Growing up, every time we had a party, baby shower, or family get-together, my mami would serve finger sandwiches (or sandwichitos as we called them) for an appetizer. I recall loving these sandwiches and eating way too many of them at a time. In fact, I loved them so much, that when I got older, I eventually asked her for the recipe so I could make my own finger sandwiches, party or not. (The funny thing is that even if I make them for at-home use and not a party, I still like to cut them up into tiny triangular finger sandwiches. It’s only right.)

When mami shared the recipe with me, I was surprised to learn that her finger sandwich recipe had a super-secret ingredient in it that I never knew about – tuna fish! I swear, you can’t even taste the tuna and the proof is that my baby girl once ate some of these finger sandwiches and didn’t complain. This finger sandwich recipe (or tea sandwich as some call them) was actually passed on to my mami by my father’s tía (aunt). Other than that, I have no idea where the recipe originated. But, it’s delicious and your guests will love your awesome finger sandwich appetizers!

Easy Tuna Fish Finger Sandwich Recipe – Great Party Appetizer Idea!

*Makes 100 Finger Sandwiches

Ingredients:

• 2 cans of Bumble Bee tuna fish, in water, drained
• Roasted red peppers, canned or jarred, drained
• Sandwich spread, 15 oz.
• Kraft Cheez Whiz, 15 oz.
• White bread

Steps:

1. Mix tuna fish and red peppers in blender.
2. Add sandwich spread and Cheez Whiz to the blended mix and stir well.
3. Spread mixture on 2 pieces of bread and make a sandwich.
4. Cut crusts off bread and cut sandwich into quarters, in a triangle shape.
5. Serve and enjoy!

You can actually make the mixture and refrigerate it for later, if you don’t necessarily want a bunch of finger sandwiches or don’t have the need for that many for your party.

Do you have a favorite finger sandwich (or tea sandwich) recipe you serve at parties?

Disclosure: modernmami is a member of the Bumble Bee Squad through Bumble Bee Foods.

Photos copyright Melanie Edwards/modernmami.com

Source: BumbleBee.com

Editor’s note: This week, we’ve taken a look at various tuna fish recipes, including tuna recipes for lunch and dinner. But, does anyone eat tuna for breakfast? Check out the recipes I found!

I’m sure when most people think of tuna fish, they immediately think of lunch. I know that’s the first thing that comes to my mind, with dinner being a close second if I think of dishes like tuna casserole. However, I’ve never considered eating tuna for breakfast. Sausage? Sure. Bacon? Of course! Even corned beef has been a part of my breakfast in the past. But, I’ve never had tuna for breakfast.

As I thought about tuna fish lunch recipes and tuna dinner recipes to share with you, I started to wonder if tuna was something anyone ate for breakfast and if there were any tuna breakfast recipes out there. I found out there are indeed a variety of tuna fish and salmon recipes for breakfast or brunch that can make your next morning meal a different, yet delicious one. Check out these fun ideas for adding tuna or salmon to your breakfast!

Tuna Fish and Salmon Breakfast (or Brunch) Recipes

• King Neptune’s Quiche from BumbleBee.com
• Lunar Tuna Scramble from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Omelet With Cream Cheese from Food.com
• Salmon and Cream Cheese Bagel with Egg from BumbleBee.com
• Salmon and Feta Brunch Pie from BumbleBee.com
• Salmon and Vegetable Frittata from BumbleBee.com
• Scrambled Eggs with Tuna from Healthy Food

I think the tuna scramble or scrambled eggs with tuna are probably the easiest and simplest ways to introduce tuna fish into your breakfast meals. I am thinking about trying them myself to see how my family likes it.

Have you ever tried tuna fish for breakfast?

Disclosure: modernmami is a member of the Bumble Bee Squad through Bumble Bee Foods.

Source: Brian Henry Thompson/Flickr

Editor’s note: After checking out some tuna fish appetizer and lunch recipes yesterday, how about some tuna dinner ideas? No more tuna salad though, let’s try warm tuna fish dinner dishes.

You’ve finished your work for the day, the kids are home from school, your spouse is walking in the door, and everyone is hungry. Then comes the dreaded question as you look through the cabinets and freezer, “What’s for dinner?” This time of day can be one of the most stressful for working mothers, (and increasingly, for working fathers as well.) While everyone else winds down from a busy day, if you’re the one tasked with making dinner, then your busy day continues as evening mealtime approaches. According to the “It’s Dinnertime” survey, “Eight in ten families make dinner at home at least five times a week.”

So if it’s your turn to make dinner, but you forgot to defrost meat from the freezer and you want a warm, well-balanced meal for your family, here are a few quick recipes made with tuna fish to make your evening a little less hectic.

Warm Tuna Fish Dishes for Dinner

• Tuna Rangoon from Can You Stay For Dinner
• Tuna Pomodoro from Eating Well
• Tuna Risotto from BusyCooks.About.com
• English Muffin Tuna Pizza from BumbleBee.com
• Classic Tuna Casserole from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Tetrazzini from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Linguine Tapenade from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Loaf from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Vegetable Chowder from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Cornbread Cakes from MyRecipes.com
• Lemon Garlic Tuna Burgers from Can You Stay For Dinner
• Tuna, Tomato and White Bean Bow Ties from Rachael Ray

How do you manage the chaos of dinner time as a working mother?

Disclosure: modernmami is a member of the Bumble Bee Squad through Bumble Bee Foods.

Source: Michelle Riggen-Ransom/Flickr

Editor’s note: Today’s tuna fish recipe collection takes a look at tuna appetizer and lunch ideas. These recipes can double as either a great party starter or a simple bagged lunch.

We’ve been talking tuna this week and have featured Latino-inspired tuna fish recipes, as well as kid-friendly tuna recipes. But, let’s learn a bit more about tuna fish and its benefits, before diving in for a few tuna appetizer and light lunch ideas!

According to the National Fisheries Institute:

• Of those Americans who eat canned tuna, the vast majority, 83 percent, eat it for lunch. In fact, canned tuna is the only regularly consumed seafood at lunch.
• Over one half of canned tuna, 52 percent, is used in sandwiches.
• Households with children under 18 are about twice as likely to have tuna sandwiches available than households without children.

(Source)

You see that? 52% of canned tuna is used in sandwiches – but, while that makes a great lunch, you won’t find any tuna sandwiches in this post. Let’s get a little more creative with lunch and see what else we can make with tuna fish. (These recipes make great appetizers too!)

Tuna Fish Appetizer & Lunch Ideas

• Tuna Appetizers on Crackers on Ciao Florentina
• Tuna Apple Mini Melts on SouthernLiving
• Tuna Cucumber Bites on Life with Levi
• Muffins with Tuna, Parmesan, and Sun Dried Tomatoes on Blog Stew
• Wasabi Tuna Salad Crescent Appetizers on Nibbles and Feasts
• Tuna Croquettes on Easy Appetizer Recipes
• Tiny Tuna Melts from Martha Stewart
• Spicy Thai Tuna Rolls on BumbleBee.com
• Rice Paper Tuna Wrap from Prevention
• Sweet Potato Tuna Balls from Food.com
• Tuna Salad in Cucumber Cups from SweetBay Supermarket
• Balsamic Tuna Bruschetta on iVillage

What is your favorite creative way to eat tuna fish for lunch or as an appetizer?

Disclosure: modernmami is a member of the Bumble Bee Squad through Bumble Bee Foods.

Source: Dinner Series/Flickr

Editor’s note: Our tuna fish week continues, with a look at some kid-friendly tuna fish recipes that I hope your kids will enjoy! Hopefully, my daughter will give them a try too!

As parents, we try to give our children a variety of foods and make sure they have a balanced diet as much as possible, but for those of us with picky eaters, things can get complicated. I know, because my seven-year-old baby girl is still a picky eater! So, how can you get your kids to eat a healthy food like tuna when on any particular week, they refuse everything but bananas and breakfast cereal?

The best way to convince your kids to try something new is to either hide a healthy food in something they love, or to make it as fun and colorful as possible. Would your daughter pick at the tuna sandwich you make her for lunch? Try using a cookie cutter to make it into the shape of a heart to increase the chances of her eating it or make a fun scene on their plate using cut vegetables and fruit. My daughter loves when I cut her sandwiches into hearts, dinosaurs, or trains!

Need ideas for some kid-friendly tuna recipes? Give these a try!

7 Kid-Friendly Tuna Fish Recipes

• Tuna Mac from SparkRecipes
• S.S. Tuna Schooner from KitchenDaily
• Tuna Boats from Can do Street
• Colorful Tuna “Sushi” for Kids from Super Healthy Kids
• Tuna Pizza from BumbleBee.com (Make this one more kid-friendly by making individual mini-sized pizzas and creating a smiley face out of vegetable toppings!)
• Tuna in a Pita Pocket from Guardian.co.uk
• Telly’s Tuna Triangles from Sesame Street (be sure to show them the website!)

Do you have a picky eater? What are some tricks you’ve learned to get them to eat new foods?

Disclosure: modernmami is a member of the Bumble Bee Squad through Bumble Bee Foods.

Source: BumbleBee.com

Editor’s note: With 2013 around the corner, I know many are searching for new recipes to add to their menu plans in the new year. A food I often overlook (and I think many do as well) is tuna fish. Over the next week, we’re going to be talking tuna fish – not only learning more about its health benefits, but also exploring new recipes to try at home!

When I say tuna, what is the first dish you think of? For most people that would be a tuna sandwich or a tuna casserole, but tuna (or atún in Spanish) has its place in Latin American dishes as well. A few of the many benefits to substituting tuna in place of other proteins are that it’s more affordable, contains Omega-3 Fatty Acids, and it’s lower in cholesterol and fat than white or red meat. Tuna is also incredibly versatile as you’ll see by the mouth watering Latino-inspired recipes I’ve rounded up below. Think tuna can’t have a bit of sabor Latino (Latin flavor)? Think again!

13 Latino-Inspired Tuna Recipes To Try Tonight!

• Mexican Tuna Burgers from La Cocina de Leslie
• Jalapeños Stuffed with Tuna from Sweet Life Bake
• Ceviche de Atún from iFoodTV
• Rene Ortiz’s Atún Tostadas Botana from The Latin Kitchen
• Mexican Tuna Salad from ¡Hola! Jalapeño
• Torticas de Atún from My Colombian Recipes
• Croquetas de Atún with Poblano Cream Sauce from Amy Hernandez on the Examiner.com
• Ensalada de Papa con Atún from My Colombian Recipes
• Tuna Empanadas from Kathleen is Cooking in Mexico
• Silvia’s Mexican Tuna Salad from Mama Latina Tips
• Savory Southwest Tuna Cakes from BumbleBee.com
• Tuna Tacos (pictured above) from BumbleBee.com
• Lemon Pepper Tuna Burritos from BumbleBee.com

Do you have a favorite Latino-inspired tuna dish? Share it in the comments!

Disclosure: modernmami is a member of the Bumble Bee Squad through Bumble Bee Foods.

I grew up eating tuna fish. It was a quick lunch solution – mix tuna with mayo, spread on bread, and you had a quick sandwich! My mom often made those for us, so naturally it became a go-to meal for me as I got older and especially when away at college. It’s actually still a part of my lunch menu every so often, though I’ve “upgraded” the sandwich by adding mustard, cheese, lettuce, and sometimes tomato. Exotic, isn’t it?

Because tuna has been a part of my life for so long, it was easy for me to say yes when Bumble Bee Foods asked if I wanted to partner with them this year and become a member of the Bumble Bee Squad. I am looking forward to learning more about new ways I can use tuna for various meals.

Bumble Bee actually has many recipes on their site and information on how they’re encouraging healthier living. In particular, they have the BeeWell For Life program, where you can log exercise you do, fitness challenges completed, and calories you eat, all benefiting the cause of your choice from the following three: The American Diabetes Association, WomenHeart, and Y-ME.

If you want some great tuna fish recipes, try these I came across, some from Bumble Bee!

• Garden Vegetable Medley Skillet
• Finnish No Mayo Tuna Salad
• Tuna Burgers
• Lemon & Pepper Tuna Salad
• Mexican Tuna Salad

Look for more tuna-inspired posts, recipes, and Bumble Bee Foods information throughout the year! Do you have a favorite tuna fish recipe? 

As part of our partnership with Bumble Bee, I attended the Mom 2.0 Summit thanks to Bumble Bee Foods. The conference was in Miami, Florida and I loved attending this conference for the first time. If you want to see some of the conference tweets and articles, you can follow the #mom2summit hashtag on Twitter. I’m working on another post to share insights from this conference.

Photo: kozumel/Flickr