Fettuccine With Tuna Lemon Fried Capers Recipes

PASTA WITH TUNA, CAPERS AND LEMON

Steps:

• Mince together the onion, garlic and capers in a food processor or mini-chopper. The mixture should be finely chopped.
• Pour 1 tablespoon of the olive oil from a can of tuna into a large saute pan. Heat oil, stir in minced onion mixture and cook until onion softens. Add the tuna to the pan, with the oil in the can. Red pepper flakes (1/2 teaspoon) can also be added at this point if desired. Flake the tuna with a fork and continue to cook over medium heat for 2 minutes.
• Stir in the oregano, lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside and keep mixture warm. If making sauce in advance, transfer to a jar and refrigerate. Reheat when ready to use. This also makes a great sandwich filling.
• Cook pasta in boiling, salted water. Drain, reserve 2-3 tablespoons cooking water. Transfer pasta and water to saute pan. Raise heat to medium high and stir everything together until heated through. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.

PENNE WITH GRILLED TUNA AND CRISP- FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the capers and butter and bring to a simmer; the pan should be big enough so the capers can move around and fry freely, which will take 10-12 minutes (they should be golden brown and crispy when they are finished).
• Drain off remaining butter and put the capers on a paper towel to drain.
• While the capers are cooking, thread the tuna chunks on skewers, brush with the vegetable oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place the skewers on the grill over a medium-hot fire and cook for 3-4 minutes per side (to check for doneness cut into one of the chunks--it should be pink but not red in the center).
• Remove from grill and let cool until they are cool enough to slide off the skewers.
• In the meantime, bring 4 quarts of salted water to boil in a large pot over high heat; add the pasta, return to boil and cook for 8-10 minutes, until pasta is tender but not mushy.
• Drain and place in a large bowl.
• Add the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, parsley, grilled tuna and salt and pepper to taste; add capers, toss well, and serve.

TUNA, LEMON, AND CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Place tuna in pasta serving bowl and break it into large bite-size pieces. Add garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and capers and stir gently to combine. Set aside to warm to room temperature, or preferably, place the bowl (be sure it's heatproof) over the pasta pot to warm the ingredients while heating the water. Once the water comes to a boil, remove bowl and set aside.
• Cook pasta in large pot of boiling salted water until al dente. Drain pasta well and immediately add to sauce in bowl. Sprinkle with parsley and toss. Serve at once with Parmesan cheese. Pass the pepper mill.
• Recommended pasta: 8 ounces penne rigate, medium shells (conchiglie rigate), rigatoni, or linguine.

SPAGHETTI WITH TUNA AND CAPER SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook pasta in a large pot of generously salted water until al dente. Reserve 1 1/2 cups pasta water; drain.
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add tuna with its oil and garlic and cook, stirring a few times, until garlic is golden in spots, about 5 minutes. Stir in capers and pepper flakes and cook, 30 seconds. Add 1 cup reserved pasta water; bring to a simmer. Add cooked pasta and simmer, tossing a few times, until liquid is reduced to a sauce that coats pasta.
• Remove from heat and toss in lemon zest and juice, oil, and parsley; season with pepper. Add more pasta water, a few tablespoons at a time, until pasta is evenly coated. Serve, sprinkled with more pepper flakes.