The Holidays are now behind us, and while I am thankful for another year, I have learned that despite the requisite holiday cheer, if one looks very closely, and pays the utmost attention, the holidays are the best time to learn what people ‘really’ think.
Over the course of this past holiday season, I had the good fortune of receiving an elliptical for, of all holidays, Thanksgiving – aka my birthday. As I found myself assembling the exercise machinery shortly before Christmas, I thought, admittedly reluctantly…there is perhaps a message being sent here – just perhaps. After my first, arduous use of the machine, I began to realize I was starting to resemble Frosty the beloved Snowman, and not his good cheer or charitable spirit…but in all the wrong ways, and that perhaps this bit of machinery was meant as a remedy for the aforementioned resemblance.
“This is a New Year, make it a New You,” I resolved, while battling far too much fatigue for far too little elliptical use.
Yes, in my decade long quest for literary excellence, I had been neglecting my physicality. As this realization set in, a terribly hard one to swallow – pun intended – I decided that it was perhaps time to work on myself, to take hold of the New Year not just intellectually and spiritually, but physically as well.
Once Christmas had passed, one of the first items we spotlighted was this easy-to-prepare tuna salad – sans mayonnaise – made with Bumble Bee Tuna (available in can or pouch), capers, lemon juice, and fresh parsley. It was here that I discovered that – at the risk of sound cliché – it is assuredly the smaller, less noticeable changes that, taken together, make for the most noticeable differences.
For example, not only is this tuna salad a gourmet upgrade from standard mayo-rich variety, it is also not merely ‘healthier‘ but in fact ‘healthy,’ combing the lean protein, healthy fat, vitamins and minerals of the tuna with the antioxidants from the added parsley and lemon. It was thus that in the course of preparing this recipe, I discovered that while tuna is not typically regarded as a terribly diverse food, it is in fact surprisingly versatile, as this recipe demonstrates.
Thus it was that I ushered in the New Year air-running uphill to a medley of Sean Paul and Pendulum, determined to see a ‘new me’ by the turn of the coming year, and this Bumble-Bee tuna salad will be on my go-to list for easy to prepare, healthy snacks.
Wishing you a Happy, Healthy, and Successful New Year!
-Healthy Tuna Salad w/ Fresh Flatbread-
This mayo-free tuna salad is light, refreshing and healthy. Served in a warm, homemade flat bread, this healthy tuna salad is a gratifying way to start a healthier New Year on a delicious note!
Healthy Tuna Salad with Fresh Flatbread
- Total Time: 22 minutes
Ingredients
For the Tuna Salad:
- 2 - (5 oz.) cans of Bumble Bee Tuna in water - drained
- 1/4 cup of Italian parsley - chopped
- 1 stalk of celery - chopped
- 2 slices of red onion - chopped
- 1/4 cup of black olives - chopped
- 1 tbs. capers - chopped
- 1/4 - 1/2 cup of grilled chick peas
For the Dressing:
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 3-4 tbs. olive oil
- 1/4 tsp. salt
- 1/4 tsp. black pepper
For the Garnish:
- Grape tomatoes
- Sliced lettuce
- Black olives - pitted
For the Flat Breads:
- 2 cups - all purpose flour
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 tsp. black pepper
- 1 cup warm water
- 3 tbs. olive oil
Instructions
For the Tuna Salad:
- Place the chick peas on a hot griddle and let them get a nice golden color; then set aside.
- Place the tuna in a bowl and separate with a fork. Add the chopped ingredients and toss.
For the Dressing:
- Combine the ingredients for the dressing and add to the tuna and mix. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For the Flat Breads:
- In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, pepper and baking powder.
- Combine the warm water with the olive oil and slowly add to the dry ingredients while stirring; bring together.
- On a floured surface knead and form into a ball; then cut into six or eight pieces. Form the pieces into a ball.
- On a floured surface; roll out the balls into thin discs.
- Heat a griddle and place the discs on the hot griddle. When bubbles form turn over and finish cooking.
- Serve the tuna salad over warm flat breads and garnish.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Main
Cheers!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
1
Comedy Plus says
Oh yummy. Hubby and I have something like this often. A nice light meal. I'm going to try this one.
Thank you both. Hugs to Catherine. ♥♥♥
★★★★★
Angie@Angie's Recipes says
The fresh homemade flatbread makes the difference! A great meal, Catherine.
Silvia Brisi says
Deicious Catherine!! I love flat bread with your salad!!
Best wishes for the new year!!!
Ginny Hartzler says
It looks lovely! Like a fancy tuna salad at a high scale restaurant. Oh my to the exercise equipment, who would give you such a thing as a gift? Not a happy gift for sure.
Jerry E. Beuterbaugh says
From what I can remember of eating Bumblebee Tuna way back when, I don't like it nearly as much as Chicken of the Sea and Starkist, but since Arlynda bought six cans of it after laughing her rear-end off while watching an episode of Duck Dynasty, I suppose I will be giving it another try or two. Sigh.
Dottie Sauchelli Balin says
Dear Catherine and Michael...
You are brave and jumping right into the healthy way of 2015. Good for you...This recipe is a light and delicious looking meal. I enjoy tuna fish and all the delicious ingredients that you mix in together are very inviting. I even like that flatbread with the tuna salad on top of it. Your photos are always so mouthwatering. Maybe Tammy was in on this one....I wish you all good luck and strength in your journey to be more healthy. Have a blessed week ahead...
Dottie 🙂
Beth says
Ha! I had the same feeling yesterday when I went to my first post-holiday Pilates class. Your tuna salad looks great.
tanna says
Oh, how I can relate, Michael. Onward to a better us in 2015! 😉 Catherine, this ELEVATES tuna from a can. Thank you. blessings ~ tanna
Roz @ La Bella Vita Cucina says
I totally agree with your thoughts on how one can forget about physical needs over mental pursuits. I commend you on your new goals for the year and am right on board with you! Let's both make it a wonderful, healthier year!
Blessings,
Roz
Amelia says
Hi my dear Catherine, Happy New Year to you and family. Wishing you all the best in 2015 with lots of love and happiness.
Your tuna salad and flat bread look so inviting. This healthy meal is awesome. My favorite too, thanks for sharing your version.
Have a lovely day ahead,hugs to you.
Amelia
Big Daddy Dave says
Michael and Catherine, We use a large can of tuna about once a month and we always have a can on hand. I've never tried making tuna salad without mayonnaise (preferably spicy Mayo) but it sounds and looks pretty good! Worth a try but I'll leave the olives off mine...my wife will eat my share. Take Care, Big Daddy Dave
Pam says
Your tuna and flat bread sounds great. I forgot I had several large cans of the same kind in the pantry, and bought 3 more large cans yesterday. No matter, it's bitter cold, snowy and windy here and keeps me from running to the store. So, I have to try your recipe. And besides, my kitty, Minnie, loves her albacore tuna! Happy New Year, Catherine! Here's wishing you and your loved ones the best. Hugs!
Alyssa @ Piece of Home says
This looks like a GREAT light lunch idea! I need to try this soon since I have some tuna waiting for me! Thanks for sharing!
Katherines Corner says
Yummmmm. Thank you for sharing at the Thursday Favorite Things blog hop. xo
★★★★★
Miz Helen says
I love Tuna Salad and this looks awesome! Thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday and have a great weekend.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
Laura@Baking in Pyjamas says
I often eat salad for dinner finding different things to incorporated with it. This tuna salad sounds lovely, I love the side of homemade flatbread. Thanks for linking up to Sweet and Savoury Sunday, stop by and link up again. Have a great day!!