Tuna Potato Cakes with Greens

Ingredients

• 800g potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks
• 300g drained tinned tuna
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 80g gluten-free breadcrumbs
• 15g chives, finely chopped
• 45ml garlic-infused olive oil (for frying)
• 1 tsp smoked paprika (optional)
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 150g baby spinach
• 150g lactose-free natural yoghurt
• 1 lemon, zest and 1 tbsp juice
• Crusty bread, to serve
• Simple green salad, to serve
• Capers or sliced gherkins, to serve

Method

1. Boil the potatoes in well-salted water until a knife slides through with no resistance, 12–15 minutes. Drain thoroughly and let the steam rise off for a minute — wet mash means soggy cakes. Mash to a slightly chunky texture so they hold together but still feel light, then leave to cool for 5 minutes.
2. If using the smoked paprika, bloom it for 30 seconds in a dry pan over low heat until fragrant — raw paprika tastes dusty, bloomed paprika tastes of itself. Tip it straight into the cooled mash along with the tuna, chives, beaten egg, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Press a small amount between your fingers — it should hold cleanly. If it feels loose, add another tablespoon of breadcrumbs.
3. Shape into 8 equal cakes and chill on a plate for 10 minutes. This firming step is what stops them collapsing in the pan — skip it and you'll be scraping mash off the base.
4. Heat the garlic-infused oil in a heavy frying pan over medium heat. Fry the cakes in two batches — don't crowd the pan, or steam comes off them and the crust never sets. 3–4 minutes a side until deeply golden and crisp, pressing gently once for even contact. The inside should be steamy and flaky, not dry.
5. While the cakes cook, toss the spinach in a dry pan until just wilted, 30–45 seconds. Season with a pinch of salt and a small squeeze of lemon juice — the acid keeps the leaves bright green instead of dull.
6. Stir the yoghurt with the lemon zest and the tablespoon of lemon juice, with a pinch of salt. Taste it — it should be sharp and cool against the rich cakes. Adjust now, not at the table.
7. A simple green salad goes on the side.