salami says…

It’s been quite a long, unintentional hiatus for this blog in the past month – I have to confess that I have not been cooking many blog-worthy dishes. Of course, the “fall back” from Daylight Savings time hasn’t helped matters – it’s very challenging for an amateur photog like myself to work in a not-well-lit kitchen with no professional setup! I’ll have to get on that, since I can’t possibly only photograph breakfast and lunch items for the entire stretch of winter.

Enough of my sorry excuses. I thought I’d mark my return to the blogging world with a simple yet satisfying food item – the tuna salad sandwich.  I’m pretty particular about tuna salad – there has to be some crunch, but not so much that you feel like you’re eating an actual SALAD; a good bit of mayo, but not so much that the tuna is swimming in it (haha); and for the love of all things edible, NO RELISH! I love relish on a hot dog, and a touch of relish in a classic potato salad is perfectly acceptable, but it should stay far far away from the tuna sandwich. The same could be said for bits of hard-cooked egg – what’s that all about??

So here’s my take on a favorite salad sandwich – it’s simple, it’s got a little of everything, and when piled thick on homemade wheat bread, you couldn’t ask for anything more.

Tuna Salad Sandwich – Salami’s Way
(Makes enough for about two sliced-bread sandwiches, or one super-duper one)

1 can olive-oil packed tuna (Do not drain!)
3-4 tablespoons of mayonnaise (use the real, good stuff, not the unholy Miracle Whip ’spread’)
1/4 red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup finely diced celery
2 tablespoons capers (I use Trader Joe’s capers in vinegar)
Handful of chopped flat-leaf parsley
Juice of 1/2 lemon, or more if you like more punch
Pinch of sea salt (Fleur de Sel or Maldon would be heaven) and freshly cracked pepper

Put tuna, oil and all, into a large bowl and flake with a fork until it’s pretty well broken up.  Add remaining ingredients and mix well.  Spread onto good bread, grab a bag of salt and vinegar kettle chips and a cold beverage of your choice, and have at it.