Basil Tuna Club Sandwich Recipes

Steps:

• Make aioli: Combine egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic and salt in a food processor. With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream through the feed tube until all the oil is absorbed and the mixture has the consistency of mayonnaise. Add pepper and mix 10 seconds. Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate.
• Combine 4 cups water, onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf and peppercorns in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes. Add the tuna pieces and simmer until they are barely cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the cooked tuna from the cooking liquid to a bowl using a slotted spoon. While the fish is still warm, flake it into small pieces with a fork or your fingers. (The fish firms up as it cools and will not flake as nicely.) Cover loosely and let cool.
• Crush the fennel seeds between two sheets of waxed paper; dry fry in a small skillet until fragrant. Place in large bowl; add 1/2 cup aioli, the red and yellow peppers, onion, herbs and salt and set aside.
• Mix the flaked tuna into the fennel mixture. Combine well and taste for seasonings, adding salt, pepper and lemon juice as needed. (The tuna salad can be made ahead to this point without the herbs and refrigerated until the next day; stir in the herbs just before using.)
• Spread a slice of sourdough bread with the aioli, then with a spoonful of the tuna salad. Top with a few leaves of the arugula and one slice of bacon. Repeat with a second slice of sourdough. Stack one layer on top of another and finish by topping with a third slice of sourdough. Repeat to make three more club sandwiches. Slice each sandwich into halves or thirds and secure each piece with a toothpick.

Steps:

• Drizzle both sides of tuna steaks with oil. Sprinkle with the basil, salt and pepper. , Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill tuna, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until slightly pink in the center.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and mustard; season with salt and pepper. Transfer 2 tablespoons dressing to another bowl; toss with tuna. To remaining dressing, add cucumber and onion; toss to combine.
• Cut bread in half horizontally; remove most of soft interior crumb. Spread tapenade on bottom half. Top with basil leaves, then egg slices; season with salt and pepper. Top with tuna, then cucumber mixture; close sandwich.
• Wrap sandwich tightly in plastic and place between two baking sheets. Weight with a heavy skillet. Let stand 1 hour (or refrigerate, up to overnight). To serve, cut into quarters.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine tuna, celery, apple, mayonnaise, basil, and lemon juice; mix well. Season with salt and pepper.
• On a work surface, divide tuna salad among 4 slices bread; top with remaining 4 slices bread. Serve.

Steps:

• Make aioli: Combine egg yolks, lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, garlic and salt in a food processor.
• With the machine running, slowly add the olive oil in a constant stream through the feed tube until all the oil is absorbed and the mixture has the consistency of mayonnaise.
• Add pepper and mix 10 seconds.
• Transfer to a bowl, cover and refrigerate.
• Combine 4 cups water, onion, carrot, celery, bay leaf and peppercorns in a 2-quart saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Lower to simmer, cover and cook for 15 minutes.
• Add the tuna pieces and simmer until they are barely cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the cooked tuna from the cooking liquid to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
• While the fish is still warm, flake it into small pieces with a fork or your fingers.
• (The fish firms up as it cools and will not flake as nicely.) Cover loosely and let cool.
• Crush the fennel seeds between two sheets of waxed paper; dry fry in a small skillet until fragrant.
• Place in large bowl; add 1/2 cup aioli, the red and yellow peppers, onion, herbs and salt and set aside.
• Mix the flaked tuna into the fennel mixture.
• Combine well and taste for seasonings, adding salt, pepper and lemon juice as needed.
• (The tuna salad can be made ahead to this point without the herbs and refrigerated until the next day; stir in the herbs just before using.) Spread a slice of sourdough bread with the aioli, then with a spoonful of the tuna salad.
• Top with a few leaves of the arugula and one slice of bacon.
• Repeat with a second slice of sourdough.
• Stack one layer on top of another and finish by topping with a third slice of sourdough.
• Repeat to make three more club sandwiches.
• Slice each sandwich into halves or thirds and secure each piece with a toothpick.