On Tuna Caldereta and Remembering Exes
A Healthy Meal Recipe in the Kitchen of Good Luck
By Tet Tobes
What do you do when you feel like eating something meaty and saucy but you’ve been eating meat for days and your mind says eat tuna...and you’re really hungry? You compromise. Like you always do, you know, when you’re in a relationship, when you’re still in a good relationship, when you still want to be in that relationship.
Tet Tobes and her healthy Tuna Caldereta
He’s into sci-fi, you’re into romance and drama but you find yourself spending more time watching Dr. Who with him than watching Steel Magnolias alone. He brings you to the airport, checks your outfit, stops the car, so handsomely tells you to change your quite-cleavage showing top to a buttoned-up boring shirt, and so you do. Because it’s less energy not to argue really and you feel like oh, gosh he does love me. That sort of thing. Of course, you change back when you get in the airport.
Yes, I’m talking about my ex or two. After reading this so far, it should be quite clear, that I am not in a new relationship. That’s for another recipe.
Oh, where was I? Tuna Caldereta. Your style. Whatever-is-in-the pantry style. I found cans of tuna in sunflower oil and a can of green beans. For one person, a can of tuna will do nicely. I cut up and fried the remaining sausage in the fridge and set aside. I’m out of potatoes so I didn’t use the carrot I have left.
I think potatoes and carrots go together in stewy food, one without the other is like eating vanilla ice cream without a moist chocolate slice of heavenly cake or warm brownie. Doesn’t really work for me.
The secret ingredient is of course, the sauce. But since this is not the day for making tomato sauce from scratch, this is a fast-food, Netflix-binge kind of day, just use whatever tomato sauce you have.
In a hot pan, use the sunflower oil from the can or add in olive olive, saute’ minced garlic, white onions or red, add in your preferred seasonings, the sauce, a bit of sugar if your sauce is too tangy, and finally, your drained green peas and tuna. If you want a cheesy sauce, go ahead and melt in some cheese. I like mine basic - no cheese for this dish.
Simmer for ten minutes or so, and serve immediately over piping steamed white rice in a warm bowl. Boom.
A savory, simple, healthy and delicious meal for those nights you just want to hop in the bed with your TV dinner meal, a fork in your hand, and just gorge while your eyes are glued to re-watching Bridgerton in preparation for Bridgerton season 3. Dear reader, I hungrily await.
And when your bowl is empty, you sink your fork into a thick slice of moist chocolate cake you bought on 50% off from this godsend cafe’ that sells on cheap at closing hours daily.
Priceless. The little joys of life are free.#
Note: Depending on appetite, this recipe is good for 1 - 4 servings.
About the writer: Tet Tobes is a US citizen thriving in her birthplace Cebu, Philippines as an environmental compliance expert and foodie.
