Fancy Tuna Melts

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1/2 cup sherry wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• salt and pepper
• 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 baguette, halved lengthwise then crosswise, toasted
• 1 garlic clove, halved
• 4 (6 ounce) tuna steaks
• 3 sprigs fresh thyme, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil (evoo)
• dijon mustard
• 1/2 cup cornichon, halved lengthwise
• 1/2 lb thinly sliced fontina, swiss or 1/2 lb gruyere cheese

Recipe

• 1 in a saucepan, combine the vinegar, sugar and bay leaf; season with pepper and bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring until the sugar is dissolved. pour the mixture over the onion, cover and let stand for 20 minutes. drain.
• 2 rub the toasted bread with the garlic. season the tuna with salt, pepper and the thyme. in a skillet, heat the evoo, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat.
• 3 add the tuna and cook until just about opaque, about 5 minutes. flake the tuna into chunky pieces.
• 4 preheat the broiler. spread a light layer of mustard on each baguette slice, then top with tuna, onions, cornichons and cheese. place on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is melted.