As the summer approaches, I tend to go for simple, fresh meals that require less cooking time. Tuna is one of those staples I always have in the pantry when I’m looking to make a quick meal. These baked tuna balls are a great addition to any dish, and my favorite part is that you can make them in advance for the week or freeze them and use whenever you want!⠀

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As the summer approaches, I tend to go for simple, fresh meals that require less cooking time #ad I was SO excited when @StarKistCharlie reached out to partner up, because tuna is one of those staples I always have in the pantry when I'm looking to make a quick meal. These baked tuna balls are a great addition to any dish, and my favorite part is that you can make them in advance for the week or freeze them and use whenever you want!⠀ ⠀ StarKist tuna pouches are a great way to add protein to any recipe, and their single serve pouches come in 24 different flavors! I used the Tuna Creations® Ginger Sesame for this recipe and it hit the spot. They're ready to eat as is, no draining required, which makes them super convenient! Toss it into salads, stews, or sandwiches and if you want to get a little more creative, check out this recipe below! #TeamCharlie⠀ ⠀ Ingredients:⠀ For the tuna balls:⠀ 4, 2.6oz pouches of Starkist Tuna Creations® Ginger Sesame (10.4oz total)⠀ 1/4 cup scallions , finely chopped⠀ 1/2 teaspoon ground paprika⠀ 3 tablespoons flour (can add more as needed if mixture isn’t firm enough) 2 eggs⠀ ⠀ For the salad:⠀ 1 1/2 cups baby kale⠀ 1/4 cup feta cheese⠀ 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas⠀ 6 cherry tomatoes, halved⠀ 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced⠀ ⠀ For the dressing:⠀ 1/2 avocado⠀ 1/2 jalapeno⠀ Juice of small lime⠀ 1 cup water⠀ 1/4 teaspoon salt⠀ ⠀ Directions:⠀ 🥬Preheat the oven to 400F⠀ 🥬Add all the ingredients for the tuna balls in a bowl and whisk together⠀ 🥬Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out tuna balls and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Should make 8-9 balls.⠀ 🥬Spray the balls with oil, and bake for 15 minutes. Then transfer to broiler and cook an add’l 3-4 minutes, until the balls are golden.⠀ 🥬While the balls are being cooked, let’s assemble the salad and make the dressing.⠀ 🥬Add the kale to a serving bowl and top with the rest of the ingredients for the salad.⠀ 🥬Blend the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.⠀ 🥬Once the tuna balls are done, add them to the salad, and drizzle the dressing. Store the leftover dressing in the fridge. Enjoy!

A post shared by Wendy & Jess, RDs, CDEs (@foodheaven) on May 11, 2020 at 9:15am PDT

Ingredients

For the tuna balls:

4, 2.6 oz pouches of Starkist Tuna Creations® Ginger Sesame, 10.4oz total of tuna
1/4 cup scallions, finely chopped⠀
1/2 teaspoon ground paprika⠀
3 tablespoons flour, can add more as needed if mixture isn’t firm enough
2 eggs⠀

For the salad

1 1/2 cups baby kale⠀
1/4 cup feta cheese⠀
1/2 cup cooked chickpeas⠀
6 cherry tomatoes, halved⠀
1/4 red onion, thinly sliced⠀
⠀

For the dressing:

1/2 avocado⠀
1/2 jalapeno⠀
Juice of small lime⠀
1 cup water⠀
1/4 teaspoon salt⠀

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400F⠀
Add all the ingredients for the tuna balls in a bowl and whisk together⠀
Using an ice cream scoop, scoop out tuna balls and place onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Should make 8-9 balls.⠀
Spray the balls with oil, and bake for 15 minutes. Then transfer to broiler and cook an add’l 3-4 minutes, until the balls are golden.⠀
While the balls are being cooked, let’s assemble the salad and make the dressing.⠀
Add the kale to a serving bowl and top with the rest of the ingredients for the salad.⠀
Blend the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.⠀
Once the tuna balls are done, add them to the salad, and drizzle the dressing. Store the leftover dressing in the fridge. Enjoy!