garlic bread

Honestly, I don't like whole wheat bread. I prefer white bread. But I must get use to eat whole wheat bread for health concern. So I packed them on my lunchbox, with peanut butter and jam or butter and chocolate sprinkles, or any spread.. I could never finish one.

One day my mum told me to make a garlic bread instead. Here goes the trick. Spread the bread with margarine (or butter if you like), sprinkle with ground pepper and garlic powder. Then put it in the oven for 5-10 minutes, medium heat, and ready to eat.

The salty umami seasoning from garlic and pepper has infused into the bread, make it easier to taste. If you like a whole meal to pack into the lunchbox, add some tuna spread and coleslaw. That would be perfect company. And I guess this time I could finish my lunch.

simple tuna spread

Few days ago, I had a small talk about lunchbox / bento with my friend Rita on facebook. It ends up with an interest in tuna spread a.k.a rillettes de thon. I used to make this simple spread - or some say, tuna salad - using canned tuna chunks, mayonnaise and a bit of mustard. However, the french recipes use crème fraiche or even fromage frais instead of mayo. I think this shouldn't be a big deal. In the end, you'll be the one who eat it, so the taste has to be right for you.

Here I share you my simple recipe, and feel free to modify it.

- a can of tuna chunks (in water or in vegetable oil - whatever), drain it from the liquid

- 2 or 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise

- 1 or 2 tablespoon of mustard

- a dash (or a teaspoon) of ground pepper

(1st method) Place all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix them using fork. Make sure everything has mixed together and it's all set.

(2nd method) Alternatively, you can put all the ingredients in a blender or food processor. Run the machine for few seconds and they're ready.

The first method is more suitable if you want to have it with a bowl of salad.. there you have salade niçoise. The second method is for a smoother result which is easier to spread into a bread for sandwich or as a dipping sauce (with crackers, carrot or celery sticks) on apero.

Have it a try and tell me about your creation ;)