Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons melted ghee, divided
- 10 ounces canned albacore tuna packed in water, drained
- 3 scallions, thinly sliced (about ⅓ cup)
- 2 tablespoons finely minced fresh cilantro
- 1⅓ cup mashed baked sweet potato
- finely grated zest from ½ medium lemon
- 1 tablespoon minced jalapeño pepper
- 2 large eggs
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
Kosher salt - Freshly ground black pepper
- 3 medium lemons, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
1, Preheat the oven to 350°F, and use a brush to grease a 12-cup regular sized muffin tin with one tablespoon of melted ghee. (Or skip this part and just line the tin with parchment muffin liners!)
2, In a large bowl, mix together the tuna, scallions, and cilantro. Add the mashed sweet potato to the tuna mixture, and gently combine.
3, Then, mix in the lemon zest, jalapeño, the remaining two tablespoons of ghee, eggs, and red pepper flakes.
4, Season with salt and pepper to taste. I normally use 1½ teaspoons of kosher salt, but your taste may vary.
5, Use your hands to mix everything together because that way you can make sure that the fish chunks aren’t overly broken up.
6, Scoop a ¼ cup of the mixture into each greased muffin tin cup and flatten with the back of a spoon.
7, Bake the tuna cakes for 20-25 minutes or until an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
8, Transfer the cakes to a wire rack to cool. The easiest way I’ve found to get them out is to put the wire rack on top of the muffin tin, flip everything upside-down, and tap them gently on the counter.
9, Squeeze a lemon wedge over your tuna cake before you pop it in your mouth. They’re fantastic right out of the oven. Alternatively, store them in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to four days, and when you’re ready to eat, skillet-fry the cakes in some melted fat over medium heat. Crisp the edges, and you’re good to go.
Heat levels can be adjusted to your taste; amp it up by subbing serrano peppers in place of jalapeño, or turn it down by cutting down on the red pepper flakes. Serve these spicy cakes for breakfast, lunch, or dinner—or whip up an extra-big batch for your next dinner party!
yields 12 cakes
by Michelle Tam
