Ultimate Sandwich: Mediterranean Tuna Melt with Balsamic-Infused Onion

My husband and I like to cook together, although with a baby running around now, it’s more like one watches him and one cooks! But when we were challenged to come up with “the ultimate sandwich” using our Black & Decker toaster oven, we put our thinking caps on, and worked together to come up with something interesting! We decided a twist on the classic tuna melt sandwich would be our choice! It turned out SO good!

MEDITERRANEAN TUNA MELT with BALSAMIC-INFUSED ONION

• 1 can chunk white tuna
• 1/2 red onion
• several slices Gruyere cheese (any sharp cheese like Swiss will do)
• Ciabatta bread
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Balsamic vinegar
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions:

• Cut several slices of red onion, about an 1/8″ thick. Put in a bowl and drizzle with balsamic vinegar. Allow to soak for an hour or more. Then broil the onion slices in the broiler pan for about 5 minutes or until slightly browned.

• Slice the Ciabatta bread into 1/2″ thick slices; put into toaster oven and toast lightly (not too much!)
• Thinly slice your Gruyere (or other sharp) cheese)

• Mix the entire can of tun with about 1 Tablespoon olive oil, and 1 Tablespoon Balsamic vinegar (to taste/texture, should make tuna stick together slightly but not be soggy). Add salt & pepper to taste.

• Assemble the sandwich: on one slice of bread spread about 2-3 Tablespoons of tuna. Layer on slices of cheese to cover. Place several rings of broiled onions on top of cheese.
• Melt! Put the assembled sandwich open-faced into the toaster oven. Place the top toast slice on the side to continue toasting as well. Toast until cheese has just melted.

• Remove from toaster oven and put on plate. Add several fresh basil leaves. Top with remaining toast slice.

• ENJOY!!

What I love about this sandwich:

This sandwich does not have an overpowering taste, despite using strongly flavored ingredients like tuna, vinegar, and onion. The balsamic vinegar adds a bright note, and the onion adds a sweet note due to the balsamic infusion, and because it caramelizes during broiling. The sharp cheese also mellows a bit and really brings the whole sandwich together. Using basil leaves instead of regular lettuce gives a Mediterrenean touch!

Also, the vinegar/oil dressing is a nice change up from mayo, which is great for people who don’t like mayonnaise anyway. We chose to use Ciabatta bread for a good crispy texture, and to continue the Mediterranean theme!

It’s a delicious and light sandwich! We’ll be making this again!

So what’s your Ultimate Sandwich?

This post was written for Family Review Network & Black & Decker who provided a complimentary product for participation in this contest.