Mayo-Free Mediterranean Tuna Salad Sandwiches Recipe

[Photograph: Vicky Wasik]

This mayo-free tuna salad is loaded with Mediterranean flavors, including plenty of fresh olive oil, capers, olives, fennel, celery, and a splash of lemon.

Why It Works

• Briefly soaking the red onion in red wine vinegar tames its pungency and gives it a pop of tartness.
• Flaking high-quality oil-packed tuna makes a luxurious salad.
• A splash of fish sauce or minced anchovy adds a subtle savory hit.

Ingredients

• 1/2 medium red onion (about 4 ounces; 110g), thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup (60ml) red wine vinegar
• 20 ounces (560g) oil-packed tuna, preferably ventresca (see note), drained and flaked by hand into roughly 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 stalk celery (about 3 ounces; 85g), sliced thinly on the bias
• 1/4 medium bulb fennel (about 1 ounce), cored and thinly sliced
• Handful flat-leaf parsley leaves, roughly chopped
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) drained brined capers
• 1/4 cup (60ml) drained pitted briny black or green olives, quartered lengthwise
• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (90ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) fresh juice from 1 lemon
• 1/2 teaspoon (3ml) Asian fish sauce or very finely minced oil-packed anchovy fillets (about 2 small fillets)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 8 slices rustic sandwich bread, such as a Pullman loaf, brushed with olive oil and toasted
• Arugula, for garnish

Directions

1. 1.

   In a small bowl, combine onion and vinegar (vinegar should just cover onion; add more if it does not) and let stand 15 minutes.

2. 2.

   Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine tuna with celery, fennel, parsley, capers, olives, olive oil, lemon juice, and fish sauce or anchovy. Drain onion well, then add to bowl. Mix gently until thoroughly combined; season with salt and pepper. Dress with more olive oil if desired.

3. 3.

   Spoon tuna salad onto 4 slices of toast, top with arugula, then close sandwiches and serve.

Source: Read Full Article