Beet and Tomato Tonnato
Tonnato sauce is a creamy Italian sauce made of literally—tuna (‘tonno’ in Italian) that’s traditionally served with thinly sliced veal, but the sauce is so easy to make (it all happens in a blender) and so umami-packed that I’ve found it to be super versatile. And here, I’ve paired it with heirloom tomatoes and roasted beets for a summer into fall feel (with thyme leaves adding woodsy minty peppery notes). The bright sweet acidity of the tomatoes and the earthy nutty flavor of roasted beets are perfect complements to the deep savory flavor of the sauce. A dash of my Burlap and Barrel Spice Blend Feelin’ Snacky is the perfect final flourish.
A note on the sauce: You’ll have a thicker sauce that’s only just pourable, as the sauce will thin as the tomatoes sit in it and release their juices. As tinned tunas vary greatly (and the amount of oil in them), start with adding a few tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, and add a bit more if you need to thin it out. But again, a thicker sauce (akin to a very smooth hummus) is what you’re looking for.
Serves 4 to 6
INGREDIENTS
Tonnato Sauce
½ cup mayonnaise
3 to 4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
2 10-oz cans of tuna packed in oil
2 teaspoons anchovy paste (or 3 to 4 anchovy fillets)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 to 4 cornichons (or 2 teaspoons capers, drained and rinsed)
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Everything Else
3 to 5 heirloom tomatoes, cored and cut into large dice
8 ounces roasted beets, cut into large bite-sized wedges
1 tablespoon thyme leaves, for garnish
Feelin’ Snacky Spice Blend, for finishing
Lemon zest, for finishing
Flaky sea salt, for finishing
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
METHOD
To make the tonnato sauce, add mayonnaise, olive oil, tuna (along with oil), anchovy paste, lemon juice and cornichons to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
Spread the tonnato sauce on a platter, then arrange the tomatoes and beets atop. Garnish with thyme leaves, then finish with a healthy dash of Feelin’ Snacky Spice Blend along with flaky sea salt and serve.
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