Get Griddling!

We've had lots of fun creating new recipes with our Cuisinart GR-4 Griddler Panini maker. Desiree H. of Philadelphia is the winner of our latest giveaway for the Griddler and we're sure she'll have fun experimenting with it as well. Here's one of our favorites to get you started Desiree! For those of you who do not yet own a Panini maker, just cook it in a skillet with a heavy pot on top to flatten the sandwich a bit. Enjoy!


Tuna & Artichoke Panini
Makes 4 servings

One 6-ounce can light or albacore tuna, drained and flaked
One 6-ounce jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and coarsely chopped
½ cup preshredded reduced-fat Cheddar cheese
¼ cup olive tapenade
4 teaspoons extra virgin olive oil
Eight 1/2-inch-thick slices Italian bread (about 5 x 2 ½ inches)

Preheat the Panini grill on high heat. Combine the tuna, artichoke hearts, cheese, and olive tapenade in a bowl and set aside. Lightly brush one side of each slice of bread with olive oil. Place 4 slices of bread on the work surface, oiled side down. Divide the tuna mixture evenly between the bread. Top with the remaining slices of bread, oiled side up. Place sandwiches in the Panini press and cook until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Slice each sandwich in half and serve.

Nutrition Information per Serving:
240 calories, 14g fat (3g saturated, 0.2g omega-3), 660mg sodium, 14g carbohydrate, 2g fiber, 17g protein, 15% calcium

Fish is Brain Food!

Last week, the 13-year-old winner of the Scripps National Spelling Bee stated with confidence that he almost always eats fish before a competition because, “it’s good for the brain.” Evan O’Dorney, who often orders a tuna salad sandwich from Subway, is clearly one smart cookie!

Recent studies confirm a link between seafood and brain development. One study from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago found that a diet rich in seafood reduces the rate of cognitive deterioration in the elderly. For those of us (especially overworked cookbook authors) who experience signs of cognitive deterioration on a daily basis, this is great news!

To get more seafood into your diet, try this super-easy recipe.

Scoop-It-Up Tuna Salad
Makes 2 Servings

One 6-ounce can solid white or light tuna in water, drained and flaked
1 small carrot, shredded (about 1/2 cup)
3 tablespoons light canola mayonnaise
Salt and pepper

Scoopers: Baked tortilla chips, cucumber wheels, mini whole wheat pitas, whole grain crackers

Combine the tuna, carrot, mayonnaise, and salt and pepper to taste in a medium bowl and mix well.
To pack for a school lunch, place the tuna salad in a plastic container with a tight-fitting lid. Pack “scoopers” in separate containers.

Nutrition Information per Serving: 200 calories, 9g fat (0.5g saturated, 1.5g omega-3), 530g sodium, 6g carbohydrate, 1g fiber, 20g protein, 90% vitamin A

Watch a video clip of this recipe on MealMakeoverTV.com:
http://www.mealmakeovermoms.com/flash/tvTunaSalad.html