Holy Week Special: Cheat Meat Tuna Patties

It's officially the start of summer! This is a healthier, can't-believe-it's-meat version of your typical burgersteak. And if you're one hungry jack on a no-meat fast, these tuna patties can be done in no time.

For the patties:

2 pcs canned tuna in oil

1tsp dried oregano

1/2 tsp rosemary

1/2 tsp thyme

1 tsp black pepper

Turmeric

Extra virgin olive oil (or other veg. oil)

1/4 tsp juice of lemon or calamansi

Balsamic vinegar or soy sauce

Garlic (finely chopped)

Chives (finely chopped)

1 whole egg

1/2 cup flour

For the sauce:

1 part mustard

1 part soy sauce

2 parts ketchup

Drain the tuna and transfer to a bowl. I specifically used 50% less sodium canned tuna but the regular kind will do. I've tried adobo flavored canned tuna and the taste is stronger but really good.

Mix in the oregano, rosemary, thyme, black pepper, a dash of turmeric for color, and lemon juice. Then mix in several drops of balsamic vinegar or soy sauce, a capful of extra virgin olive oil and as much quantity of the garlic and chives as you like.

Add in the egg, mix, then add just enough flour so the mixture is slightly sticky.  Mix well.

Drizzle some evoo over a frying pan and turn the heat on high. Form heaping spoonfuls of the tuna mix and place into the hot pan to shallow fry. Flatten the patties a bit at the center. Allow to fry and do not lift or move the patties for 1 minute.

After about a minute the bottom will be cooked enough to safely lift off the pan without sticking. Flip the patties and turn the heat down to medium. Allow to cook for another 2 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Transfer to paper towels.

To make a quick, no-fail burger sauce, mix together mustard, ketchup, and soy sauce.

Garnish the tuna patties with your burger sauce (slather on lots of it) and fresh basil, spinach, onion rings, or any garnish you like. Adding cheese is optional, as the sauce and herbs in the tuna will give enough flavor. I used focaccia buns but burger buns, panini or pandesal will work also. And hey, you can eat those sizzling tuna patties with rice - why not!

Makes 5 servings. Bon appetít!

Healthy Honey Baked Squash

Do you like baked peaches, apples or even squash? Yes, squash is technically a fruit (notice the seeds!) but considered a vegetable in its usage just like cucumbers and tomatoes. Baking squash gives that subtle, sweet taste.

Just mix about the same amount of honey and olive oil, and then mix in cinnamon powder and sesame seeds. Coat some squash wedges (seeds removed) with this mixture and pop in the oven at 220C / gas mark 7. Bake large wedges for 45 minutes or until soft enough when poked with a fork. Thinner wedges or chopped up squash may require only 20-30 minutes of baking. 

This is a healthier and super easy, no-fuzz method. There are many things you can do with baked squash, depending on your personal taste. You may use feta cheese, Parmesan, raisins, or butter for flavor.

April Fools Day special: Burger Cupcake Meal

Photo credits to:

U Photography by JP Consunji

After doing some non-serious research I thought these faux burgers would be an awesome project for April Fools. I totally felt the giggles just putting these together  - they were so tiny and funny looking!

I used lemon cupcake batter for the burger buns just because the color fits. The patties are made of brownies and the 'cheese' is a lemon buttercream frosting. Of course, the best cupcake topping in this case would be sesame seeds.

What's a burger without fries? These are made from the leftover cupcakes. I sliced them up to look like French fries and toasted them for a couple of minutes to make them crunchy on the outside and look more realistic. I had a lot of tea bags so I used one of the tea packets as a French fries box. The 'ketchup' is red jelly.

As for the 'chicken nuggets' I also used leftover cupcakes and covered it in honey and then crushed cornflakes. The nugget dip is cherry jam. Simple and easy! Fun to make with the kids or as a unique treat for someone special :)