Monday, August 27, 2007

Mock Tuna Salad


(Featured atop a 'tater-chip)


A couple weeks ago I saw this Mock Tuna Salad recipe recommended on someone's blog (whose blog it was now eludes me though), so I thought, Hey, Self, that'd be something yummy to make for lunches for the week, Self. So Self made a batch of "Tuna" Salad and was knocked off her feet by it. But then Self realized that she'd never actually tasted *real* tuna salad before (*gasps of shock and horror*) so she wasn't actually sure it *tasted* like real tuna salad, though it certainly did *smell* like it and reminded her of her mom and her family dog Lucy (whom she was convinced was half-cat since she had a fiendish love of tuna).

Anyways, Self tried to figure out how to get an accurate read on how tuna-esque the mock-tuna salad actually was, and it dawned on her she could save a wee bit for her fellow when he was in town for the weekend. This was a difficult task, as Self kept whittling down the quantity of "tuna" salad left, because it was *that* good. But thankfully there was enough left for him to try out Sunday morning, and lo and behold, despite him being skeptical of it tasting like *real* tuna salad, his eyes got big, and he said, "Well, I'll be damned--this actually *does* really taste like tuna salad" (or some equivalent of that where he didn't sound like an old guy in a fedora).

So yes: Self was correct. This is a damn good recipe. Enough so that Self has *seriously* been going through some serious mock-tuna-salad craving-waves this week, pretty much every meal starting off with the thought: "Damn, I wish I had me some of that Mock Tuna Salad."

Needless to say, Self heartily heartily HEARTILY recommends this recipe.

If you try out nothing else I've posted here in a while, Self recommends you at least try out this one.

INGREDIENTS:
  • 1(15 oz.) can chick-peas, drained (or 1.5 c. cooked)

  • 1/4 cup vegan mayonnaise (the original would call for in-excess of 1/4 c., but 1/4 c. is WAY more than enough--I think I even used only 1/4 c. on a double-batch of this, and it was *still* magnifique, so if you're looking for lower-fat and calories, just add a wee bit at a time)

  • 1/3 cup minced celery

  • 2.5 T. minced dill pickle (about 1 pickle-slice, give or take)

  • 1/2 T. nutritional yeast

  • 1 green onion, chopped

  • 1 t. soy sauce

  • 1/2 t. kelp powder (optional--i didn't use, b/c who the hell keeps kelp powder handy?)

  • pepper, to taste

DIRECTIONS
In a medium bowl, mash the chick-peas coarsely with a fork. Mix in the remaining ingredients. Use on sandwiches or on a bed of salad greens.

(Original recipe from Compassionate Action for Animals)

35 comments:

veganazi said...

I've tried several mock tuna salads, and none of them tasted like tuna salad. But this one... wow! I had it on a sandwich with lettuce and pickle slices, and it was just like I was eating the real thing! It's also good on crackers - I could not stop eating it! I used Thousand Island dressing instead of mayo, I added extra pickles, some minced carrot for color, omitted the onion, used a heaping tablespoon of miso pate (Bryanna Clark Grogan recipe) in place of the soy sauce, and used finely chopped wakame in place of the kelp powder. I also processed the chickpeas so that most remained chunky and the bottom was kind of a paste to simulate the stickyness of tuna meat. So yum!

Katie ;) said...

Oh this is wonderful! I became vegan about four months ago and I tell you, tuna salad is something that I have been MISSING! I even have to make it everyday at my job, so it's aweful. I was a bit skeptical at first because it was my first time trying Nayonaise, and it seemed a bit odd in the consistency, but when I tried it, I could have cried with joy! I love your blog, I put this on my favourite bread with lettuce, tomatoes, and good ol' tofu bacon (which I also discovered thanks to you :) ) and a good amount of mustard. So very delicious, it makes my heart glad that my favourite sandwich is mine once more!

Lindy Loo said...

Aw thanks! And YAY!

Unknown said...

This is the shit. I made up a tuna casserole recipe using this out of it and it was awesome. It's also good on it's own. The chick peas are close to the texture of tuna. Never thought of that before. Very nice!

jh said...

that sounds awesome!
i wish i had some freaking garbanzo beans right now!!!
regardless,
i got a fantastic tip from a friend who worked at a restaurant that made this awesome mock tuna salad i could NEVER quite reproduce to my satisfaction :)...
the tip utilizes tofu as the tuna substitute but the key to getting the right texture is to FREEZE the tofu before you use it, then obviously freaking DEFROST it first before making your "salad" or whatever.
anyway, just thought i'd add it to the mix for those who like to try new things.
i usually just look up a BUNCH of different recipes before i make my meals: i find a lot of different variations i wouldn't have thought of myself, (or have FORGOTTEN) :)
can't wait to try the chick-pea version next time i get some :)

Anonymous said...

I have tried the Tu-No product and it was OK but nothing had the REAL tuna flavor...until NOW...I almost cried with joy when I tried this...how is it possible?? It's AMAZING. I did use the kelp and I think that gives it an extra real tuna flavor. Thank you so much for this you have no idea how happy it has made me, tuna was my favorite sandwich and I SO missed it!!

LesKadane said...

This recipe is excellent!! I added a little chopped fresh sage and rosemary to it (and the kelp too) and couldn't stop eating it. Also about the mayo - in my opinion the best vegan mayo out there is called Veganaise (so much better that Nayonaise, which I think is terrible). It's usually kept in the refrigerated section of the store. In fact, it's the best mayonnaise I have ever had period, and makes a big difference in recipes calling for any kind of mayonnaise.

Vegan Fazool said...

Miss Lindy Loo, this is my favorite chickpea "tuna" salad, period! I blogged it: http://veganfazool.blogspot.com
Let's hope winter now feels satiated and will depart quietly. Thanks so much, Dawn.

Lisa said...

Oh god, so much wonderful. Tuna salad was what kept me pescatarian for years. When I went vegan last month I thought I'd never get over it. This is amazing, and my new fave food.

Unknown said...

I keep kelp power on hand, and only ever use it for this recipe. But it really adds a seafoody taste to this recipe. Delicious!

Unknown said...

This Is a great Blog thank you. I have been Looking For new Ideas For food. Slowly going From Veggie To Vegan. and This Was Inexpensive and easy to make. <3

Anonymous said...

Tuna salad is one thing that kept me eating seafood for so long even though I haven't eaten meat or dairy for a long time. But I never tried any of the mock tuna recipes I saw thinking it would just taste like a chickpea salad but this is crazy - the texture and taste is amazing and so easy to tweak to your preference. I can't believe I've been vegan without this recipe!! Thank you. :)
p.s. processing at least a bit of the chickpeas does add to the realistic consistency as mentioned above.

IAMQUEENB!!! said...

OMG!!! This is awesome..so glad to read this...& BIG THANK U TO the lady that posted it..but u did make me LOL @ ur comment about "who keeps kelp powder on hand" I was cracking up cause I was saying "I DO" I put dat bish on dam near EVERYTHING, especially my salads or when I'm cooking Tofu/Tofurkey cut up to make "chilli" but I agree with the person that said Veganaise is the best "Mayo" less fattening & taste EVEN BETTER than MAYO..(yes really it does:) I wll def be trying this mock Tuna receipe...WOOOHOOO love this blog...I just went Vegan on 2/10/11 no meats/no dairy but I will still wear fur & Leather, so does that still make me VEGAN? also what is a Pescatarian? I read that also somewhere on here.....find me on Facebook VEGANS at Brenda Iamqueenb Johnson, I like talking to ppl who share my own beliefs....IAMQUEENB!!

Anonymous said...

What a great recipe! If you want a fishy taste and don't have sea kelp powder (I've never even heard of it) any kind of "sea vegetable" even crumbled up nori that you use to wrap sushi in will do. Just add to taste.

Anonymous said...

I just made this stuff, oh, my god! It was so good that I dropped dead from amazement and then immediately came back to life to finish my not tuna sandwich. I made it on fresh sourdough. I want another, but feel like I should save some for the boyfriend man when he gets home hungry from work. Hmmm. Thanks!!!

soyfreevegan said...

I am a soy free vegan...so I omitted the soy sauce and mayo...substituted 2 T. organic mustard, 1 T. lemon juice, 2 T. ground sunflower seeds, and to make it creamy I added a ripe avacado and 1/2 roma tomato chopped. Toasted some sesame Ezekiel Bread...outstanding!

Stephanie said...

WOW!! Tuna salad has always been one of those meals I've missed since going vegan. So I am incredibly happy to have found your recipe! Even my carnivore parents opted for this vegan option for dinner last night! Thanks so much.

Anonymous said...

I make this all the time and I love it. Tastes really good. This tastes way better than the actual tuna salad.....well done !
--Daphne

Shadiddy said...

Kicking myself for procrastinating on this recipe for so long...absolutely amazing!

Unknown said...

This is the best mock tuna salad recipe I have found. I used dulse granules instead of the kelp (don't have kelp). I had run out of pickles, so I used chopped kalamata olives. Served on pumpernickel bread with dijon mustard and spinach. Next time I will add sun dried tomatoes and avocado to my toppings. Thanks for a great recipe.

MyRedSandals said...

I've made this several times and it is delicious. I didn't think the kelp would make any difference, but for less than $3 on Amazon.com, I decided to spring for it and am I glad I did! It adds a hint of "fish" to the dish, which I believe makes the taste even more authentic. My advice is to start small on the vegan mayo... you can always add more and there is a very tiny gap between "perfect" and "mushy".

MrsNokes said...

THANK YOU!!!! I have been vegan for 60 days now and almost reverted back just to eat tuna! This has stopped the "meat" craving dead in its tracks! I'm sure I will be having weekly cravings!! This is SOOO good!

Anonymous said...

This is the BEST mock tuna salad ever! I am so happy. Soooo happy. Tuna has always been one of my favorite things to eat but I am trying to gradually convert to vegan. This is amazing. THANK YOU!

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic! I can't wait to make this!!

lindas5589 said...

OK, maybe I am about a year later than most of these posts, but I have to add my 2 cents worth. I've been 100% vegan since August 2012 (that is, other than my leather coat and pocketbook). Anyway, this mock tuna is absolute perfection! I've had omnivore friends say I should sell it professionally, its just that good! thank you!!!

Veggie210 said...

This was AMAZING!!! I have always loved chickpeas, but never thought that I could make something like this with it. I used dulce flakes and Braggs Sea Kelp Dlight seasoning....incredible!! My new found love.

Unknown said...

I tried this tonight...and WOW!! It tastes just like tuna salad! I used a little grapeseed oil vegenaise, and added kelp granules and dulse flakes, as well as lemon juice and capers (my personal preference). AMAZING!! Thanks so much for sharing this recipe!

Ramiz Andoni said...

I'm allergic to celery, is there a sub for the celery or is it possible to make this recipe without it?

Cmdr. Milner said...

had to make this w/o the soy sauce, I vegan worcestershire sauce, a dash of liquid smoke, and added a minced sheet of seasoned seaweed, instead of the nutritional yeast, I was taught in my natural home remedies class that the yeast and the soy are no longer God made, but man enhanced and that's why I have an allergic reaction to soy and nutritional yeast. But, it was good, I glad I only added a dash of the liquid smoke, though. And I thought I would never get to eat tuna again, Thanks,

Anonymous said...

OMG! Awesome recipe! Thank you! What a great salad!

Anonymous said...

I made this yesterday, but I was looking for a mock chicken salad recipe, (I was never a fan of tuna) So to make it taste like chicken, I just threw in a tsp of poultry seasoning. Wala, best mock chicken salad ever!! I think next time, I may add some walnuts and grapes... okay, now I'm hungry!

Anonymous said...

Hey queenb, a pescatarian is someone who eats fish but no poultry, pork, beef or game, don't think it changes if dairy or eggs are omitted or not, its still pescatarian.. as for still wearing leather n fur and calling yourself vegan, that could get you in trouble with the vegan militia so be careful, especially if you're wearing fur! (not exactly a compassionate look!) Veganism is the abstinence of all animal products, from leather to honey, gelatine to cosmetics that were tested on animals, if you partake, wear, use or eat any animal product then technically your not vegan, that's the simple answer I guess! End of the day its your choice what you do or don't but do expect people to give their opinion on it whether theyre vegan and omnivore, everyone's got an opinion ay? :)

Queen of Health & Wealth said...

Ok. So this is definitely that vegan $hi+ I've been looking for high and low! This recipe is incredibly versatile, with nearly *everything* being able to be substituted - with the exception of the chickpeas of course! I cooked 2 cups of beans earlier last week, and I home make my own mayo - sorry, it beats Veganaise and Nayonaise to me and my fam! - and I'm amazed that I'll have to cook more since we're so obsessed. From my home to yours - we are grateful!

Ashlee B. Sure said...

As many times as I've made this, I thought for sure I had left a comment regarding this recipe's fabulosity... lo and behold, I dropped the ball! I make my own *everything* just about and generally used a tofu or soy milk based homemade mayo to create this yumminess. Today, however, I opted to stray from the versatile soybean and test out the equally versatile flax seed...INSANELY tasty1! Flax mayo is so delicious in this dish, I highly recommend it over any store-bought (and high-priced) mayo on the market. Trust, you *won't* be disappointed...just like when you eat this oh, so lovely TuNO salad. :-) Happy Dining!

Anonymous said...

Post-Christmas, over-stuffed, fed-up of stodgy stodge and an urge for some vegan sushi. Vaguely used this recipe to make a phishy concoction to roll into my California rolls. Bloody lovely. Gonna make this one again.