I am about to prepare dinner for friends - a lot of them! I want to surprise my guests with a recipe that takes me back to my childhood. My mother used to prepare this Pesce Finto (mock fish) for me and my brother. We are still big fans of this delicious dish made with tuna and potatoes. My mother always served the dish in funny shapes – just like I’m going to do tonight.
I'm proud to show you the picture of my tuna dragon! I'm always pressing my boyfriend to shoot the pics for this blog (almost every day!), so I think he deserves a double dragon portion and a kiss!
The recipe is basic, easy and cheap. The results are excellent. If you like, you can add a boiled egg, or use it to garnish. I must confess, I use readymade mayonnaise for this recipe. The homemade version is too heavy, but you can taste this and create your own version.
You must always add your personal secret ingredient: your creativity! Always add a nice glass of sparkling white wine too. Cheers to the dragons!
(PESCE FINTO/MOCK FISH)
2 kg (about 4 pounds) yellow potatoes
1 cup canned tuna in oil (choose a brand that saves the dolphins)
1 cup mixed pickles
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 tablespoon vinegar
Salt and pepper
Olives and gherkins to garnish
Peel potatoes and boil them in a large pot.
When the potatoes are ready, drain, and cut into small pieces. To achieve the proper texture for this recipe, use cold potatoes. Otherwise, it all goes to mush! While the potatoes are cooling, get a large mixing bowl, and mix drained tuna, chopped pickles, lemon juice, vinegar, salt and pepper. Now add cold chopped potatoes and 2 tablespoons of good olive oil. Mix it all together with a fork, making sure you still see some of the potato chunks.
Work the mixture into your favourite shape (a fish, a heart, etc.) with your hands or a spatula. Garnish as you like.
Serves 6 hungry friends
| Photo: Copyright 2011, Jacapo Pandolfini |
