Mediterranean Delight Tuna Salad Ciabatta
Elevate your tastebuds with the Mediterranean Delight Tuna Salad Ciabatta, a sandwich that encapsulates the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast. This extravagant creation combines rich, flaky tuna with the crunch of fresh vegetables and the piquant notes of capers and olives, all enveloped in soft, airy ciabatta bread. Complemented by a refreshing lemon vinaigrette and topped with peppery arugula and shaved fennel, this sandwich is perfect for lunch or a chic snack. Ideal for gatherings or simply to treat yourself, this is a sublime indulgence you won't want to miss. Enjoy a bite of the Mediterranean sun, no passport required!
N/A
Servings
455
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
Canola Oil
1 cup (none)
Lemon Juice
5 tablespoons (freshly squeezed)
Red Wine Vinegar
1 tablespoon (none)
Shallots
4 teaspoons (chopped)
Salt
1 1/2 teaspoons (none)
Black Pepper
1/2 teaspoon (freshly ground)
Sugar
1/2 teaspoon (none)
Olive Oil
1/2 tablespoon (for sautéing)
Red Onion
1/2 cup (thinly sliced)
Italian Light Tuna
8 (6 ounce) cans (in oil, drained)
Parsley
1/2 cup (chopped)
Capers
2 tablespoons (whole)
Kalamata Olives
2 tablespoons (quartered lengthwise)
Cornichons
3 (chopped)
Roma Tomatoes
2 (grilled, peeled, and cut into eighths)
Ciabatta Bread
3 loaves (fresh)
Arugula
12 ounces (fresh)
Fennel
1 cup (shaved, about half a fennel bulb)
Lemon Vinaigrette
1 cup (prepared from above)
Instructions
1
Prepare the Lemon Vinaigrette by pouring the canola oil into a medium bowl.
2
Whisk in the lemon juice, red wine vinegar, chopped shallots, salt, black pepper, and sugar until well combined. Set aside the vinaigrette to allow the flavors to meld.
3
In a small sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the thinly sliced red onion and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, or until softened and translucent.
4
Open the cans of Italian light tuna, draining them while reserving a few tablespoons of the oil. Flake the tuna into a large mixing bowl.
5
Combine the flaked tuna with the chopped parsley, capers, sliced kalamata olives, chopped cornichons, 1 1/2 teaspoons of lemon juice, grilled and peeled roma tomatoes, and the sautéed onions. Mix gently, adding the reserved tuna oil as needed for moisture. Season the mixture with salt and pepper to taste.
6
Prepare the ciabatta by cutting one inch off the end of each loaf. Slice the loaves into 4-inch pieces and then slice each piece in half. Gently remove some of the soft bread center to make space for the filling. Lightly grill the cut sides of the bread until toasted.
7
In a large bowl, toss the arugula and shaved fennel with the prepared lemon vinaigrette until evenly coated.
8
Assemble the sandwiches by placing a generous portion of the dressed arugula and fennel mix on the bottom half of the grilled ciabatta. Add about 1 1/4 cups of the tuna mixture, then top with more arugula. Finish with the top half of the ciabatta.
9
Slice each sandwich diagonally and serve immediately for a delightful Mediterranean experience.
Nutrition Information
29.6g
Fat
23.5g
Carbs
21.4g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mediterranean Delight Tuna Salad Ciabatta?
It is an elevated tuna sandwich featuring Italian light tuna, fresh vegetables, capers, olives, and a lemon vinaigrette served on grilled ciabatta bread.
How many calories are in one serving of this sandwich?
Each serving contains approximately 455 calories.
What type of tuna is recommended for this recipe?
The recipe calls for 8 cans of Italian light tuna packed in oil for a rich and flaky texture.
Should I drain the oil from the tuna cans?
Yes, you should drain the tuna but reserve a few tablespoons of the oil to add back into the mixture for moisture.
What ingredients are in the Lemon Vinaigrette?
The vinaigrette consists of canola oil, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, chopped shallots, salt, black pepper, and sugar.
How is the red onion prepared for the tuna salad?
The red onion is thinly sliced and sautéed in olive oil for 4 to 5 minutes until softened and translucent.
What type of bread is used for this Mediterranean sandwich?
Fresh ciabatta bread is used, which is sliced into pieces and lightly grilled.
How do I prepare the ciabatta loaves?
Cut the ends off, slice into 4-inch pieces, halve them, and remove some of the soft center to make room for the filling.
What vegetables are mixed directly into the tuna?
The tuna is mixed with parsley, capers, kalamata olives, cornichons, grilled roma tomatoes, and sautéed onions.
How are the Roma tomatoes prepared for the recipe?
The Roma tomatoes are grilled, peeled, and cut into eighths before being added to the tuna mixture.
What greens are used as a topping for the sandwich?
A fresh mixture of arugula and shaved fennel bulb is used as the topping.
How much protein does this sandwich provide?
This sandwich provides 21.4 grams of protein per serving.
What is the fat content of the Mediterranean Delight Tuna Salad Ciabatta?
The sandwich contains 29.6 grams of fat per serving.
Are there carbohydrates in this recipe?
Yes, there are 23.5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
What are cornichons?
Cornichons are small, tart pickled cucumbers that add a tangy crunch to the tuna salad.
How should the fennel be prepared?
The fennel should be thinly shaved; you will need about 1 cup, which is roughly half a fennel bulb.
Does the recipe require salt and pepper?
Yes, salt and black pepper are used in both the vinaigrette and the tuna mixture to taste.
Is there sugar in the recipe?
A small amount (1/2 teaspoon) of sugar is included in the vinaigrette to balance the acidity.
How do you assemble the sandwich?
Place dressed arugula and fennel on the bottom bread, add the tuna mixture, top with more arugula, and close the sandwich.
What is the recommended way to serve the sandwich?
The sandwich should be sliced diagonally and served immediately.
Can I use water-packed tuna instead of oil-packed?
While you can, oil-packed Italian tuna is recommended for the authentic flavor and moisture specified in the recipe.
How much tuna mixture goes into each sandwich?
Each sandwich should be filled with approximately 1 1/4 cups of the tuna mixture.
What kind of olives are used?
Kalamata olives are used, and they should be quartered lengthwise.
Is the ciabatta bread toasted?
Yes, the recipe instructs to lightly grill the cut sides of the bread until they are toasted.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 19 distinct ingredients used to create this sandwich and its components.
Can I make the lemon vinaigrette ahead of time?
Yes, making it ahead and setting it aside allows the flavors of the shallots and citrus to meld together.
Is this recipe considered a healthy option?
Yes, it is tagged as healthy and features fresh vegetables, lean seafood, and olive oil.
What is the purpose of the red wine vinegar?
It provides a sharp, acidic note to the vinaigrette that complements the lemon juice and tuna.
Is this recipe suitable for a light lunch?
Absolutely, it is specifically tagged for lunch and snacks, offering a refreshing yet filling meal.
What region's flavors inspired this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean coast.