One year, when I had an abundance—I’m talking bushels and bushels—of apples, and was searching for new ideas to use them, I discovered that besides apple pie or apple crisp—which are both delicious—apples are a tasty addition to many savory recipes. Maybe it’s a New England thing, but cheddar cheese is often served with apple slices, so I asked myself, why not mix diced apples with tuna fish when making a tuna melt? Since I was in the middle of writing my Little Dog Diner series, the Little Dog Diner Tuna Melt Surprise was born!
Mixing diced apples with the tuna fish added a surprising burst of crisp, tart flavor that paired perfectly with melted cheddar cheese. There’s something comforting about a tuna/apple mixture stuffed between two slices of thick bread, toasted to a crispy perfection, with cheddar cheese
oozing out with every bite.
Now, if I’m short on time around the holidays, unexpected guests show up, or I’m just in the mood for something that’s quick, easy, and delicious, the Little Dog Diner Tuna Melt Surprise is always on the menu.
Little Dog Diner Tuna Melt Surprise
Inspired by the Little Dog Diner series set in Maine.
INGREDIENTS
5-oz. can solid white tuna fish, drained
1 tbsp. mayonnaise plus extra for coating one side of each piece of bread
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
Cheddar cheese slices enough to cover one piece of bread
1 small apple, diced into small pieces
1 tbsp. minced parsley
2 thick slices of bread for one sandwich
Salt and pepper to taste
Splash of lemon juice
SERVING SIZE: 1 large sandwich | TIME: 15 minutes
DIRECTIONS
Mix drained tuna, mayo, diced apple, mustard, parsley, salt and pepper. Add the splash of lemon juice and mix again.
Spread mayo on one side of each slice of bread (this is the outside of the sandwich)
Layer cheese and tuna mixture on bread, cover with another slice of bread – mayonnaise to the outside. (If the tuna mix doesn’t all fit, just enjoy it while your sandwich is cooking.)
Heat pan with a drizzle of olive oil, then turn to medium. Cast iron works great!
Carefully place each sandwich on preheated pan. Adjust heat as needed so bread doesn’t burn. When one side is crisp, flip and cook the other side until the cheese is melted and the bread is golden brown. If you have a sandwich press, use it after you flip the sandwich.
Serve with sweet potato fries, potato chips, pickle, or tomatoes and enjoy!
Note: If you don’t like tuna fish, cheddar cheese plus apple slices is also delicious!
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EMMIE LYN is the author of Mixing Up Murder and the rest of the Little Dog Diner series. Find out more about Emmie on her website! Emmielynbooks.com
