I don’t know about you but I still feel overwhelmed by all the holiday food… and way exhausted after the whole cooking marathon that I have just been through. And yes, New Year’s resolutions are also on my plate! This tuna salad sandwich (or sanduíche natural de atum in Portuguese) will help us to put an end to the calorie spree and a stop to the cooking madness. It’s healthy, colorful, delicious, and can be prepared in only 10 minutes.
Believe it or not, all it takes is canned tuna, light mayo or plain yogurt, ketchup, seasonings, carrots, raisins, and herbs — no cooking at all is needed. Although preferred, radishes are one of the optional ingredients here!
Mix all the ingredients, spread it on your favorite bread, top with slices of watermelon radish, Easter egg radish, or any other type of your choice…
… and enjoy chilled. As with many Brazilian cold sandwiches, there can be variations in the type of meat and some of the vegetables that are used.
And don’t you worry! Our tuna salad sandwich can be easily transported to work/school and served for either lunch or dinner. Down home, we even eat them at snack time or as a quick, wholesome meal on the beach.
Not only that… They can be served as an open-face sandwich at a get-together, or if cut smaller, they make a great tea-time sandwich or party appetizer.
They are so popular that juice shops and healthy food chains carry large selections of them.
Forget the chips and soda… these are best eaten by themselves or accompanied by fresh juice or fruits. After all, resolutions are only any good when they are put into action. 😉
Exercise, sleep well, eat fresh and healthy, and stay focused!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Tuna Salad Sandwich (Sanduíche Natural de Atum)
Ingredients
- 12 oz chunk light tuna in water well-drained, 340 g
- ½ to ¾ cup light mayonnaise or Greek plain yogurt
- 2-3 tablespoons ketchup
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice optional
- Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste
- ½ cup peeled shredded fresh carrots
- ¼ to ½ cup raisins
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro or parsley
- 4-8 slices sourdough bread or any other hard crust bread of your choice depending if served as an open or closed sandwich., or 100% whole wheat bread if desired
- slices About 8 or more largewatermelon radish or other type of your choice optional
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix well the drained tuna, the mayo or plain yogurt, ketchup, lemon juice, salt, pepper, carrots, raisins, and cilantro or parsley.
- If serving as an open-face sandwich, cover tuna mixture and refrigerate for at least 40 minutes. Distribute the tuna mixture on the top of 4 slices of bread. Place about 2 slices (or more) of watermelon radish per slice of bread. Sprinkle with extra chopped cilantro or parsley, and serve.
- If serving as a regular sandwich, after preparing the tuna mixture, distribute the tuna mixture on the top of 4 slices of bread. Place about 2 slices (or more) of watermelon radish per slice of bread. Top each with another slice of bread forming 4 sandwiches. Wrap each tuna salad sandwich with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 40 minutes. Serve and enjoy! It is great with fresh fruits and a chilled lemonade or other cold beverage. YIELD: 4 (if using sourdough) or 2 (if using a whole wheat bread b/c bread slice is larger).
Recipe Notes
If desired, you can add ¼ cup finely chopped celery or cooked corn kernels to the tuna mixture.
Amy
January 5, 2016 at 9:51 amExcellent recipe, I wish our store sold these, we only have the red ones that are not very fresh.
Deb|EastofEdenCooking
January 5, 2016 at 11:25 amTotally distracted by the lush radish photos! Love the update tuna recipe, much needed protein and smashing flavors. This is the way to begin a New Year!
Denise Browning
January 5, 2016 at 5:15 pmThank you so much, Deb! You are always so kind. I am glad you enjoyed the pics. I hope your holidays were wonderful…Wishing you a marvelous New Year!
Kathleen
January 5, 2016 at 11:29 amCan’t wait to try this…..already printed! Looks so yummy!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Denise Browning
January 5, 2016 at 5:17 pmThank you, Kathleen! We had a great time in family. Wishing you a very happy new year as well. I hope you enjoy this Brazilian classic with added radish.
Vania Jacobs
January 5, 2016 at 1:46 pmWill try this! I adore radishes so I will look for these! Always look forward to your recipes. Parabems é feliz ano novo!
Denise Browning
January 5, 2016 at 5:18 pmThanks a lot, Vania! It is so good to hear from you. Um feliz ano novo pra vc tambem.
Amira
January 5, 2016 at 3:21 pmHappy new year to you too, and yes it has been crazy in the kitchen although we do not celebrate Christmas but we just went with the flow of cookies, turkey, roast beef and the list goes on and on :), time to calm down and chill a bit. Your recipe looks so promising and I can even mix it with pasta for a hearty dinner for the kiddos.
Denise Browning
January 5, 2016 at 5:20 pmYes, it is a great mixture for pastas and salads too. My little one is crazy for this tuna sandwich. If you don’t enjoy the peppery flavor of radishes, you can skip them.
Anna @ shenANNAgans
January 5, 2016 at 4:20 pmYUM! And I hear you on still feeling a touch overwhelmed from holiday eating (don’t tell anyone I am still on holidays and still over enjoying). Ha! I very much look forward to trying this pretty sandwich, I have not seen watermelon radish before, its gorgeous. Going to go looking for them today. 🙂 Hope you had a magical Christmas and a fun filled New Years and that your 2016 is amazing, delicious and totally fun! xox
Denise Browning
January 5, 2016 at 5:22 pmThank you, Anna… Likewise!
Yes, watermelon radishes are gorgeous. I tried them for the first time and fell in love with them. They have a spicy, peppery flavor and appealing look. We had a great holiday too. Wishing you a very Happy 2016!
John/Kitchen Riffs
January 6, 2016 at 12:16 pmFunny, as Mrs KR and I were taking our morning walk (and discussing what we should have for dinner), tuna was almost the choice (we went for soup instead). But I’ll be making tuna salad real soon — such wonderful stuff, isn’t it? This looks terrific — thanks.
Asha
January 6, 2016 at 1:21 pmHappy New Year my dear!! Wishing you everything and more in 2016!!
I hear ya, I am quite exhausted after the holidays and taking a bit of a break.
This tuna salad or sandwich is so perfect Denise. The pictures are simply amazing. Fresh and clean eating is definitely happening and I am loving this.
Cheers to a great 2016 my dear.
Fran @ G'day Souffle'
January 6, 2016 at 6:41 pmThose beautiful radishes really make your sandwich stand out. Happy New Year, Denise!
Little Cooking Tips
January 7, 2016 at 12:18 amYummy! We both love tuna, so we’ll be making this very soon! Delicious tuna salad! Have you tried adding a pinch of garlic powder into your mixture? We think it enhances almost any tuna salad, especially one that may contain yogurt, like this one:) What do you think?
Wonderful photography as well (as always!), very interesting new approach the black background.
Lots and lots of hugs!
xoxoxo
Mi Vida en un Dulce
January 7, 2016 at 10:06 amI like tuna sandwich, but I never eat it with radish, good combination!!!