Cheese And Ahi Tuna: Perfect Pairing For A Delicious Dish

Tuna and cheese is a classic combination, but what is the best cheese to pair with ahi tuna? Ahi tuna is often served as a steak, in a salad, or in a sandwich melt—and each of these dishes calls for a different type of cheese. For a gourmet twist on the classic tuna melt sandwich, Gruyere and cheddar are popular choices. For a salad, feta is a good option. Harder cheeses like cheddar and gouda go well with firmer fish like tuna.

Gruyere and cheddar cheese in an ahi tuna melt sandwich

Ahi tuna melt sandwiches are a gourmet twist on the classic tuna melt sandwich. This sandwich is a delicious combination of seared ahi tuna steak, cheese, and other ingredients of your choice.

Ingredients

To make an ahi tuna melt sandwich with Gruyere and cheddar cheese, you will need the following ingredients:

• Ahi tuna steaks
• Bread (French Boule, Pane Toscano, sourdough, rye, or whole grain)
• Butter
• Salt and pepper
• Oil (canola or olive)
• Mayonnaise
• Wasabi paste
• Avocado
• Gruyere cheese
• Cheddar cheese

Optional Ingredients

You can also add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour of your sandwich, such as:

• Spinach
• Pecorino Romano cheese
• Onion
• Dijon mustard
• Dill

Instructions

• Combine mayonnaise and wasabi paste in a small bowl and set aside.
• Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels, then rub them with oil and season with salt and pepper.
• Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and add the tuna steaks. Cook for 5-7 minutes, turning halfway through, until the steaks are seared and still pink in the centre.
• Assemble the sandwiches by spreading the bread slices with the wasabi mayonnaise. Layer Gruyere cheese, tuna, avocado, and cheddar cheese on top of two bread slices. Add the remaining bread slices, mayonnaise side down.
• Spread butter on the tops and bottoms of the sandwiches.
• Heat the same skillet over medium heat and cook the sandwiches, covered, for 3 minutes on each side, until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted.
• Cut each sandwich in half and serve immediately.

Tips

• If you want to add some extra flavour to your sandwich, try using apple-smoked Gruyere cheese.
• You can also add some spinach, onion, and Pecorino Romano cheese to your sandwich for extra nutrition and flavour.
• For a healthier option, leave out the mayonnaise and use canned tuna instead of seared tuna steaks.

Feta cheese in an ahi tuna Greek chopped salad

Feta cheese is a great addition to an ahi tuna Greek chopped salad. This salad is not your typical tuna salad, as it is packed with fresh greens, bell peppers, red onion, olives, European cucumber, and topped with seared fresh tuna fillets. The feta cheese adds a creamy, salty flavour to the dish, complementing the other ingredients perfectly.

Ingredients:

• 4 ahi tuna steaks (4-6 oz each)
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil or cooking spray
• Optional: Balsamic Glaze
• 4 cups prewashed spring mix, baby salad greens, or spinach/arugula mix, roughly chopped
• 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
• 1 small red onion, finely diced
• 1 cup grape tomatoes, halved
• ½ of a seedless English cucumber, finely diced
• ½ cup kalamata olives, sliced
• 2 ounces of feta cheese, crumbled (the kind that comes in brine)
• Garlic salad dressing of your choice
• Optional: sliced green onions as a garnish

Instructions:

• Sear the Tuna: Season both sides of the ahi tuna steaks with salt and pepper. Heat a large skillet or cast iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil, then place the ahi fillet in the pan and sear each side for 2-3 minutes. Set the seared ahi tuna aside on a plate while you prepare the salad.
• Prepare the Greek Chopped Salad: In a large bowl, combine the greens, red pepper, red onion, grape tomatoes, cucumber, and olives. Add your desired amount of salad dressing and toss until the salad is completely coated.
• Assemble the Dish: Transfer the Greek Chopped Salad to a large serving platter. Place the Seared Ahi Tuna Steaks on top of the salad. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the salad and tuna steaks. For an extra touch, drizzle the seared ahi tuna steaks with balsamic glaze.

This salad is a delicious and healthy option, perfect for a quick lunch or a special date night. It offers a unique twist on a typical grilled chicken salad and can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Goat cheese or feta cheese to balance the saltiness of ahi tuna

Goat cheese and feta cheese are both delicious options to balance out the saltiness of ahi tuna.

Goat cheese, or chèvre in French, is a versatile cheese that has been made for thousands of years. It is made using goat milk and can be light and creamy, or rich and savoury. It is a perfect complement to a summer salad, and it can also be used as a base for appetizers. Goat cheese has a salty and creamy taste, and it can be crumbled or sliced to add texture to a dish.

Feta is an ancient cheese, dating back nearly 3,000 years. It is traditionally made using sheep milk, but it can also be made with goat or cow milk, or a combination of these. Like goat cheese, feta is salty and tangy, and it can be crumbled or sliced to add flavour and texture to a dish. Feta can be grilled or fried to create memorable dishes.

Both goat cheese and feta cheese can be used to balance the saltiness of ahi tuna, depending on your preference. For example, a recipe for a seared ahi tuna salad includes goat cheese in the balsamic vinaigrette, while another recipe for a Greek chopped salad with seared ahi tuna includes feta cheese.

Swiss cheese in a grilled ahi tuna melt sandwich

A grilled tuna melt sandwich is a delicious twist on the classic tuna melt sandwich. While the traditional tuna melt is made with canned tuna, a grilled tuna melt uses fresh ahi tuna steaks, which are seared to perfection and layered with melted cheese.

Ingredients

• Fresh ahi tuna steaks
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Swiss cheese
• Bread of your choice (rye, baguette, or white bread)
• Butter
• Optional: Cornichon caper aioli, wasabi mayonnaise, or other condiments and seasonings

Instructions

Start by seasoning the ahi tuna steaks with olive oil, salt, and pepper. You can also add other seasonings or spices to enhance the flavour. Grill the tuna steaks over medium-high heat to your desired doneness. If you're using sushi-grade ahi tuna, you can cook it rare or with a quick sear. For a more well-done tuna, cook it for about 3 minutes on each side.

While the tuna is grilling, prepare your bread by brushing it with olive oil or butter. Grill or toast your bread until lightly crispy.

Once the tuna is cooked to your liking, place it on the grilled bread and top with Swiss cheese. You can also add other ingredients like avocado, arugula, or celery leaves for extra flavour and texture.

Return the sandwich to the grill and cook until the cheese is melted and the bread is toasted. You can also bake the sandwich in the oven for a few minutes to melt the cheese.

Serve your grilled ahi tuna melt sandwich warm, with a side of potato chips and a pickle. Enjoy the combination of melted Swiss cheese and grilled ahi tuna!

Mild cheddar, American, or gouda in a grilled tuna and cheese sandwich

A grilled tuna and cheese sandwich is a delightful twist on the classic grilled cheese sandwich. While you can use any cheese you like, mild cheddar, American, or gouda are all excellent choices. Here's how to make a delicious grilled tuna and cheese sandwich with these cheeses:

Choosing the Right Cheese

Mild cheddar, American, and gouda are all popular cheeses that pair well with tuna. They each have their unique characteristics:

• Mild cheddar is a classic, sharp-tasting cheese that melts relatively well.
• American cheese has a creamy and salty flavour and is known for its high melting point, making it ideal for grilled sandwiches.
• Gouda, especially young to medium-aged gouda, has a nutty, caramel-like flavour and melts beautifully.

Preparing the Tuna

For a grilled tuna and cheese sandwich, you can use canned tuna or fresh tuna steaks. If using canned tuna, simply drain and mix it with mayonnaise and diced onion. If using fresh tuna, sear the tuna steaks in a skillet after seasoning them with salt and pepper and rubbing with oil.

Assembling the Sandwich

Butter your bread on one side and place it butter-side down in a skillet. Spread the tuna mixture (for canned tuna) or place the seared tuna steaks on the bread. Top it with shredded mild cheddar, American, or gouda cheese. Close the sandwich with another slice of bread, butter-side up. Grill the sandwich until the bread is toasted and the cheese is melted.

Serving Suggestions

Grilled tuna and cheese sandwiches go well with a variety of sides. You can serve them warm with potato chips, dill pickles, or a cup of hot tomato soup. For a more substantial meal, pair the sandwich with a salad, such as a Greek chopped salad with seared ahi tuna.

Frequently asked questions