Tuna is one of those foods that trampers couldn’t live without; it’s reasonably cheap, not too heavy, lasts for ever, and is virtually indestructible – as a consequence it’s become somewhat of a staple in the outdoors.

Whether you’re hiking the Milford Track or kayaking McMurdo Sound, odds are it’ll be on the menu at some point in the trip so it’s always good to know a few dishes to make with it. Here’s one that’s a little out of left field (actually it’s out of Thailand) that’ll ‘keep your burners stoked’ for another day on the trail and depending on how much chilli you add… it may light them too.

Profile

Serves: 4
Weight: 1250g
Volume: 1000ml
Calories: 1850
Cost: $12.20
Cooking time: 15min (not including the rice)
Fuel: 242ml white spirit, or 88g camping gas*

*Based on an MSR Whisperlite burning white spirit at sea level.

Special utensils
A decent sized mixing bowl and a fry pan (non-stick if possible)

Ingredients

• 500g tuna
• 100g potato flakes, rehydrated.
• 1 spring onion, sliced
• 1 thumb-size piece of ginger, grated
• 3 cloves garlic, chopped finely
• 1 red chilli, chopped finely
• 3 Tbsp coconut milk (from powder)
• 2 Tbsp fish sauce
• 1 lime (rinded and sliced into wedges)
• 1/2 Tbsp. chilli powder
• 1/3 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/4 tsp. ground coriander
• 1/2 tsp. brown sugar
• 100ml Grapeseed oil (or other high-temp oil)
• 200g Basmati Rice
• 100ml Sweet chilli sauce

If they’re available, add an egg and use fresh fish for the gourmet version.

Method

Combine the coconut milk, fish sauce, chilli powder, cumin, coriander and sugar in the mixing bowl and then add the garlic, ginger, chilli, lime rind and finally the tuna, spring onion and potato flakes (add water or more potato flakes if necessary to achieve a thick paste consistency). Take small handfuls and mould into thick patties about 5cm in diameter. Then set aside to firm up while you put the rice on. Heat the oil then add in the patties. They should sizzle vigorously if the oil is hot enough. Cook them for about a minute each side. Serve on a bed of rice, garnished with the fresh coriander, mint and cucumber and a little sweet chilli sauce on the side.