D is for Dilly Tuna Cups

This was the most challenging letter so far!  Other than duck and dill pickles I couldn't really think of anything that began with the letter "D".  But that's okay, because these are good.  Really good, actually!

Inspired by the increasing trend in Bento-style lunches, these treats are easily made with nothing more than a few ingredients you're sure to have on hand in your pantry and fridge.  What I really like about these is not only are they great for the lunch-box, both the school and work version, they're also wonderful as a quick hors d'oeuvres for that dinner party you may just try to put together sometime soon. Also, if you have a fussy child, who prefers the cucumber skins to the insides of the cucumber (I promise you there are children like this...I know from personal experience), then these little cups will be very well received.

I used tuna packed in oil for this recipe and I must say, I'm quite fond of the taste.  Canned tuna has never really been my thing, my boys do love it and this recipe is certainly no exception.  Little ones can easily assist with this but they will need your hands as well.  Once the can has been opened and the tuna drained and removed (your job, Moms) you can let the kitchen helpers add the seasonings, lemon, mayo and chop the dill.  Let them get creative.  They may like to add something to the tuna mixture that you, or I, wouldn't have thought of.

What "D" foods are you packing in your lunch-box this year?  Let me know and I'll enter your name in the giveaway for a fun food prize pack.  Have a great day, friends....

Dilly Tuna Cups

yields 12 pieces

2 cans of tuna packed in oil, drained

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1 tsp dried dill

2 tbsp mayo

juice of 1 lemon

1 dill pickled, minced

1 English cucumber, sliced into 1 inch pieces

~ Using a melon baller or small spoon remove the insides of the cucumber cups.  Set aside.

~ In a large mixing bowl combine the tuna, salt, pepper, dill, mayo, lemon and pickles and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

~ Using a small ice cream scoop, or spoon, stuff the cucumber cups with the tuna mixture.  Serve cold.

~ Enjoy!

Comments

[Stoich91]

Ohh, goodie! A free food pack? For real? :-) Here's an idea: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=50508. Delicious Dinner Chinese Dumplings! Yeah, ok, so they're wontons, but just fold the dough into triangles, and hey presto: Chinese Dumplings! LOL I've made this gazillions of times (well, maybe not gazillions :-)) and it's absolutely delicious and tastes much more dreamy and delicate than your typical Chinese Take Out Dumpling soup. Yeah, folding the dumplings is tedious, but enlist a little helper, and you'll be on your way to a dumpling soup that Chinaland can only about. Another cute "D" recipe, perfect for the Autumn lunchbox? Doughnut Acorns! Absolutely adorable! http://jas.familyfun.go.com/recipefinder/display?id=41005

[Liz]

I am SO making this! What a great idea!

[Jan Scott]

I hope you like...they're really yummy!

[Ginger & Pickle]

dates squares?? wow! D is a hard one! LOL Awesome idea with the cucumber cups! Will do this for sure!

[Jan Scott]

Dumplings! Great idea...I love this one. My husband actually thought of
donuts as well but I just wasn't sure that I had enough time to make them
this week. Perhaps later in the fall I'll make some apple
fritters...yummy....

[Stoich91]

LOL :-) Fabulous. Thanks! The dumplings really beat the Chinese restaurant’s fare hands down and are absolutely lovely. Please do feature doughnuts sometime, if you ever get the chance! :-) I've never thought I could make my own doughnuts in my own kitchen, but I've dreamed, of course! :-)