Typically my coronary heart breaks for the ever-so-humble canned tuna. I really feel prefer it’s been dismissed as cat meals (the packaging doesn’t assist) or one thing you’d solely eat throughout a zombie apocalypse as a final resort.
The fact is that canned tuna could make a beautiful lunch when mixed with condiments and added to your carb of alternative: bread, pasta, rice … the probabilities are seemingly limitless. In actual fact, you’ll be able to elevate the fish to create some fairly epic dishes which can be worthy of a everlasting spot in your weekly lunch or dinner rotation.
Mark Majewski, govt chef of Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, agrees. The self-proclaimed tuna fish lover was even tasked with incorporating the ingredient into his delicacies whereas finding out to be the skilled chef he’s immediately.
“Throughout my time in culinary college, we got a problem to arrange one thing elevated utilizing canned tuna,” he reveals. “Using the identical substances you’d usually use to make a crab cake, I switched out the crab for canned tuna and served alongside lemon, caper, and dill remoulade. The ultimate dish was superb!”
Apart from its versatility, canned tuna is cheap, excessive in protein and shelf-stable. That mentioned, it’s crucial to solely buy merchandise that hold sustainability in thoughts. Overfishing can result in ecosystem instability and, consequently, will drive up the reasonably priced costs you presently see on grocery retailer cabinets.
“Customers wish to look on the label for ‘hand-caught, troll-caught/trolling or pole/line-caught,” advises Majewski. “Any of those key phrases present a sustainable methodology of catching the fish.”
“At Sheraton Maui Resort and Spa, we use native fishers and farmers as a lot as doable,” he provides. “With the abundance of native seafood in Hawaii, it’s really simpler to get sustainably caught seafood right here than it’s to search out fish that was caught sustainably sourced from some place else.”
However since we are able to’t all reside in or go to Hawaii, this style check pits six of the preferred mainstream choices yow will discover within the final oceanic battle. And for consistency’s sake, I solely tried albacore varieties packaged solo or in water (although I extremely encourage alternate options in olive oil, Majewski’s private favourite, as a result of it “seals within the taste and retains the tuna tender.”)
Try how the cans stacked up beneath when it got here to style and style solely.
Author’s notice: My interview with Majewski occurred earlier than the tragic fires in close by Lahaina. Whereas his lodge’s area of Kaanapali continues to debate when and the best way to open and welcome guests, I extremely encourage everybody to make a donation to these charitieswithin the meantime.
I wasn’t going to inform ultra-mild Bumble Bee to buzz off as a result of it undoubtedly wasn’t essentially the most horrible out of the entire mainstream choices. It merely was the least memorable. And if the concept of consuming canned tuna fish nonetheless disgusts you (why are you right here? lol) and also you wish to topic your self to a little bit of torture (no judgment, I assume), then this can be the one for you. It’s much less potent, smooth on the tongue, and might simply be masked by mayonnaise or anything you wish to incorporate as a taste camouflage.
Hen of the Sea Albacore Premium Tuna in Water
Don’t inform Jessica Simpson, however her favourite poultry — er, fish — model ranked second to final on this record. Was this horrible? Completely not. Was it tasty? For positive! However did it stand out sufficient for it to rival my high three? No, sadly. There was completely nothing fallacious with it apart from … dun dun dun … the ever-so-dreaded texture inconsistencies. One can was full mush whereas one other was flaky and all the things you can need in a doomsday bunker meal. Somebody cellphone high quality management as a result of in the event that they troubleshoot and make things better on the meeting line, it might simply edge out its Starkist competitors.
StarKist Strong White Albacore Tuna in Water
I admittedly eat Starkist tuna greater than the typical human and am fairly acquainted with the model. Massive, firmer items make basic Starkist one of many extra palatable of the bunch and I all the time admire its capability to face up the perfect marinades, sauces and sandwich slices in my pantry. It does style a bit mass-produced, although, whereas those beneath gave extra gourmand vibes. And since I’m in my boujee period, that is simply how the cookie crumbled.
365 by Entire Meals Albacore Wild Tuna in Water
Entire Meals’ tackle tuna tasted essentially the most pure, in all probability as a result of it boasted one of many lowest sodium ranges amongst its contenders. It additionally regarded the prettiest with practically fileted meat that didn’t seem as if it had been put via a janky meals processor. My solely gripe? The rattling cans are inconceivable to open. When you undergo from arthritis or pain-ridden fingers, you’re going to virtually want a crowbar to pry these unhealthy boys open. And when you do, they could or might not have been well worth the effort.
Protected Catch Wild Albacore Tuna
Apart from its not bone-dry texture (which is to be anticipated), I used to be most impressed by the corporate’s dedication to testing the mercury ranges of each fish they soak up. It allowed for me to nosh in peace with out fearing the arrival of neurological signs like tremors and slurred speech. That mentioned, its taste was undoubtedly on the fishier facet, which was probably a results of not being diluted in water (just like the winner). However this preparation didn’t trouble me. In actual fact, it might be my new choice on the subject of canned tuna fish — as is and with out something thrown into the combo.
Wild Planet Albacore Wild Tuna
