The Ultimate Tuna Melt Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and set the rack about 4 to 5 inches from the heat source.
• Spread the bread out on a baking sheet and toast. Spread the toasted muffins or bread with the mayonnaise, if using. Top with the Tuna Salad and then the shredded cheese. Place the baking sheet under the broiler and heat for 3 to 5 minutes, until the cheese has melted. Serve immediately.
• In a small mixing bowl break up the tuna with a fork. Toss with the celery, onion, and parsley. Add the mayonnaise, mustard, and season with pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Add lemon juice, if using.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, flake the tuna finely with a fork. Add the celery, scallions, and dill, and continue mixing and fluffing with the fork until combined. Add the lemon juice, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Combine the mayonnaise and anchovy paste, if using, and mix into the tuna.
• Preheat the broiler. Toast the bread in a toaster and place the slices in a single layer on a sheet pan. Spread a quarter of the tuna mixture thickly and evenly on each piece of bread, covering the entire slice. Sprinkle the cheese evenly on the 4 sandwiches, covering the tuna completely. Broil for 1 to 2 minutes, just until the cheese melts and starts to brown. (Watch it carefully!) Sprinkle with the microgreens and serve hot.

Steps:

• You can substitute Swiss or cheddar cheese for the provolone. It's important to use the albacore tuna called for in the recipe; albacore is a firm, white tuna that holds up better than flaked tuna.
• When picking lemons, look for ones that are firm with skin that is smooth and bright. They will keep for two to three weeks if stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. To get more juice out of your fruit, let the lemon return to room temperature, and then roll it across the counter top while applying pressure with the palm of your hand. You'll get about 3 tablespoons of juice from one lemon. Since you only need 1 tablespoon of juice for this recipe, you can either squeeze just one-half of the lemon (and section the rest for use in drinks), or you could squeeze the entire lemon and store the remaining juice in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
• Preheat broiler. Combine first 8 ingredients in a medium bowl. Divide evenly among muffin halves; sprinkle with cheese. Place on a baking sheet; broil 5 inches from heat for 4 minutes or until golden brown.

Steps:

• Place the tuna in a medium bowl and flake with a fork. Add the mayonnaise, cornichons, red onion, lemon juice, dill (if using), mustard, salt and pepper. Mix well.
• Depending on the size of your bread, spoon 1/3 to 1/2 cup tuna salad on each of four slices of bread, heaping it in the middle slightly. Divide the cheese among the sandwiches, tearing and arranging the cheese to fit neatly. Place a piece of bread on top of each and generously spread the top piece of each sandwich with about 1/2 tablespoon butter.
• Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium-low. Place two sandwiches, buttered-side down, in the skillet, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until the bottom pieces of bread are golden brown.
• Meanwhile, spread the top of the each sandwich with another 1/2 tablespoon butter. Carefully flip the sandwiches, turn the heat to low, and cook for 3 to 4 more minutes, until the bottoms are browned and the cheese is melted. Repeat with the remaining two sandwiches and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Combine ½ medium onion, thinly sliced, and 1 cup seasoned rice vinegar in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Gently mix two 5-oz. cans tuna packed in olive oil, drained, ¼ cup mayonnaise, 2 Tbsp. chopped celery, and 1 Tbsp. chopped pickles in a medium bowl until just combined. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground pepper.
• Heat a dry large cast-iron skillet over medium-low. Spread mayonnaise over 1 side of 2 slices sourdough bread. Place bread, mayo side down, in skillet; top 1 bread slice with 2 slices sharp cheddar. Cover with a lid and cook until bread is golden brown underneath and cheese is melted, about 4 minutes. (The cheese should form a crispy skirt around the bread.)
• Uncover skillet and top bread with melted cheddar with one fourth of tuna salad, then some drained reserved pickled onion. Close up sandwich and gently press down on sandwich with a spatula. Transfer to a cutting board and slice in half on a diagonal. Repeat cooking process 3 more times with more mayonnaise and remaining tuna salad, pickled onion, 6 slices sourdough bread, and 6 slices sharp cheddar to make 3 more sandwiches.
• Serve sandwiches on plates with dill pickle spears if desired.