Looking for a delightful dish with a bit of fish? Check out this Tuna Salad, it’s more than just a flavorful wish!
Hail the one that has the power to create where there is only destruction. Hail the one that can bring peace and harmony where there is discord and the scattering of ideas. Hail the holy mayonnaise.
Created by the Spanish and made famous by the French the mayo we use today to make the impossible possible. Yes, as unbelievable as it sounds, nor the French created it but only they found it when in the middle of the 18th century they invaded the small Spanish island Menorca.
Probably their original plan was not to take the aioli sauce to fiddle with a bit and sell it as their own, but this is exactly what happened. The word mayonnaise itself is a typing error, comes from the word mahonnesa which it simply means Mahonesian that is a port on the island of Menorca taken by the French.
How fascinating that cooking is not just science -let us not jump into how emulsification connects two unmixable materials into one- but history too.
Like who would think that the humble Tuna Salad has a history and one that is rather surprisingly eventful.
When the humble Tuna Salad first arrived at the American shores, it took all sort of shapes and forms in the kitchens. Housewives used it as a way of use up leftover meat or vegetable cuttings that were otherwise useless.
As throwing out food a couple of years ago was generally unheard of, and rather frowned upon by the society so people did everything not to do it. Mixing pieces of leftover from lunch with some vegetables and mayonnaise quickly became a popular dinner choice for many households.
But nobody thought of mixing tuna into their mayonnaise because there was no such thing as canned tuna until sardines’ shortages hit Americans canning plants. Sardine executives were tasked to find a solution or find another job as that one to be soon busted so they came up with the solution of canning tuna with olive oil instead of sardines.
With a couple of cleverly positioned marketing campaigns, product positioning and giveaways, tuna found its ways to many Americans table. So many in fact that soon catching enough of them became a difficulty for the locally trained or rather untrained fishermen.
Japanese fishermen who were learnt on the nuances of tuna fishing were brought in and held in superstar status until Pearl Harbor happened. This inconvenience though never bothered the tuna coming to shores -except by severe overfishing- as many other jumped into the encamped Japanese fishermen’s place.
Using canned tuna instead of chicken breast leftover quickly became a popular filling in salads and many other dishes in American households. Its true rise happened though when housewives first ventured to do some jobs outside of their homes.
The new workforce required new menus from the establishments trying to cater for them. As salads were rather cumbersome to shovel down on the go outlets tried to make it mobile, hence come stuffing salads between two slices of bread.
Tuna salad sandwich was born without much fanfare marking the humble revolution of women entering the workforce.
Since then tuna salad has shot into worldwide fame and made it as far as Japan getting into sushi where it settled itself among the traditional fillings comfortably healing scars and bond together not only flavors but nations one bite at a time.
Ingredients
- 1lb / 500g Tuna
- 6 tablespoons / 100g Mayonnaise
- Optional
- 1 medium / 150g Carrot (shredded) (not recommended on keto)
- 1 stalk / 50g Celery (diced)
- 2 medium / 100g Eggs (hard boiled diced)
- 2 medium / 200g Avocados (diced)
How to make Tuna Salad
- Open the tuna cans and filter the liquid out. While the tuna is drying prepare the rest of the ingredients. Make mayo if necessary, shred the carrot and dice the celery. Check out how to make mayonnaise!
- Place the tuna, mayo, carrot and celery and any additional ingredients into a bowl.
- Mix everything together until getting a uniform texture. Open canned fish shouldn’t be kept long in the fridge so prepared tuna salad should be used up as soon as possible. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and definitely not longer than 6 days.
Enjoy!
F.A.Q.
How is tuna salad typically made?
Tuna salad is typically made by combining canned tuna with mayonnaise, along with other optional ingredients such as celery, carrots, eggs, or avocados. The ingredients are mixed together until they reach a uniform texture.
Can I use fresh tuna instead of canned tuna in tuna salad?
Yes, fresh tuna can be used in tuna salad instead of canned tuna. Simply cook the fresh tuna, allow it to cool, and then flake it before mixing it with the other ingredients.
Are there any alternatives to mayonnaise in tuna salad?
Yes, there are alternatives to mayonnaise in tuna salad. Some people prefer to use Greek yogurt, mashed avocado, or a combination of the two as a healthier alternative. These substitutes provide a creamy texture and can add a different flavor profile to the salad.
How long can tuna salad be stored in the refrigerator?
Tuna salad should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and consumed within 3-5 days. It is important to note that the quality and taste may deteriorate the longer it is stored.
Can tuna salad be frozen?
While it is possible to freeze tuna salad, it is not recommended. The texture of the ingredients may change upon thawing, resulting in a less desirable consistency. It is best to consume tuna salad fresh or within a few days of preparation.
What are some variations of tuna salad?
There are many variations of tuna salad depending on personal preferences and regional variations. Some popular variations include adding diced pickles, onions, or olives for added flavor. Others may incorporate herbs and spices like dill, parsley, or paprika for a more enhanced taste.
Is tuna salad a healthy option?
Tuna salad can be a healthy option as it is a good source of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. However, the overall healthiness of the salad depends on the ingredients used and the portion size. Using light mayonnaise or healthier alternatives, and adding plenty of vegetables can enhance its nutritional value.
Can tuna salad be served on something other than bread?
Yes, tuna salad can be served on a variety of alternatives to bread. It can be enjoyed in a lettuce wrap, stuffed into a pita pocket, or served on top of a bed of salad greens. These options provide different textures and can accommodate dietary preferences or restrictions.
Is tuna salad suitable for those following a keto or low-carb diet?
Tuna salad can be adapted to fit a keto or low-carb diet by omitting or reducing ingredients high in carbohydrates, such as carrots or adding avocados and other low-carb vegetables. It is important to check the specific nutritional information and adjust the ingredients accordingly to meet dietary requirements.
What are some creative ways to use tuna salad?
Tuna salad can be used in various creative ways. It can be used as a filling for stuffed tomatoes, served as a dip with vegetable sticks, or used as a topping for crackers or crostini. Additionally, tuna salad can be incorporated into pasta salads, wraps, or as a filling for sushi rolls. The possibilities are endless!
Tuna Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Tuna
- 6 tablespoons Mayonnaise
Optional:
- 1 medium Carrot shredded (not recommended on keto)
- 1 stalk Celery diced
Instructions
- Open the tuna cans and filter the liquid out. While the tuna is drying prepare the rest of the ingredients. Make mayo if necessary, shred the carrot and dice the celery. If necessary check how to make mayonnaise in the Low Carb Condiments section.
- Place the tuna, mayo, carrot and celery into a bowl.
- Mix everything together until getting a uniform texture. Open canned fish shouldn't be kept long in the fridge so prepared tuna salad should be used up as soon as possible. Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge and definitely not longer than 6 days.
Notes
Nutrition
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