One mother's quest to reinvent the wheel... with TUNA!

There was a short season of my childhood where if you had told me that I would never have to eat tuna fish again... I would have kissed your feet in unabashed, worshipful appreciation. I hated the stuff for a while there. But, fortunately for you, me and my gifted young progeny my situation with tuna fish has evolved over the years.

 Finally, after much travels and travails I have arrived on the shores of the promised land. I am honored to share with you the often transcendent joy of Tuna Wheels.


Tuna Wheels
serves 5

Ingredients:

For Dough:
1 cup hot tap water
2 tsp active dry yeast
2 tsp honey
2 Tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 tsp flax seed meal
1 tsp onion powder
2 tsp dill (dry)
2 1/2 cups of freshly milled organic whole wheat flour
  
For Filling:
4 cans of tuna
1/4 cup dollop of mayo
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/2 tsp celery seeds
 the juice from one lemon
salt and pepper to taste

Topping:
4 oz shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese

Method:
In a large mixing bowl whisk the hot water, yeast and honey. Cover this with a clean kitchen towel and set this aside to activate for ten minutes. While you are waiting is the perfect time to mix your filling. In a medium mixing bowl add your drained tuna, mayo, spices and lemon juice. Mix well with a fork. Return to your yeast mixture and add the rest of the ingredients in order given, whisking before and after each cup or so of flour. This helps to activate the gluten and improves the consistency of the finished product. Then you will roll out the dough on a well floured surface into an approximate 18x20 rectangle. Spread the filling evenly over the dough. Roll this up like a jelly roll. Using the 'ninja thread' method* cut your wheels in about 1" thickness and lay them on a greased and cornmeal powdered baking sheet. Once they are rolled, cut and laid out there is only one step left! Top each one with a pinch of the grated extra sharp cheddar cheese. Pop those babies in the oven and bake them for about 15 minutes or so at 400 degrees. Sit back, relax and prepare yourself to be loved and adored by your family and friends.

Juda made a 'tuna wheel birthday cupcake' by embedding a carrot stick into the middle of his wheel. Priceless.

*Ninja thread method = slide a long, thin string (unflavored dental floss would work well... I use embroidery thread) under one side of the roll as far as the desired width of the wheel. Make an 'x' shape with the thread over the roll... and then quickly pull the 'x' closed flat across the surface. This will cut a perfect wheel without smushing the roll or the wheel.