Bleeding Espresso

30 May 2007

what’s cooking wednesday: tuna and bean salad

Continuing with the refreshing summer theme from last week, this week’s What’s Cooking Wednesday is a tuna and bean salad.

It’s light but filling, healthy but still tasty, and slimy yet satisfying. Always wanted to use that in context. Lion King fans? Anyone?

Oh, and there’s no cooking involved at all, so it’s pretty darn fast as well.

Tuna and Bean Salad
(Tonno e fagioli)

2 cans cannellini beans
2 cans tuna fish
1 small onion cut into chunks
4 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons lemon juice
salt and black pepper to taste
chopped parsley

Pour the beans into a strainer, rinse, drain well, and put in your serving bowl or platter.

Add tuna and onion in large chunks over the beans.

If you want, make the dressing in a separate bowl, but I just add everything all together in the same dish. That’s olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and parsley.

Toss well (and carefully so as not to break too many beans) before serving, and be sure to taste test first for anything missing.

I add another squeeze of lemon just before serving as well.

Ah, and I should warn you that I won’t be around the rest of the week due to a work conference, so while I’m gone, you have some homework: (1) Be sure to check out the full list of What’s Cooking Wednesday participants over at Shannon’s place;

(2) Have a lookee at Sara’s (Ms Adventures in Italy) Parmeggiano Reggiano Stuffed Onions Wrapped in Prosciutto di Parma;

(3) Explore The Left Over Queen’s Foodie BlogRoll over on my sidebar; and

(4) Report back here and tell me what other kinds of recipes you’d like to see around here, especially any specific ingredients you’re looking to incorporate.

Buon appetito!

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Technorati Tags: what’s cooking wednesday, tuna and bean salad, tuna, beans, tonno e fagioli, tonno, fagioli, recipes

41 beans of wisdom »

41 beans of wisdom to “what’s cooking wednesday: tuna and bean salad”

Bryan and Autumn on 30 May 2007 at 1:19 pm #

When my italian ex and I were first married and living in the states we had no money.
He was and still isn’t a cook but he knew how to grill a steak and make the bean and tuna thing.
He called it peasant food, but it was tasty enough and it worked for our budget…LOL
sognatrice on 30 May 2007 at 1:35 pm #

Autumn, you’re right! I forgot to add it’s cheap too! Sorry if I brought up any bad memories (although memories of steak are usually good, right?).
Ms Adventures in Italy on 30 May 2007 at 2:02 pm #

Work conference?? For the school or other? have fun.

I want to see some usage of those famous Calabrian pepperoncini!!
Bryan and Autumn on 30 May 2007 at 2:06 pm #

LOL, actually the beans and tuna bring up good memories because I was ’so in love’ with my ex at that time.
I would like to think our romantic early days were fueled by this dish… (if ya know what I mean!)hehe.
sognatrice on 30 May 2007 at 2:21 pm #

Ms A, the conference (on immigrant health care) is part of my translating gig with the local ASL. It’s part of an EU project, so there will be other nations/languages represented. Thankfully I don’t have to translate/interpret during the conference itself though–I’ll be there more for social interpreting purposes (phew!).

As for the peperoncini, we throw them in just about everything, but I’ll work on a little something where they’re featured since you asked

Autumn, hah! In that case, the phrase “slimy yet satisfying” takes on a whole different meaning
J.Doe on 30 May 2007 at 2:29 pm #

I love tonno and fagioli, we eat it in our household often without the tonno too.
Sara on 30 May 2007 at 2:33 pm #

Yummy! I never thought of putting tuna with canned beans, but why not? Sounds delicious, especially with lemon.
Figs, Olives, Wine on 30 May 2007 at 2:38 pm #

oooooo. Ingredients we want to see used? oooooo. I can’t work out which region of Italy you’re in. Is it Calabria?
PS. This salad looks delish and refreshing. I’m already overheating and it’s only 9:30 in NYC. I shall brave the elements to pick up some tuna.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Mustafa ?enalp on 30 May 2007 at 3:15 pm #

ÇOK GÜZEL B?R S?TE.
Giulia on 30 May 2007 at 3:24 pm #

Great simple dish. We eat it often too.
“I would like to think our romantic early days were fueled by this dish… (if ya know what I mean!)”

That’s funny, because when I eat beans, I make my husband stay away! LMAO
sognatrice on 30 May 2007 at 3:43 pm #

JDoe, yes this is definitely good without the tuna too–good point!

Sara, it’s simple and delicious, or as Autumn said, peasant food. You should try it!

Figs, yes, I’m in Calabria. I think this salad might be more of a Tuscan thing, but I could be wrong. We have tuna, beans, lemons, and olive oil everywhere, so I’m not sure if one part of Italy can really claim it

Mustafa, te?ekkür ederim, I think

Giulia, to each their own, eh?
AnnaLiza on 30 May 2007 at 3:46 pm #

oo, that looks delicious.

thanks for the translation to that phrase on the other site!
Figs, Olives, Wine on 30 May 2007 at 3:53 pm #

I’ve never been to Calabria! I’m so jealous. I’d love to hear what they do with artichokes or eggplants! And there’s lots of citrus too, right?
nyc/caribbean ragazza on 30 May 2007 at 3:54 pm #

I am a fan of this dish! So simple and I always have tuna and beans in my pantry.

I would love to see pasta recipes or something with sardines or anchovies. Anchovies are a new obession. Another than a puttanesca dish not sure when to use them.

grazie.
Louise on 30 May 2007 at 6:03 pm #

OH looks GOOD!!! my kids love tuna so I’ll give that one a try!
a far away friend on 30 May 2007 at 6:26 pm #

This looks really good and refreshing. I tuna salad and tuna noodle casserole are usually my extent with tuna meals. I think you officially inspired me to be a little more risky! Thanks
sognatrice on 30 May 2007 at 8:04 pm #

Annaliza, no problem on the translation–for anyone else who’s wondering, I believe Mustafa’s comment said I have a beautiful site. Or maybe that I should shower. But it’s still nice of him to stop by, right?

Figs, I’ve done a recipe with artichokes and eggs that you can find in the archives, but I don’t think I’ve done eggplant yet…and they’re coming into season And yes, definitely lots of citrus.

NYC, anchovies! Yes! Good one!

Louise, if your kids like beans, this is a nice recipe. Easy as all get out, and with the lemon, I just love the zing.

Far away friend, don’t forget that there also a lovely tuna pasta sauce recipe in my archives somewhere–one of our other staples around here
Britt-Arnhild on 30 May 2007 at 8:24 pm #

I am not much of a tuna fan, but this looks delicious.
Gil on 30 May 2007 at 9:06 pm #

Canned tuna? I figured that you might of hooked one in that beautiful sea you always photograph!! Recipe sounds yummy.
Shan on 31 May 2007 at 4:22 am #

Look great, as always.

And yes, as shocking as it may seem, we’re BIG Lion King fans here.
Anonymous on 31 May 2007 at 10:40 am #

Sognatrice,
I’d love to have a go at P’s mother’s (or grandmother’s) recipe (or yours!) for chicken cacciatore….my favorite childhood dish.

Have a good week!

Ciao, ciao,
Wunschdenker
My Melange on 31 May 2007 at 12:34 pm #

Signatrice…Believe it or not, I make this dish all the time. And with the exact same ingredients. I really love it…and it is so simple. Thanks for sharing!
JennDZ - The Leftover Queen on 31 May 2007 at 11:56 pm #

YUM YUM! This looks so good!
jennifer on 01 Jun 2007 at 9:07 am #

Slimy yet satisfying… My kids overdosed on Lion King, and used to say that all the time! Mostly about my cooking…
Sukanya Ramkumar on 01 Jun 2007 at 2:56 pm #

Hi First time to ur blog…. I found you through the Foodie Blogroll. U have a great blog.. Ur tuna and bean salad looks YUM!..
Karen Beth on 01 Jun 2007 at 4:24 pm #

This looks delicious! I’m not sure that I have any cannellini beans here but as soon as I’m able to get some, I’m going to try this. Slimy yet satisfying… I’m game! Thanks!
Mimi Lenox on 01 Jun 2007 at 8:22 pm #

We don’t have a peace globe from Italy. Would you like to represent for us?

An invitation from Mimi…….To: Saturday Photo Hunters
Many bloggers will be flying Peace Globes in the blogosphere on Wednesday, June 6, 2007. It is BlogBlast for Peace day - the second annual event. Please consider using your blog voice and creative influence on this day to participate. The theme for June 2 is ART - perfect for creativity with a peace globe perhaps? You can find more information about the movement at Mimi Writes or BlogBlast for Peace. I wanted to make you aware of the event. I really enjoy looking at your photographs on Saturdays.
http://mimiwrites.blogspot.com or http://mimilenox.blogspot.com
Thanks and peace!
Mimi
Vanessa on 01 Jun 2007 at 11:14 pm #

jeez that’s a lot of homework, teach!!!
but fun too
have a great conference!
and, um, shouldn’t you have mentioned something about the side-effects of eating all those beans??
Vx
sognatrice on 02 Jun 2007 at 10:23 am #

B-A, remember you can do this without the tuna even, so there’s another option.

Gil, no fresh tuna on a daily basis I’m afraid. P’s more the fisher-person anyway

Shan, I love the Lion King and I never really had an excuse–other than being a child at heart, of course.

Wunsch-d, would you believe that as far as I know, P’s mom doesn’t make it? My grandmother didn’t either, so actually I don’t think I ever have. That won’t stop me though! Good suggestion

My Melange, isn’t it wonderful? I love when something is so easy and tasty.

Jenn, great for a summer party too!

Jennifer, obviously I overdosed too since I probably use lines from that movie at least once a week.

Sukanya, welcome! Isn’t the Foodie BlogRoll the best? Thanks Jenn

Karen Beth, I would’ve never believed that cannellini beans would become a staple in cupboard, but they have. They’re definitely good to have around in a pinch.

Mimi, interesting, although I don’t participate in any photo projects; anyway, I will check our your site. And yes, everyone else, I realize that was just a form comment, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t respond, right?

Vanessa, I think the beans, um, speak for themselves
Elle on 02 Jun 2007 at 10:20 pm #

I likey!

It’s so simple even I could attempt to make this one!

(Cannellini are fabulously versatile, I put them in my curries these days)
sognatrice on 03 Jun 2007 at 8:58 am #

Elle, easy peasey, yes? Geez, how do spell that anyway?!
Bleeding Espresso » what’s cooking wednesday: coffee granita on 19 Aug 2008 at 1:20 pm #

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