Saturday, August 6, 2011

Mediterranean Tuna Salad

     Another recipe from the BBQ. This recipe was given to me by a co worker and uses my fresh tarragon. I mentioned to her that I had tons of the stuff that I didn't know what to do with it, she remedied that.

     Tarragon is one of the French "fine" herbs. It tastes a bit like a combination of fennel and basil. It is the main seasoning in Bearnaise sauce and also used in Dijon sauce.

     This is a similar recipe to my favourite summer salad, the Niciose. Like Salad Niciose, you could probably substitute fresh grilled tuna for the canned with delicious results. I haven't..... yet.

Mediterranean Tuna Salad
Ingredients
1 can solid white tuna, drained
1 can white beans, drained and rinsed
1 grilled red pepper, canned or fresh, chopped
1 cup chopped pitted olives*
1 cup red onion finely chopped
Salad greens - endive, arugula, frisee or radicchio
Tarragon Mayonnaise Dressing
¼ cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons sour cream
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
2 tablespoons lemon juice
3 tablespoons fresh tarragon or 2 teaspoons dried
2 anchovy fillets, finely chopped or about an inch of anchovy paste**
Directions
Combine tuna, beans, red pepper, olives and onion and mix together.
Whisk or pulse in a food processor, all of the dressing ingredients until well mixed.
Pour about half the dressing into the tuna mixture and re-toss until combined
Place tuna mixture on a plate/platter lined with salad greens.
Serve remaining dressing on the side.
* I use Kalamata olives and just warn my guests that there are pits. I never use canned olives, only brined.

** I like the taste but not the texture of anchovies so always use the paste. It keeps longer and is easier to use.

     This was a delicious and interesting addition to my usual summer salad repertoire and one I will make again and again. Enjoy.

2 comments:

  1. ...it's delicious !!... tasted it ;)))...but, to me it seems more like mexican tuna salad ;))...

    ...I'm from mediterranean, from croatia...I make tuna salad a little bit different...

    ingredients : tuna, black olives (from Brač, Croatia ;)) ), feta cheese ( or greek cheese from sheep's milk), mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, onions, garlick, peppers, rocket salad ( roquette, rucola or arugula )
    ..dressing : olive oil, aceto balsamico (balsamic vinegar), pepper, salt...

    ...optional ingredients: eggs, pasta with mayonnaise...

    ...bon appetite... :)

    ...sorry for my english...

    ...best regards... :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks anngeleyes, your version sounds delicious too, all thigs I love to eat. Can't wait to try it.
    BTW, your English is just fine by me.

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for your comment, I hope you enjoyed your time in the "Kitchen".