Spicy Tuna Burgers with Chili Lime Mayonnaise

This tuna recipe makes three burgers and is perfect for the grill. This is the second recipe for my new biweekly column in The Westfield Leader. You can find this recipe on page 12 in the Leader’s print or online (goleader.com) from May 20, 2020.

Ingredients:

• 12 oz. canned Albacore tuna in water

• 1/2 fresh jalapeno, chopped (remove seeds)

• 1/8 cup of chopped yellow onion

• 2 eggs

• 1 wedge lemon, squeezed

• 1/4 cup halved walnuts (or any kind)

• 1/4 tsp cayenne

• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

• Sprinkle of black pepper

• Sprinkle of salt (if using a salt grinder, do one twist)

• 1 tsp Sriracha (or some type of spicy chili sauce)

• 1/4 cup mayonnaise

• 1/8 tsp chili powder

• 1/2 small lime, squeezed

Burger directions:

1. Empty the water out of the can of tuna. Put the tuna in a medium bowl and break up the big chunks.

2. Cut the fresh jalapeno and remove the seeds. Chop half the jalapeno into small pieces and add to the bowl with tuna.

3. Add chopped yellow onion to the bowl and mix.

4. Add two eggs to the bowl and mix.

5. Squeeze one wedge of lemon into the bowl.

6. Using a blender or food processor, blend your walnuts to a sand-like consistency. Mix the walnuts into the bowl with other ingredients.

7. Add your spices to the bowl, including: cayenne, red pepper flakes, black pepper and salt. Mix.

8. Add Sriracha to the bowl (the more you add, the spicier it will be). Mix all ingredients until well combined.

9. Form your burgers. Use your hands to take a portion of the mixture and form it into a patty. If the patty feels too moist, squeeze out some of the juices and then place the formed burgers onto a clean plate. Repeat until all burgers have been formed.

10. If you have time, place the burgers in the fridge to chill for about an hour. This will make them easier to handle on the grill.

11. Heat the grill and spread olive oil on the grates so the burgers don’t stick. Grill the burgers on medium-high for 4-5 minutes on each side. Nice grill marks will appear.

12. While your burgers are grilling, toast your rolls. Slice the ciabatta rolls in half and place face down the grill for about 1-2 minutes, or until they are nice and golden.

13. Add your burger to a grilled ciabatta roll (or bun of your choice) and top with the chili lime mayonnaise and any other toppings you like.

Sauce directions:

1. Mix mayonnaise, chili powder and lime. Chill until ready to serve.