Paleo and Keto Friendly Tuna Cakes

Have You Heard of the Keto diet?

It's all the rage lately! The (very) basic premise is a high fat low carb diet that cuts out all grains. But unlike the Atkins diet it focuses on quality fats and whole food nutrition. (#YESVEGGIES!) I just completed a program called "Shift Shop," that has a similar meal plan to keto, and you guys - It friggin works! Im going to do a big post about my experience soon so stay tuned in the next month for my meal plan and all the details. If you want to be the first to have it when its released sign up for Beachbody on Demand here. (Basically Netflix for Fitness - holler!) 

Anyway! I created this recipe using almond flour instead of the typical bread crumbs that are called for in tuna cake recipes and it did not disappoint!

I also added some variations at the bottom of the recipe. I got some great feedback from last weeks post that you guys liked have the ideas/options on how to jazz the recipe up. Here we go! 

Paleo and Keto Friendly Tuna Cakes

 
Paleo and Keto Friendly Tuna Cakes
 

INGREDIENTS:

For the cakes

  • 1 can packed tuna, drained
  • 1/8 cup mayo (choose olive oil or avocado oil mayo-these are keto friendly). My favorite is a brand called Chosen Foods Avocado Oil Mayo
  • 1/4 cup diced onion
  • 1/4 cup diced celery
  • 1/8 cup chopped sweet and spicy pickles (I like Dave's brand)
  • Salt, pepper, garlic powder to taste
  • 2 tsp olive oil
  • 1 cup blanched almond flour
  • 1 whole egg

For the sauce

  • 1/4 cup greek yogurt-full fat!! (If dairy is not your friend you can use an unsweetened yogurt alternative or more mayo) (One more note-yogurt is not paleo friendly so take this out if you are paleo)
  • 1/4 cup mayo 
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 TBSP fresh or dried dill, minced
  • 1/2 of a lemon, juiced

Other:

  • Coconut oil for frying
  • Lettuce, tomato and cucumber for the salad (if you choose to eat them on a salad)

TO ASSEMBLE:

  1. Place all the tuna cake ingredients into a bowl and mix well
  2. Form into patties
  3. Heat a heaping 2 TBSP coconut oil in a non stick skillet over medium high heat (You want a higher temperature so they get a nice crispy crust! and unlike olive oil, coconut oil can handle the high temperature)
  4. Place all tuna cakes onto skillet and let them cook 3-5 minutes on each side so they get a nice golden crust
  5. While patties are in the skillet, mix up your mayo/yogurt topping by placing all sauce ingredients into a bowl and stirring
  6. Assemble lettuce, tomato and cucumber on your plate, remove patties from pan and place on top
  7. Top with the yogurt cream sauce and a little extra olive oil so the lettuce is not dry!

#NOM

But wait! There's more! 

Try these simple variations:

  • Substitute canned salmon or honey smoked salmon for tuna. Add some shredded cooked sweet potato and red peppers
  • Substitute canned salmon or honey smoked salmon for tuna. Add in cooked and dry quinoa, fresh parsley and basil (The quinoa makes this recipe non keto) 
  • Cajun crab cakes--substitute lump crab meat for tuna and add cajun seasoning, bell pepper, hot sauce and lemon pepper
  • Throw an egg on top of any of these for a keto friendly, low carb Benedict! 

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