Recipe Corner

From Albert Bevia:
To make this recipe, I used fusilli pasta. But you can use whatever pasta you like. I just prefer fusilli, as it clings better to the dressing. Either way, make sure to check the pasta package instructions. That way you perfectly cook your pasta al dente.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: What really flavors this pasta salad is the homemade dressing. Made with just olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, oregano, and crushed red pepper. Make sure to use the good stuff here, as it makes all the difference in the flavor.

Mediterranean Pasta & Bean Salad

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nefhT7xuCZw

Ingredients

• 8 oz fusilli pasta 225 grams
• 1 can white beans (drained & rinsed) 15.5 oz / 440 grams
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion 50 grams
• 1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper 75 grams
• 1/3 cup sliced black olives 40 grams
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella (cut into cubes) 4 oz / 125 grams
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 10 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE DRESSING

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 1 tbsp lemon juice 15 ml
• 2 cloves garlic (finely grated)
• 1 tsp dried oregano 1 gram
• 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper 0.65 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

Instructions

1. Fill a stockpot a little over halfway with water, season generously with salt, and heat with a high heat
2. Once it comes to a boil, add in the fusilli pasta, cook until al dente (check pasta package instructions), then drain into a colander and rinse under cold water, shake off any excess water
3. Transfer the pasta into a large bowl, along with the canned beans, chopped red onion, chopped red bell pepper, sliced black olives, cubed fresh mozzarella, and chopped basil, then season with salt & pepper, and mix together until well mixed
4. To make the dressing, add the olive oil into a separate bowl, along with the lemon juice, grated garlic, dried oregano, and crushed red pepper, then season with a kiss of salt & pepper, and whisk together
5. Pour the dressing over the pasta salad, and mix together until well mixed, serve at room temperature or even chilled, as it will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge, enjoy!

From Albert Bevia:
This creamy lentil hummus is possibly the best hummus I have ever tasted. We’re talking layer upon layer of so many great flavors, easy to make, and all done using humble everyday ingredients. Serve it as a tapas appetizer next to some pita bread and marinated olives for the best moment in your day.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: What really flavors this hummus, besides the lentils, is the extra virgin olive oil and tahini paste. If you can’t find tahini paste in your area. You can substitute it for the same amount of creamy peanut butter.

“Better than Chickpea Hummus” CREAMY Lentil Hummus

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPpCu0W0ypk

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup dried green lentils 95 grams
• 2 cups water 480 ml
• 3 tbsp tahini paste 45 grams
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin 1.50 grams
• 1/4 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika .65 grams
• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 30 ml
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp water 30 ml
• sea salt & black pepper
• chopped cilantro and olive oil for garnish

Instructions

1. Add the dried lentils into a fine sieve and rinse under water, then add the lentils into a saucepan, along with 2 cups water (480 ml), and heat with a high heat, once it comes to a boil, place a lid on the saucepan and lower to a low heat
2. Once the lentils are just cooked through (check package instructions on the lentils you are using, my took about 15 to 20 minutes), remove the pan from the heat, drain the lentils in a colander and rinse under cold water, then shake off any excess water, reserve a spoonful of the lentils for garnish
3. Transfer the lentils into a food processor, run the food processor for about 1 minute or until the lentils are well blended, making sure to scrape down on the sides at the half way point, then add in the tahini paste, garlic, cumin, paprika, olive oil, lemon juice, and season with salt & pepper, run the food procesoor for another 1 to 2 minutes or until all the ingredients are well blended
4. Once the ingredients are well blended, with the motor still running, add in between 1 to 2 tbsp of water (15 to 30 ml) or until you get the desired creamy texture
5. Transfer the hummus into a shallow bowl, using the back of a spoon create curves on the hummus, then garnish with the reserved lentils, a drizzle of olive oil, and some chopped cilantro, serve at room temperature or chilled, enjoy!
   
   

From Albert Bevia:
To make this recipe, I used penne pasta. But you can use whatever type of thick-cut pasta you like. Such as rigatoni, macaroni, or even ziti. For the cheese, I used a combination of fresh mozzarella and grated Manchego cheese. You can use other types of cheese if you like or whatever you have on hand. But I tell you, the combination of these two cheeses gives an incredible pop of flavors to this pasta dish.

TIPS & TRICKS to make this Recipe: This cheesy pasta will hold for up to 3 days in the fridge and freeze for up to 3 months. When reheating, just add in some liquid if the mixture is too dry.

CHEESY Pasta with Tomato Paprika Sauce

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAD8yy31UVk

Ingredients

• 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 45 ml
• 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
• 5 cloves garlic (roughly chopped)
• 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
• 1 tsp dried oregano 1 gram
• 1 can tomato sauce (passata) 15 oz / 425 grams
• 1 can diced tomatoes 15 oz / 425 grams
• 2 cups vegetable broth 480 ml
• 8 oz penne pasta 225 grams
• 1 ball fresh mozzarella (cut into small bite-sized pieces) 4 oz / 115 grams
• 1/4 cup grated Manchego cheese 30 grams
• sea salt & black pepper
• chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the olive oil
2. After a couple of minutes, add the chopped onion and garlic into the hot fry pan, mix continuously, after 5 minutes and the onion is translucent, add in the paprika and oregano, quickly mix together, then add in the canned tomato sauce, canned diced tomatoes, and season with sea salt & black pepper, then turn it up to a high heat, give it a mix, and simmer
3. After simmering the tomatoes for about 4 minutes and they’ve slightly thickened, add in the vegetable broth, give it a mix and bring to a boil, then add in the penne pasta, mix every 2 to 3 minutes, so the pasta doesn’t stick together and it all evenly cooks
4. After cooking the pasta for 9 minutes *, which in my case was 3 minutes shy of the pasta being cooked al dente, add the chopped fresh mozzarella, making sure to evenly spread it around, then place a lid on the pan and lower to a low-medium heat, simmer for 3 to 4 minutes or until the pasta is cooked al dente, then turn off the heat and remove the lid*take this step when the pasta you are using is 3 minutes shy of being cooked al dente, make sure to check package instructions on the pasta you are using
5. Top off the pasta with the grated Manchego cheese and some chopped parsley, serve at once, enjoy!

To make this recipe, I used canned tuna in olive oil. You can also use canned tuna in water if you like. However, I did use the reserved olive oil from the tuna to fry the patties. I topped the burgers off with some sliced tomato, red onion, shredded lettuce, and a simple homemade tzatziki that truly elevates the tuna patties. To add some heat to this burger, just add a dash of chili powder or hot smoked paprika.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: Once you have the tuna mixture well mixed, make sure to push down on it until you get a paste-like texture. This is to ensure all the ingredients are well bound. That way, once you cook your patties, they hold their shape and won’t fall apart.

Watch Albert making this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGAgy1KDSqA

Ultimate Tuna Burgers

Ingredients

FOR THE TUNA PATTIES

• 2 cans tuna in olive oil 4 oz / 110 grams each
• 1/4 cup plain breadcrumbs 35 grams
• 2 cage-free organic eggs
• 1 shallot (finely chopped)
• 1 clove garlic (finely grated)
• 2 tbsp chopped parsley 8 grams
• sea salt & black pepper

FOR THE TZATZIKI SAUCE

• 5 oz plain Greek yogurt 150 grams
• 1/4 cup grated cucumber 35 grams
• 1 clove garlic (finely grated)
• 1/2 tsp dried dill 1 gram
• 2 tsp lemon juice 10 ml
• 1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 8 ml
• sea salt & black pepper

EXTRAS

• 3 hamburger buns (lightly toasted)
• 1 tomato (thinly sliced)
• 1/2 red onion (thinly sliced)
• handful shredded lettuce

Instructions

1. Drain the cans of tuna into a fine sieve with a bowl underneath, gently flake the tuna to remove any excess oil, then transfer into a large bowl, along with the breadcrumbs, eggs, chopped shallot, grated garlic, chopped parsley, and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together, then mash down on the mixture until you get a paste-like texture
2. Transfer the mixture over a clean flat surface, cut into 3 evenly sized pieces, then shape each one into a ball, making sure to squeeze the mixture in your hand, this is to ensure everything is well bound, then gently mash down on each ball to shape the patties, about 1 1/2 cm (5/8 inch) thick
3. Heat a large fry pan with a medium heat and add in the reserved olive oil from the canned tuna
4. After a couple of minutes add in the tuna patties, fry for 5 minutes per side or until cooked through and golden fried
5. In the meantime make the tzatziki, add the Greek yogurt into a bowl, then add the grated cucumber over some paper towels and squeeze the water out, transfer the cucumber into the bowl with yogurt, then add in the grated garlic, dried dill, lemon juice, and olive oil, then season with sea salt and a generous portion of black pepper, and whisk together until well mixed
6. Once the tuna patties are cooked through and golden fried, about 5 minutes per side, remove from the pan
7. To assemble the burgers, add some of the tzatziki over the bottom bun, then add one of the tuna patties, some sliced tomato, sliced red onion, and shredded lettuce, then add another dollop of the tzatziki over the top bun and place over the burger, enjoy!

This Spanish-Style Tuna and Potato Stew, known as Guiso de Atún en Conserva con Patatas, is what simple and delicious food is all about. We’re talking a ton of flavors, easy to make and all done in a little over 40 minutes. Serve it next to a crunchy baguette and a bottle of Spanish red wine from Ribera del Duero for a complete meal.

TIPS & TRICKS to Make this Recipe: This stew will hold for up to 3 to 4 days in the fridge and freeze for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Just add in some liquid when reheating if it’s too thick.

Spanish-Style Tuna and Potato Stew

Watch Albert preparing this recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRgRDS_p8Wo

Ingredients

• 2 cans tuna in olive oil 4 oz / 110 grams each
• 1 onion
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 green bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar 15 ml
• 1 tsp sweet smoked Spanish paprika 2.50 grams
• 1/2 tsp hot smoked Spanish paprika 1.25 grams
• 2 tomatoes (finely grated)
• 3 potatoes (peeled) 1 1/2 lbs / 750 grams
• 3 cups vegetable broth 720 ml
• 1 bay leaf
• sea salt & black pepper
• fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Drain the cans of tuna into a fine sieve with a bowl underneath, gently flake the tuna to remove any excess oil, roughly chop the onion, roughly chop the garlic and cut the red & green bell peppers into small bite-sized pieces
2. Heat a stock pot with a medium heat and add in 3 tbsp (45 ml) of the reserved olive oil from the canned tuna
3. After a couple of minutes add in the chopped vegetables, mix every 1 to 2 minutes so everything evenly sautes, after 4 to 5 minutes and the vegetables are lightly sauteed, add in the vinegar, sweet smoked paprika and hot smoked paprika, quickly mix together, then add in the grated tomatoes, mix together and then simmer
4. In the meantime, cut the potatoes into small bite-sized pieces that are 1/2 inch thick (1.25 cm)
5. After 4 to 5 minutes and the grated tomato has slightly thickened, add in the chopped potatoes and season with sea salt & black pepper, mix together, then add in the vegetable broth and bay leaf, turn it up to a high heat and give it a gentle mix
6. Once it comes to a boil, place a lid on the stock pot and lower to a low-medium heat
7. After simmering the stew for 20 minutes remove the lid, at this point the potatoes should be cooked through (you can always pierce them with a toothpick to ensure they are done), using a potato masher, gently mash down on the stew to break a couple of the potatoes apart, this is to help thicken the stew, then remove from the heat
8. Transfer into shallow bowls, top off with some of the reserved canned tuna, black pepper and fresh parsley, enjoy!