How do you make your tuna?

[hka]

Hi All, I made a tuna fish sandwich for lunch today and it occured to me that you all might have some great ideas/additions for tuna. I just made it with mayo because I do enjoy it that way. However, I'd love to hear some other ideas that you all have for when you make your tuna. Please share... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[SandyM]

hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhi there,

I basically have more onion than tuna!!! That's only a slight exaggeration. I love love love onion mixed with my tuna. Stir in just enough fat-free Miracle Whip (sorry, you mayonnaise purists - I cannot handle real mayo) to bind it together, and I'm good to go.

I found the new Star-Kist "bag-o-tuna" in the grocery store and decided to buy it. I can never drain the canned stuff dry enough to suit my tastes. I'm hoping I like this!!

[emilycat]

hka,

This is a great thread... it's amazing all the different things we do to our tuna salad!
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/005073.html

[This message has been edited by emilycat (edited 03-27-2001).]

[hka]

Thanks SandyM and Emilycat. I'm going to check out that thread! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[memartha]

I sometimes make Curried Tuna if I'm sick of "ordinary" tuna... To one drained can of tuna, I add a bit of curry powder, a spoonful of Major Grey's Mango chutney, a handful of raisins, a handful of sliced almonds and a dab of mayo.

[valchemist]

SandyM

Let us know about the "Bag of Tuna." I have never heard of it. Where in the store do you find it? Is it a new product?

The main reason I don't fix tuna that often is that I don't like draining it...makes a mess and gets my hands smelly.

But my DH loves tuna and if the Bag of Tuna solves any of these problems, I will try it.

Val

[Leanne]

Judging by the other thread, I am the only person alive who doesn't add onions - YICK!!

Normally, I just add mayo & relish. If I'm doing it "right" I'll also add hard-boiled egg & celery.

[Emdg]

I have a small can strainer. It fits over the top a can...works perfectly for tuna. It was one of those weird things you see somewhere for a dollar.

I load my tuna up with all types of veggies: green onions, carrots, tomatoes, celery, add a little cut up cheese, mayo, and dijon mustard, and the secret ingredient pickle relish....slap it on some bread...yummy

[shoyski]

SandyM, I cracked up laughing. At first I wondered what the??? and then after the onion sentence I caught on.

I put in Miracle Whip as well and also add chopped egg white. Leanne, even though I love onions, I do not mix them with my tuna salad.

[KellyD]

The bag tuna is awesome! It's in the same section with the canned tuna - and it really is ready to be used right out of the pouch. And I like DRY tuna so if it worked for me, it's well drained!

[SandyM]

Thanks for the positive review of the bagged tuna, Kelly. My DH doesn't eat (and therefore doesn't enjoy the smell of) tuna, so I have to strategically plan my preparation.

It's chunk white tuna, and there's no oil involved. That's all I needed to read to convince me to try it.

DH has school tonight........hmmmmmmm..... http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[LindaW]

I really don't like mayo, so I mix low fat cottage cheese into my tuna. If I'm in a hurry, I just add some dill and a sprinkle of caroway seeds. If I have more time, I like to add minced celery and either some diced pickle or cherry peppers. Yum!!!

[LindaW]

OK, I just have to ask this.....I love tuna BUT I am always afraid of bringing tuna sandwiches to work because of their ....ummmm....aroma. Does anyone else worry about that??? Am I over analyzing???

[Wendy w]

A little chopped onion, celery, some chopped granny smith apple, dill, pepper, and a minimum of mayonnaise.

[hka]

LindaW, I actually had tuna again today and I didn't notice nor did anyone say anything about the smell. I think it's when you microwave fish that it can get stinky. By the way, I love the idea of the cottage cheese and dill. I'm going to try that one. I actually took some of the other ideas I read and put in some chopped onion and sprinkled some garlic salt in it. It was yummy!!

[emilycat]

I can definitely always smell tuna, but I never think, "ewwww." I'm sure everyone would just be envious of your lunch! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[Lynn B]

I love tuna w/ mayo (light, of course! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif ), sliced green onions, shredded cheddar and ground red pepper/cayenne to taste. Mmmmmmmm! Makes great tuna melts, too!
Lynn

[Kelli Kerrigan]

I just got the new issue of Cooks Ill. They have a whole article (including recipes) for tuna salad. I glanced at it last night and the recipes seem very good.....I'll post later if you want.

[memartha]

I'll never forget the time I took a tuna sandwich to the movies... thinking it would be a nice, quiet thing to eat... the aroma even bothered me! (But I ate it anyway).

[BT]

I use all white tuna, mircle whip, onions, celery and a little cider vinegar. Everyone wrinkles up their nose. . . until they taste it.

[hka]

Well, I want to thank you all for your responses. I've gotten some great ideas from you which I plan to put into practice! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif

[marshalynne]

sandym....I too make my sandwiches with TONS of onion, some tuna and a bit of light Miracle Whip (just couldn't stand the fat free!). I put it on two slices of Wonder Light Italian Bread that I toast. Whala....DELICIOUS!!! By the way I now use only Albacore. I used to use just regular tuna and my mother gave me a package of the new stuff in the pouch albacore. WOW! Big taste difference. Now albacore is all we buy.

[Lynn B]

Kelli,
I, for one, would LOVE to know what Cook's Illustrated offered as tuna salad recipes! Please share!
Thanks!
Lynn

[Kelli Kerrigan]

Lynn,
I'll give alittle run down of what they had to suggest and if you (or anyone) wants certain recipes, I'll post them.
The first tip in Cook's Illustrated is to use white tuna and drain it well. This is done by putting it into a colander and breaking the big chunks up with your fingers. This is to elimate 'soggy' tuna salads. Secondly, you should preseason your tuna before adding the binding ingredients. It makes it more 'lively.'
Here are some of the recipe choices:
classic, tuna salad w/ balsamic vinegar and grapes, curried tuna salad w/ apples and currants, tuna salad w/lime a horseradish, and tuna salad w/ cauliflower, jalapeno, and cilantro.
Yum!

[bossy]

Regardless of how you do the tuna - just with mayo or with onions and other veges for a tuna salad - try putting on a few green olives (just the standard cheap ones stuffed with pimento) - tuna and olives actually go together really great!

[makedah]

thanks for the tip Kelli. I'll be picking up that issue tomorrow. I used to like tuna sandwiches, but now the thought of canned tuna and mayo makes me a bit ill. This is how I ate mine, with finely minced onion and celery, and of course, mayo . I had great coupons for the bagged stuff, but I tossed them because I couldn't see myself making any more sandwiches.

Tips for making it less watery and good mayo-free spreads would be great.

[Katie-pie]

Adding chopped apples is divine...it adds a wonderfully tart crunch alongside your typical celery and onion.

Wrap this salad in a tortilla with creamy avocado and peppery watercress. Oh boy baby, is this yummy!

[lorilei]

MAKE tuna?

Wow! How very Martha Stewart. I just buy my tuna in one of those little round cans from the grocery store.

You guys astound me...

[makedah]

I bought that issue of Cooks Illustrated and I will be a subscriber soon! It's a great magazine. They also had another good tip -- season your tuna before adding mayo. this makes it more flavorful.