Canned Tuna With Beans And Red Pepper Spread Food

FROM THE PANTRY: TUNA, WHITE BEAN AND OLIVE FLATBREAD PITAS

Steps:

• Pulse the beans, 4 of the sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons of the oil, 2 tablespoons water, vinegar, granulated garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a food processor until blended and semi-smooth.
• Thinly slice the 2 remaining sun-dried tomatoes. Gently toss them with the tuna, olives, roasted red peppers, the 2 remaining tablespoons oil, red pepper flakes and a few grinds of black pepper in a medium bowl, breaking up the tuna slightly.
• Heat a griddle or large skillet over medium-high heat. Brush one side of the pitas with oil, lay the oiled side on the griddle and cook until lightly charred in spots, about 1 minute. Transfer, charred-side up, to serving plates.
• Spread some of the bean mixture on each pita, and top with some of the tuna-olive salad. Drizzle each with oil, and sprinkle with black pepper.

CANNED TUNA WITH BEANS AND RED-PEPPER SPREAD

Steps:

• On each of 4 small plates, spread a 3-inch circle of the red-pepper spread. Place the tuna on top and spoon the beans around the tuna. Sprinkle with olive oil and aged sherry vinegar.

ROASTED RED PEPPER FILLED WITH TUNA

Steps:

• Roast the pepper directly over a gas burner or under the broiler, turning often until uniformly charred. Remove from the heat, and place in a bowl. Cover tightly, and allow to cool.
• While you're waiting for the pepper to cool, make the tuna filling. Combine the garlic and a generous pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle, and mash to a paste. Add the anchovy, if using, and mash with the garlic. Add the capers, and mash together. In a bowl, break up the tuna with a fork, then stir in the garlic mixture, the lemon juice, olive oil and the yogurt. Add more yogurt or olive oil if the mixture seems dry. Season to taste with pepper (it should not need salt), and stir in the parsley.
• When the pepper is cool enough to handle, peel and discard the blackened skin, rinse briefly and pat dry. Cut away the top, then cut or pull apart the pepper into thirds. Remove seeds and membranes, holding the pepper over a bowl so that you can catch any juice. Lay the pepper pieces on a plate. Season with a little salt and pepper if desired, and fill with the tuna mixture. Serve.