Atún encebollado
Cuisine: Spanish Type: Entree

Representative image. Recipe yield may differ
Amounts
Ingredient
Amount (g)
Atún Encebollado
2 cans (400)
Onions
2 large (250)
Garlic
2 cloves (10)
Tomatoes
3 medium (450)
Red Bell Pepper
1 large (150)
White Wine
1 cup (240)
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons (28)
Paprika
1 teaspoon (5)
Bay Leaves
2 leaves (1)
Salt
1 teaspoon (5)
Black Pepper
0.5 teaspoon (2.5)
Parsley
2 tablespoons (10)
Totals
55 oz
(1,552 g)
Calories
Ingredient
Calories (kcal)
Tuna
200
Onions
40
Tomatoes
25
Garlic
10
Olive Oil
120
White Wine Vinegar
10
Paprika
5
Salt
0
Black Pepper
0
Bay Leaf
5
Totals
415 kcal
Steps
1. Heat a large pan or pot over medium heat and add a generous amount of olive oil.
2. Once the oil is hot, add thinly sliced onions and sauté until they become translucent and slightly caramelized.
3. Push the onions to one side of the pan and add fresh tuna steaks to the other side. Sear the tuna on each side for about 1-2 minutes, or until it develops a golden crust.
4. Remove the tuna from the pan and set aside.
5. In the same pan, add a splash of white wine and let it simmer for a minute to deglaze the pan and enhance the flavors.
6. Add a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste to the pan and stir well to combine with the onions and wine.
7. Pour in enough fish or vegetable broth to cover the onions and tomato paste mixture. Stir to incorporate everything together.
8. Season the broth with salt, black pepper, a pinch of cumin, and a pinch of paprika. You can also add a bay leaf for extra flavor.
9. Bring the broth to a simmer and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
10. Once the broth has simmered, carefully place the seared tuna steaks back into the pan, making sure they are submerged in the broth.
11. Cover the pan and let the tuna cook in the broth for about 5-7 minutes, or until it reaches your desired level of doneness. Be careful not to overcook the tuna, as it can become dry.
12. Remove the pan from the heat and let it sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to further develop.
13. Serve the atún encebollado hot, spooning some of the onion and broth mixture over each tuna steak.
14. You can garnish with fresh parsley or cilantro and serve with crusty bread or steamed rice on the side.
15. Enjoy your homemade atún encebollado, a delicious Spanish dish!
Substitutions
Substitutions/Alterations for Atún encebollado:
1. Atún (Tuna):
- Substitute: Salmon fillets, swordfish, or mahi-mahi fillets.
- Quantity: Same as the original recipe.
2. Cebolla (Onion):
- Substitute: Shallots or red onions.
- Quantity: Same as the original recipe.
3. Ajos (Garlic):
- Substitute: Garlic powder or granulated garlic.
- Quantity: 1 teaspoon of powder or granulated garlic for every 2 cloves of fresh garlic.
4. Pimiento choricero (Choricero pepper):
- Substitute: Ancho chili powder or paprika.
- Quantity: 1 teaspoon of ancho chili powder or paprika for every 1 choricero pepper.
5. Tomate (Tomato):
- Substitute: Canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce.
- Quantity: 1 cup of canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce for every 2 tomatoes.
6. Pimiento verde (Green bell pepper):
- Substitute: Red or yellow bell pepper.
- Quantity: Same as the original recipe.
7. Aceite de oliva (Olive oil):
- Substitute: Vegetable oil or canola oil.
- Quantity: Same as the original recipe.
8. Vinagre de vino blanco (White wine vinegar):
- Substitute: Apple cider vinegar or rice vinegar.
- Quantity: Same as the original recipe.
9. Laurel (Bay leaf):
- Substitute: Dried thyme or oregano.
- Quantity: 1/2 teaspoon of dried thyme or oregano for every 2 bay leaves.
10. Sal (Salt):
- Substitute: Kosher salt or sea salt.
- Quantity: Same as the original recipe.
Note: Adjustments in cooking time may be required depending on the substitute ingredients used.
Pairings
- Crusty bread
- White rice
- Roasted potatoes
- Grilled vegetables
- Green salad
- Tomato and onion salad
- Garlic aioli
- Lemon wedges
- Spanish olives
- Cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
Upgrades
1. Improve presentation:
- Garnish with a sprinkle of microgreens or edible flowers for a pop of color.
- Serve the dish on a bed of vibrant sautéed vegetables or a decorative vegetable puree.
- Use a ring mold to create a neat and elegant presentation, stacking the tuna and onions in layers.
2. Improve texture/flavor profile:
- Add a touch of sweetness by caramelizing the onions before adding them to the dish.
- Enhance the umami flavors by incorporating a small amount of soy sauce or fish sauce.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices like thyme, rosemary, or smoked paprika to add depth to the dish.
3. Elevate with luxurious ingredients:
- Replace regular onions with caramelized shallots or leeks for a more refined flavor.
- Upgrade the tuna to a premium grade like bluefin or yellowfin for a buttery and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Incorporate a splash of white wine or sherry vinegar to add complexity and sophistication to the dish.
Diet Restrictions
- For individuals with gluten intolerance or celiac disease, replace regular soy sauce with gluten-free soy sauce or tamari.
- To reduce the sodium content, opt for low-sodium soy sauce or use a reduced-sodium broth instead.
- For those following a low-carb or keto diet, serve the Atún encebollado over cauliflower rice instead of regular rice.
- To make it suitable for vegetarians or vegans, substitute the tuna with plant-based alternatives like marinated tofu or tempeh.
- For individuals with lactose intolerance, avoid using dairy-based condiments like mayonnaise or yogurt in the recipe. Instead, use vegan or lactose-free alternatives.
- To make it heart-healthy, use olive oil instead of vegetable oil for cooking the onions and tuna.
- For individuals with diabetes or those watching their blood sugar levels, reduce or omit the sugar in the recipe or use a sugar substitute.
- If you have a preference for spicy food, add a small amount of chili flakes or hot sauce to enhance the flavor without adding extra calories or sodium.
- For those with a preference for a lighter version, use light coconut milk instead of regular coconut milk to reduce the fat content.
Healthy Choices
- Use fresh tuna instead of canned tuna to reduce sodium content.
- Opt for olive oil instead of vegetable oil for a healthier fat source.
- Reduce the amount of oil used for sautéing the onions.
- Increase the proportion of onions and garlic to add more flavor and nutrients.
- Add a variety of colorful vegetables, such as bell peppers or tomatoes, for added vitamins and minerals.
- Use low-sodium soy sauce or tamari instead of regular soy sauce to reduce sodium intake.
- Replace white rice with brown rice or quinoa for a higher fiber and nutrient content.
- Serve with a side of steamed vegetables or a salad to increase the overall nutritional value.
- Garnish with fresh herbs like parsley or cilantro instead of fried onions for added freshness and nutrients.
Shortcuts
1. Use canned tuna: Instead of using fresh tuna, opt for canned tuna in water or oil. It saves time and money without compromising on taste.
2. Pre-cut onions: Buy pre-cut onions or use frozen diced onions to save time on chopping and preparing the onions.
3. Skip marinating: Instead of marinating the tuna, sauté it directly with the onions and spices to save time without sacrificing flavor.
4. Use frozen garlic: Use frozen minced garlic instead of fresh garlic cloves. It saves time and effort while still adding the desired flavor.
5. Opt for ready-made tomato sauce: Instead of making the sauce from scratch, use a high-quality ready-made tomato sauce to save time and reduce cost.
6. Cook in a pressure cooker: Use a pressure cooker to speed up the cooking process. It reduces cooking time significantly while maintaining the dish's taste and tenderness.
7. Serve with crusty bread: Instead of making homemade bread, serve Atún encebollado with store-bought crusty bread, saving time and effort in the kitchen.
8. Use frozen herbs: Instead of using fresh herbs, use frozen herbs or dried herbs to save money and time while still adding flavor to the dish.
9. Bulk purchase ingredients: Buy ingredients in bulk to save money in the long run. This is particularly helpful for pantry staples like onions, garlic, and canned tuna.
10. Opt for frozen tuna steaks: If fresh tuna is too expensive or hard to find, consider using frozen tuna steaks. They are more affordable and readily available, without compromising on taste.