Portable Tuna Melt”…..
Looking for cheap flight from West Palm Beach to Pittsburgh………
Will be there for lunch soon…… ❤
Luv & Lust for Tuna! ❤
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I don’t think this looks boring at all! Just the roasted tomatoes alone give a dish so much flavor.
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It’s 8:20am and I want a dozen of these.
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I’ll bet those tomatoes will be as sweet as candy!
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I need to come live in your kitchen…that is all. For real.
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I don’t think it’s boring at all. I love this recipe, and they look so cute.
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what a great idea :) definitely going to make these!
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