Recipe: Italian tuna and shiso sandwich

Total time: 15 minutes

Servings: 4

Note: Recipe by Fred Seidman. Italian tuna can be found at Italian markets, Bristol Farms, Whole Foods, Gelson’s and Surfas.

1 (7-ounce) jar Italian tuna, drained

1/4 cup good-quality mayonnaise, plus 4 teaspoons, divided

1 teaspoon capers in salt

Squeeze of fresh lemon juice, about 1 teaspoon

Freshly ground black pepper

4 English muffins, split and toasted

1/4 cup shiso leaves, cut into thin strips

4 thin slices red onion

4 small romaine leaves

8 “Sweet 100� tomatoes sliced crosswise or 4 thin slices regular-size tomato

1. In a medium bowl, use a fork to break up the tuna into small pieces. Stir in one-fourth cup mayonnaise. Rinse the capers in a strainer under cold running water several times to remove excess salt; drain and pat dry on paper towels. Chop the capers if they’re large; otherwise, leave them whole. Stir them into the tuna salad, along with the lemon juice and freshly ground black pepper to taste.

2. Spread 1 teaspoon mayonnaise over the top half of each muffin. Spread one-fourth of the tuna salad on the bottom half of each muffin, and top each mound of salad with 1 tablespoon of the shiso leaves.

3. Rinse the onion slices in a colander under cold running water twice, then drain and pat the slices with paper towels. Divide the onion, romaine and tomato slices evenly among the four sandwiches, on top of the shiso and tuna salad. Top each sandwich with a second muffin half. Cut in half and serve immediately.

Each serving: 348 calories; 15 grams protein; 29 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams fiber; 19 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 17 mg. cholesterol; 519 mg. sodium.