Tuna Salad With personality
Tired of the same old tuna salad recipes?
Then let's put some personality in that sandwich!
Now that we're all getting down to the last notches on our food budget belt, we've got to show that American ingenuity. We need new ways to fix the old and inexpensive standbys, like chicken, hot dogs, more chicken and the time worn tuna salad recipes.
When the kids look at the lunch bag and say, 'Oh Mom! Not another tuna sandwich!', we know we've got to rise to the occasion with something new and different. With twenty tuna cans in the cupboard, it's time to disguise this nutritious, wallet-friendly sandwich as something with a value-added taste bonus.
Here we present some ideas on giving that old tuna salad recipe a makeover.
You begin with the usual tuna and mayo. First of all, never use tuna packed in oil! This only serves to impart an oily taste, no matter how well it's been drained. It's got to be packed in water, or that tuna salad recipe makeover is doomed to failure. If you've been serving tuna packed in oil, you've now already got a welcome partial face lift.
Many people hate tuna simply because of that 'fishy' taste. This may be eradicated with a teaspoon or two of lemon juice. The lemon juice brightens the taste, but you need more than this. A little lemon pepper is a good thing. Now what?
A can of sliced olives is not only an economical way to stretch the tuna, but it also serves to add a different texture and a complementary flavor to the regular boring tuna salad recipe.
You can build on this more interesting sandwich filling with a little bit of color. Finely sliced green onions, or a healthy sprinkling of fresh snipped parsley makes the tuna salad sandwich a bit more appealing. The kids are getting happier and more receptive already.
A couple of slices of sweet onions, finely diced, adds crunch and contrast. Finely sliced celery does a good job too. Remember, we're looking for not simply a disguise, but a genuinely tasty tuna salad recipe that has them begging for more. How about some alfalfa sprouts piled on top? They are crunchy and nutritious and green. A single slice of vine ripened tomato really puts some taste into the deal. Now that's a sandwich anyone can love!
A can of water chestnuts, diced finely, is another way to dress up that tuna salad recipe. Here again, a little color goes a long way. Fresh snips of parsley make this creation a fine sandwich indeed. How about some diced red sweet bell peppers? Yes!
A couple of teaspoons of fire roasted red bell pepper salad dressing can really bring that tuna salad to life. Think pizazz! Speaking of which, sliced jalapenos will definitely please the spicy-hot lovers.
For a variation to the diced sweet onion and tuna mix, try sandwiching the tuna between paper thin slices of sweet onions or sliced jalapenos. Now you've got some fire going!
All of these tuna salad recipes can be further enhanced by the bread. Kids love pita bread pockets. Stuff that salad into a soft French bread style hoagie. Kaiser rolls glorify this humble sandwich.
So, now it's time to use up your tuna can inventory and start watching the sales for more of this economical and versatile product. You needn't advertise the benefits of the omega-3 fatty acids. Your family members will be sold on the taste!
Enjoy, Don Trosper
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