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Tuna Burgers with Basil and Pepperoncini Mayonnaise

In preparing these burgers, use a food processor to chop the raw tuna, but be careful not to overdo it. Pulse just enough to chop it—too much action can toughen the fish, and you’ll wind up with a dry burger instead of a juicy, flavorful one.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 4

Ingredients

12 ounces sushi-grade tuna, cut into chunks
4 ounces smoked salmon, chopped
1/2 cup Rocco’s Magnificent Mayonnaise (page 200) or store-bought low-fat mayonnaise, such as Hellmann’s Low-Fat Mayonnaise Dressing
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
Nonstick cooking spray
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
6 large jarred pepperoncini, chopped fine
4 sprouted-grain hamburger buns, such as Ezekiel 4:9
4 slices heirloom tomato
4 leaves romaine lettuce, shredded

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Place the tuna in a food processor and pulse on and off for a few seconds, until the tuna is chopped but not overly processed; you don’t want it to be pureed.

    Step 2

    Preheat a grill or grill pan over high heat.

    Step 3

    While the grill is heating, combine the tuna, salmon, and 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise in a medium bowl. Using your hands, gently form the fish mixture into 4 burgers. Season them with salt and pepper and spray them lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

    Step 4

    Grill the burgers until they are seared on the outside but still a little rare in the center, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer them to a serving platter and tent it with foil to keep them warm.

    Step 5

    While the burgers are cooking, combine the basil, pepperoncini, and the remaining mayonnaise in a medium bowl. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste. Set it aside.

    Step 6

    Split the buns and place them on the grill or grill pan, cut side down. Lightly char the buns, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove the buns from the heat and place them on a work surface.

    Step 7

    Spread the mayonnaise mixture evenly over the top and bottom halves of the buns. Top the bottom half of each bun with a tuna burger and a tomato slice. Pile some shredded lettuce on top of the tomato, cover with the bun top, and serve.

  2. Nutritional Information:

    Step 8

    Before: Fat 48g

    Step 9

    After: Fat 5.9g

    Step 10

    Before: Calories 770

    Step 11

    After: Calories 342

    Step 12

    Protein: 35g | Carbohydrates: 39g

    Step 13

    Cholesterol: 51mg | Fiber: 7g

    Step 14

    Sodium: 1,071mg

Now Eat This by Rocco DiSpirito. Copyright © 2010 by Rocco DiSpirito. Published by Random House Publishing Group. All Rights Reserved. Hailed as the "Leading Chef of his Generation" by Gourmet magazine, Rocco DiSpirito received the James Beard Award for his first cookbook, Flavor. He went on to author Rocco's Italian-American (2004), Rocco's Five Minute Flavor (2005), Rocco's Real-Life Recipes (2007), and Rocco Gets Real (2009). DiSpirito also starred in the Food Network series Melting Pot, the NBC hit reality series The Restaurant, and the A&E series Rocco Gets Real.
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