Tuna balls in tomato sauce

 Canned tuna is a staple in all houses. I was not sure how it was going to taste when I first made it but found it surprisingly delicious.  Use dried bread crumbs, can make it on your own or buy from the shops. With some countries going into lockdown or some form of closure happening, this is probably a good recipe to have on hand.
If you don't have parsley or dried herb mix you can chop up some curry leaves instead. No canned tomatoes?, substitute with 2 teaspoons tomato paste, add some chopped-up fresh tomatoes and a little water and simmer till the tomatoes soften and you get a rich sauce consistency.

The tuna balls, are shallow fried first then added into the sauce.

Yield: 4

Author: Nammi

Tuna balls in tomato sauce

Ingredients:

Tuna balls

• 1 tin tuna, oil drained
• 1/3 cup dried bread crumbs
• 1/2 tsp dried mixed herbs or 1 tsp fresh parsley finely chopped (if available)
• salt
• 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1 eggs
• juice of 1/2 lime and grated zest of the lime
• 1 tbsp finely chopped onion or spring onion.

Tomato sauce

• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1/4 piece scotch bonnet chilli , finely sliced (optional)
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp chilli powder
• a little ground pepper
• salt
• 1 tbsp Finely chopped coriander, roots and stems chopped separately.
• 1/2 can peeled whole tomatoes ( see note)
• 4 -5 tbsp olive oil or vegetable oil

Instructions:

How to cook Tuna balls in tomato sauce

Tuna balls

1. In a bowl add the tuna and flake it well. Add the onions, lime zest, breadcrumbs, fresh or dried herbs, pepper and salt and lime juice.
2. Mix well.
3. Beat the egg in a separate bowl and add to the tuna mixture and mix well. 
4. Shape into 14 balls.
5. Heat a large frying pan with 2 tbsp oil.
6. Once hot add the tuna balls and fry till it becomes lightly golden. 
7. Remove to a plate.

Tomato sauce

1. Heat 2 -3 tbsp olive oil or any vegetable oil you have. Add the onion and cook till translucent. Then add the garlic and cook for 1 minute.
2. Add the spices, scotch bonnet chilli if using, the chopped coriander roots and the canned tomato. (The remaining half of the tomato can be stored in a clean bottle in the fridge for a few days or even a week). 
3. Add 1 cup of water, 1 tsp sugar, and salt. Bring to a boil and then lower heat to simmer for 10 minutes. 
4. Add the cooked tuna balls into the sauce and cook a further 5 minutes. Taste adjust seasoning and add the coriander leaves and switch off. 
5. Enjoy with some garlic bread, over pasta or with mujadara( recipe coming soon) and a salad.

Notes:

If you can't get hold of coriander, or any kind of herbs, can try adding some chopped curry leaves even though the taste won't be the same but still adds some flavor.

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