Appetizers and Snacks/ Gluten Free/ Seafood/ Sponsored/ Vegetables

Tuna Rillettes in Endive

Tuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves. Tuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves ~ The Complete Savorist #OnlyAlbacore #CG #BumbleBeeTunaAre you wondering what a rillettes is? Well, think pâté but no liver. It’s meat that is cooked in fat, then made smooth and spread on toast. Clearly, I am going with a loose interpretation of a rillette.

Last fall I had a salmon rillette at a wine dinner hosted at one of my favorite local places. Chef Barney left the salmon in chunks vs making it smooth, so since he’s the professional, I can follow his example and leave my tuna in chunks. Plus it’s so much prettier when left whole.

And prettier is what matters when you’re having a tapas party. I adore tapas. Tiny plates of food…many tiny plates of food. It’s really my heaven. I get a couple of bites of something wonderful and then I get to move onto the next dish.

The great thing about having a tapas dinner party is you don’t have to make the full meal yourself, and you don’t have to make a huge amount of food to feed all the guests. If you and friends are going to get together for a pot luck, and do it up tapas-style. You can’t go wrong with this dish. It’s high in protein, super easy, and quick to put together (not counting the 90 minutes it’s chilling out in the fridge). Bumble Bee® offers responsibly wild caught Albacore that is delicious, versatile, high in protein and absolutely perfect as the main ingredient in any meal. *see their website for full nutritional facts.Tuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves ~ The Complete Savorist #OnlyAlbacore #CG #BumbleBeeTunaTuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves ~ The Complete Savorist #OnlyAlbacore #CG #BumbleBeeTuna

Tuna Rillettes in Endive

Servings: 20
Author: Michelle De La Cerda
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Ingredients

  • 1-12 oz can Bumble Bee® Solid White Albacore in Water; drained completely
  • 1-2 tbsp Cognac
  • 1 large shallot/2 medium; diced
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 1/4 cup bacon renderings
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 2 heads Belgium endive (about 20 leaves)

Optional garnish

  • Freshly chopped parsley
  • Bacon crumbles or pieces
  • Scallions

Instructions

  1. Pour the tuna into a fine wire mesh sieve and allow to thoroughly drain.
  2. Once the tuna has fully drained, add it to a large bowl.
  3. Pour the cognac over the tuna and using a fork, mix it in, breaking up the really large chunks.
  4. Cover and chill for 30 minutes.
  5. Melt butter in a pan over medium heat and sauté the diced shallots until soft, about 5 minutes.
  6. Add the shallots and remaining melted butter to the tuna along with the liquid bacon renderings, parsley, salt and pepper. Mix well, taking care to blend all the ingredients together. Cover and chill for at least one hour.
  7. Remove the endive leaves from the stalk, clean, and trim.
  8. Spoon the tuna rillettes into the individual leaves.
  9. Garnish with the optional ingredients, if desired.

Tuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves ~ The Complete Savorist #OnlyAlbacore #CG #BumbleBeeTunaI loved how these Tuna Rillettes in Endive turned out. The cognac can be omitted if you are not comfortable using alcohol, but it truly enhances the flavor of this dish. I used Bumble Bee® Solid White Albacore Tuna for its firm texture, light color, and fresh taste. I wanted the chunks of meat to stand out. To learn more about to learn more about Bumble Bee® Solid White Albacore Tuna, check out their “Only Bumble Bee® Albacore Will Do” page.Tuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves ~ The Complete Savorist #OnlyAlbacore #CG #BumbleBeeTunaTuna Rillettes in Endive ~ New take on a French classic, water-packed tuna mixed with shallots sautéed in butter, parsley, bacon renderings, and cognac and placed in endive leaves ~ The Complete Savorist #OnlyAlbacore #CG #BumbleBeeTuna

I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.

Thank you for sharing!

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30 Comments

  • Reply
    Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshines
    February 15, 2016 at 4:57 am

    O yes! What a great appetizer or tapas! Tuna always saves us for quick and easy too! 😉

  • Reply
    Meg @ With Salt and Wit
    February 15, 2016 at 6:39 am

    These would make a great lunch option! So simple and they look so flavorful!

  • Reply
    Christie
    February 15, 2016 at 7:29 am

    I love that you pour cognac over the tuna. Sounds all kinds of wonderful.

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      February 19, 2016 at 11:13 am

      I confess, it was absolutely amazing. I was worried, but it was perfect.

  • Reply
    christine (@foodyschmoody)
    February 15, 2016 at 8:29 am

    I love the presentation w the endive as the serving vessel.

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      February 19, 2016 at 11:14 am

      It makes it fun to eat, a little different than the traditional crostini.

  • Reply
    Florian @ContentednessCooking
    February 15, 2016 at 8:49 am

    Love the you use endive here. Such a wonderful lettuce. Great recipe!

    • Reply
      Michelle De La Cerda
      February 19, 2016 at 11:15 am

      Thank you Florian. I wish I could tell you how to make this vegan, but you’d be left with endive, shallots, and cognac….but if anyone can turn that into something amazing, it’s you.

  • Reply
    Lauren @ Wicked Spatula
    February 15, 2016 at 9:49 am

    Yum! This would make a perfect light snack!

  • Reply
    Nutmeg Nanny
    February 15, 2016 at 3:38 pm

    I love using tuna but usually it’s just in a boring salad. Love that you paired it with bacon and delicious endive.

  • Reply
    Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama
    February 15, 2016 at 4:53 pm

    I have never heard of rillettes until now, and now I want to try them! This all sounds amazing- tuna & bacon stuffed in endive? Yes, please! 🙂

  • Reply
    Julie @ Texan New Yorker
    February 15, 2016 at 8:22 pm

    I love your interpretation of rillettes! Especially a low-carb version with the Endive leaves. 🙂

  • Reply
    Megan Keno
    February 15, 2016 at 9:50 pm

    What a great idea! This would be a great light lunch or appetizer!

  • Reply
    linda spiker
    February 16, 2016 at 8:18 am

    Fabulous! Love the combo of tuna and bacon!

  • Reply
    eat good 4 life
    February 17, 2016 at 6:30 am

    Such a great appetizer. These would fly in my house!!

  • Reply
    Kristyn
    February 19, 2016 at 7:48 pm

    This is such a lovely-looking appetizer! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Debra @ Bowl Me Over
    February 19, 2016 at 8:20 pm

    What a great way to enjoy tuna – love that it’s “bread-less”!!

  • Reply
    Healing Tomato
    February 21, 2016 at 8:11 pm

    I find this to be a very creative recipe. The endives look just like boats. Great job

  • Reply
    Sam | Ahead of Thyme
    February 22, 2016 at 6:39 pm

    Yum, these look so good! Thanks for sharing!

  • Reply
    Des @ Life's Ambrosia
    February 26, 2016 at 11:34 pm

    What a great way to use tuna! I am always looking for new ways to use it, I don’t use it nearly enough!

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