Marinated Tuna with Pasta and Roasted Bell Peppers

Tuna isn’t just for tuna salad. As a great source of protein, tuna makes for a great addition to a pasta dish like this one. I almost always have a can of tuna and a box of short pasta in my kitchen so this meal is something that I can have whenever the craving hits.

Total time: 35 minutes

Yield: 4-6 servings

Ingredients

Marinade:

4-5 cans of solid white albacore tuna in water, drained

Zest of 1 lemon

1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil

1/3 cup of kalamata olives, slied

3 tbsp caper juice

2 tbsp sherry vinegar

Salt & pepper

Pasta sauce:

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tbsp anchovy paste

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes

4 cloves of garlic, sliced

1/2 cup white wine

Juice from 1/2 a lemon

1/2 cup jarred red bell peppers, thinly sliced

2 tbsp of capers

1/4 tsp of saffron

1/4 cup of parsley stems

2 cups of arugula

1 lb of short brown rice pasta (fusilli, penne, cellentani, or farfalle)

Salt & pepper

Garnish: Whole wheat bread crumbs

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, combine the tuna and marinade ingredients. Let sit for 30 minutes, tossing occasionally.

2. While the tuna marinates, toast the red pepper flakes until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes, in a medium saute pan over medium-low heat,

3. Increase the heat to medium and add the olive oil. Once the oil is warm, cook the garlic and anchovy paste until the garlic is golden, about 2-3 minutes.

4. Deglaze the pan with white wine and lemon juice. Reduce the liquid, stirring occasionally.

5. In preparation for the pasta, begin to bring water to a boil in a large pot.

6. Once the liquid has reduced, stir in the capers and roasted red peppers and cook for 3 minutes. Season to taste.

7. Add the saffron and parsley stems and cook for another 3 minutes.

8. Turn off the heat and gently stir in the arugula. Season to taste. Set aside.

9. Once the water is at a rolling boil, heavily salt the water and add the pasta. Cook until al dente. Drain the pasta and in the same large pot, add the tuna marinade and the pasta sauce.

10. Gently mix together. Divide the amongst amongst shallow bowls and garnish with whole wheat crumbs.