My children and my husband are picky eaters. I can understand it from a kid’s point of view, but am not so sure about my husband! I am constantly fighting a battle against cries of “What is this?” Once when my son was much younger, I made a ham and cheese quiche. He took one look at it and said, “I hope this tastes better than it looks.” Still, I persevere in trying and creating new recipes. Sometimes they are a hit and sometimes they aren’t.
I’ve been trying to incorporate more fish into our diet, especially Tuna. It’s healthy, economical, and can be used in dozens of different recipes. I checked out the health benefits of tuna and discovered tuna is an excellent source of protein and much lower in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol than many other protein choices. Tuna also has essential vitamins and minerals such as Niacin, Vitamin B12 and Selenium. The majority of fat in tuna comes from Omega-3 fatty acids that are important in reducing the risk of heart disease.
When I received several pouches of Starkist tuna I knew I could create a recipe the entire family would enjoy. These single serve pouches are 100 calories or less, a great source of healthy lean protein, and come in four varieties including:
- Classics in Water and Oil
- Tuna Creations®
- Tuna Salad
- Lunch To-Go
I’m a fan of quick and easy meals with minimal ingredients that taste good. I can make complicated dishes but prefer not to spend all my time in the kitchen. If a child doesn’t like tuna this is a sneaky way to get him to try it. It’s also versatile, any flavor of tuna, cheese, or type of pasta can be substituted.
Tuna Alfredo
2 pouches of Starkist Tuna or one can, your favorite flavor variety
6 ounces of shredded cheese (I used Italian blend, but use your favorite or whatever you have on hand)
1 cup (8 ounces) half and half
2 Tablespoons Flour
1 (15 ounce) can peas, drained
1 Tablespoon Garlic
2 Tablespoons Butter or Margarine
Salt and Pepper to taste
Pasta, your favorite variety, or whatever you have on hand
Melt butter in skillet and add garlic. Stir until lightly browned.
Add flour and half and half, cook, stirring constantly, until no lumps remain and mixture has slightly thickened. Add cheese, stir until melted. Remove from heat.
Stir in tuna and peas until well mixed. Serve over cooked pasta.
