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Simple Spoonfuls

August 21, 2020 · Leave a Comment

Mediterranean Tuna Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing

Lunch· Salads and Sides

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This lightened up and mayo-free Mediterranean tuna salad will elevate your lunch game to the next level! The bright flavors of capers, roasted red peppers, cucumber and shallots bring this salad to life while tuna and chickpeas add the protein you need to fuel you through your day.

healthy tuna salad on a plate

Why this healthy tuna salad is great for lunch

When it comes to lunch time, I find it hard to find a good balance. I’m either completely rushed and grabbing something on the go that’s less than healthy, or I’m indulging in something over the top that leaves me feeling stuffed and sluggish. I have challenged myself to come up with healthy lunch options that fit the following criteria and this recipe checks all the boxes.

  • Lunch that can be meal prepped and made in advance so I’m not making decisions about what to eat on the fly.
  • A healthy-ish option that is full of bold flavors so it doesn’t feel like diet food. I want to look forward to eating it!
  • Full of protein to keep me fueled throughout the day.
  • Easily customizable so I can utilize what I have on hand in my fridge and pantry.
  • Can be enjoyed hot or cold.
ingredients for mediterranean tuna salad in individual bowls

Tuna salad ingredients and substitutions

While I think this recipe is pretty perfect as it is, there’s lots of different ways you can customize it to fit your own tastebuds or what you have on hand! Try these ideas to switch it up:

  • Tuna-The best option when it comes to canned tuna is to find the kind that is packed in olive oil to yield the best flavor. If you can’t find this, make sure to grab a can that says “no salt added” so you can control the salt content yourself
  • Chickpeas-These add even more protein to the salad and some nice creaminess. White beans make a great substitution.
  • Arugula-I always have arugula on hand because it’s my favorite! However, spinach, kale, watercress or even spring greens would be excellent. Or, serve it in a romaine leaf to make a lettuce wrap out of it!
  • Capers-If you don’t have capers or don’t enjoy their intense briny flavor, pickles or green olives are a delicious option.
  • Roasted red peppers-These are a great pantry staple but tomatoes or artichoke hearts make for a great variation.
  • Shallot-I love the sharp bite of shallot but red onion is an easy substitute in a pinch.
  • Cucumber-I love the fresh crunch of cucumber in this tuna salad but feel free to leave it out!
bowl full of ingredients for mediterranean tuna salad

Ways to dress up your tuna salad

I’m all for finding fun ways to dress up something as simple as tuna salad. If you meal prep this recipe, then I highly suggest finding ways to switch it up each day so you don’t get tired of eating the same thing.

  • Try topping with a little feta cheese or parmesan shavings
  • Add a dollop of hummus on top and a few triangles of pita bread, or tuck it into a pita pocket!
  • I love this garlicky lemon dressing but this is another great lemon chive vinaigrette.
  • Fresh herbs make a great addition! Try a handful of chopped parsley, dill or chives.
  • Stuff this tuna inside a hollowed out tomato, halved avocado or romaine leaf.
lemon garlic dressing in a jar

Meal prepping this recipe for a healthy lunch

The thing I love most about this healthy tuna salad is that you can meal prep it in advance and the flavors just get better and better! Lately, I’ve been loving these metal bento box style containers. They have a nice, tight seal to prevent any leaks. Plus, the extra compartments keep other items, like pita bread, from getting soggy from the salad. They’re especially great for kids lunches too!

tuna salad in a meal prep container with pita triangles and sliced cherry tomatoes
tuna salad on a plate

Mediterranean Tuna Salad with Lemon Garlic Dressing

This healthy tuna salad is packed full of bright and zippy Mediterranean flavors and is tossed with a light lemon garlic dressing. It's a perfect make ahead lunch since the flavors just get better with time.
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Prep Time 10 mins
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 3 servings

Ingredients
  

Tuna Salad

  • 1 can tuna packed in olive oil, drained
  • 1 14oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed well
  • 4 cups loosely packed fresh arugula or greens
  • 3/4 cup roasted red peppers, diced
  • 3/4 cup cucumber, diced
  • 1/4 cup capers
  • 1/4 cup minced shallot or red onion

Lemon Garlic Dressing

  • 1 whole lemon, zested and juiced
  • 1 tsp dijon mustard
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 tsp kosher salt
  • 1/4 tsp white sugar
  • 1 pinch red pepper flakes
  • 1/3 cup olive oil

Instructions
 

  • In a jar, combine the lemon zest, lemon juice, minced garlic, 1 tsp dijon, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/4 tsp sugar, pinch of red pepper flakes and 1/3 cup olive oil. Shake well.
  • In a bowl, combine the tuna, chickpeas, arugula, roasted red peppers, cucumber, capers, and shallot. Drizzle on the lemon garlic vinaigrette and toss well.

Notes

See the “Ingredients and Substitutions” notes above for a variety of ways to customize this tuna salad with different flavors. 
You can meal prep this salad ahead of time and it will keep in the fridge for up to three days.
Keyword tuna, tuna salad, mediterranean, chickpea, salad
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simple_spoonfuls

#ad I wanted to share my entry for the #beginwith #ad  I wanted to share my entry for the #beginwithjuice contest to create a recipe that uses 100% fruit juice. I’m SO proud of how yummy this cast iron blood orange chicken turned out! 🍊🍗

The blood orange juice,  chicken stock and caramelized red onions reduce down to a luxurious sauce that is delicious served over a bed of fluffy couscous.

This chicken is the perfect date night or entertaining recipe thanks to the gorgeous pink blood oranges. 🍊

Drop me a comment if you’d like the full recipe so you too can wow your family and friends! 💫

#castironskillet #chickenrecipes #chickenrecipe #chickenfordinner #orangechicken #bloodorange #bloodoranges #citrus #easydinner #easydinners #mediterraneandiet #healthyrecipeshare #foodphotography #mealprepmonday #greenolives #simplespoonfuls #whatimadetoday #whatiatefordinner #whatiatetoday #whatsfordinnertonight
I’m thinking about making this luscious red pepp I’m thinking about making this luscious red pepper pesto pasta for dinner tonight! The sauce is a spin on romesco in the most delicious way. 🍝

The feta, tomato and kalamata olives take it to the next level! But the best part is that the sauce is so versatile for other uses like as the base of a pizza, as a spread inside a wrap or burger bun, or drizzled over a roasted chicken breast. 🍕🍔🍗And it only takes five minutes to blitz it up in a food processor! 💪

What are y’all whipping up for dinner tonight?

#romesco #pestopasta #pestosauce #roastedredpeppers #roastedredpepper #pastasalad #pastaporn #pastalovers #pastalove #mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanfood #mediterraneanlife #mealprepideas #mealpreps #mealpreprecipes #mealprepinspo #foodblogging #healthyrecipeshare #easyrecipes #simplerecipes #simplespoonfuls #frommykitchen #frommykitchentoyours #whatiatetoday #whaticooked #pastarecipes #pastaofinstagram #carbsarelife #carbsoncarbs
You know that lonely bag of Costco cauliflower ric You know that lonely bag of Costco cauliflower rice sitting in your freezer?  Look how beautifully it transforms with a super easy cooking method my personal chef friend @skusnic taught me!  There’s no defrosting, no squeezing out excess water, no babysitting on the stovetop.  Instead, you let the broiler do the work for you! 

The high heat dries out the riced cauliflower so it gets toasty instead of soggy.  Once it’s at your desired level of golden brown, pull it out and dress it up with whatever flavors you have on hand.

I like to make mine into a keto-friendly, gluten-free rice pilaf with toasty pinenuts, garlic and parsley, finished with a shower of Parmesan. Yummm!  Video to come soon!

#cauliflowerrice #cauliflowerrecipes #cauliflower #freezermeals #mealprepideas #mealprepping #mealpreppin #mealprepinspo #mealprepsundays #mealpreps #mealprepmondays #sidedish #sidedishes #easyrecipe #easyrecipesathome #simplespoonfuls #healthysides #healthyrecipes #healthyrecipesforfamilies #ricepilaf #ketorecipe #easyketorecipes #ketomeal #ketoadapted #foodblogger #foodphotographyandstyling #vegetarianmeals #vegetarianketo #vegetariandinner #vegetarianismo
I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this I can’t tell you how excited I am to share this dish with you! I was inspired by my friend Elena from @mamamiamangia__  and her beautiful Italian creations! 🇮🇹 

I’m not exactly sure what to name this recipe but it’s basically garlicky shrimp with white beans, sundried tomatoes and arugula. 🍤🍅🥬The flavor is amplified with lots of bright lemon zest and herby parsley. 🍋 A generous pinch of red pepper flakes brings just the right amount of heat without being spicy.  Best of all it’s gluten free and low carb.  It was so good we ate the leftovers tossed with linguine for dinner! Follow along in my stories to see it all come together!

I know I say this about all my recipes but you really should save this bad boy!  Not only does it taste like a million bucks, it looks like it too, and luckily its incredibly simple to make!

Mediterranean Shrimp and White Bean Arugula Salad

Half pound peeled and deveined shrimp (defrosted frozen is fine)
1/3 cup sundried toms, sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
3 tbsp parsley, chopped 
Half can cannelini beans
 1 large lemon, zested and juiced
Pinch of Red pepper flakes
Sea salt and black pepper
2 tbsp Olive oil
Arugula

Heat 2 tbsp olive oil in a non stick sauté pan over medium heat.  Add peeled and deveined shrimp and sprinkle lightly with sea salt and black pepper. Add the four cloves of minced garlic. After about 1-2 minutes flip the shrimp once they’ve turned pink on the bottom.  Then add the beans, sundried tomatoes, lemon zest and juice and red pepper flakes. Cook 1-2 more minutes until shrimp is fully cooked and then remove from the heat.  Add the fresh parsley and toss well. In a big bowl, lightly dress fresh arugula with extra virgin olive oil, sea salt and pepper.  Spoon shrimp mixture over the top and garnish with extra lemon! 

#mediterraneandiet #mediterraneanrecipes #italianrecipes #italianrecipe #healthyrecipes #healthyrecipe #saladporn #saladinspo #saladsofinstagram #pescatarianrecipes #pescatarianlife #seafoodrecipes #simplespoonfuls #shrimprecipes #italiansalad #eatwithyoureyes #sundriedtomatoes #eatpretty #frommykitchen #healthydinners #healthydinnerideas #easydinnerideas #easydinner #whatiatefordinner
Happy New Year everyone! 🥂I love seeing my top Happy New Year everyone! 🥂I love seeing my top 9 because to me it represents taking the first steps towards making my dreams come true.  I’m so proud of myself for putting my work out there despite the fact that I’m not at the level I want to be yet and I’m constantly fighting off the perfectionist little voice in my head.  Anyone else hear that voice?🙉

I love seeing the rainbow of color injected into my creations and it just makes me so.damn.happy. 🌈  I can’t wait to make 2021 MY year and to stop dreaming and start DOING! 💪🤘 I know it’s going to be a great year for you too!

I’m so thankful for each and everyone of you and I’m excited to show up for you every day! ❤️

Xoxo
Katie

#topnine2020 #topnine #topposts #foodblogger #foodbloggers #eattherainbow🌈 #eattherainbow #eatwithyoureyes #feastonthis #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotography📷 #myrecipes #eatrealfood #jerf #simplespoonfuls #healthyrecipes #mealprepideas #buddhabowls
*Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and *Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and Pomegranate*

I was today years old when I discovered my love of chia pudding! 🙌 I’ve given it a few chances over the years but could never get the consistency just right and I couldn’t understand what all the fuss was about.  But I’m a sucker for a meal prep breakfast and was determined to figure this one out. 

Thankfully a fellow personal chef and longtime friend of mine @skusnic let me in on the secret of her ratios.  I still managed to botch her recipe because I can’t be bothered to follow a recipe to save my life (this is why I’m not a baker!) but it turned out fantastic nonetheless. 

I love how the bright winter citrus and tart pom seeds cut through the richness of the coconut. 🍊🥥And the honey adds just the right amount of sweetness to make you want to devour the whole batch! 🍯

🛑Make sure you hit the SAVE 👆🏻 button on this one!  I can’t wait to see how you customize it with your favorite flavors!

*Honey Coconut Chia Pudding with Blood Orange and Pomegranate*
2/3 can of coconut milk 
1/2 cup of milk of your choice (I used skim bc it’s what I had)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup chia seeds
1.5 tbsp honey or maple syrup
Pomegranate arils
Blood orange segments
Hemp hearts or flax seeds 

Combine coconut milk, milk, vanilla and chia seeds and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least six hours or over night.  Stir in honey and top with pomegranate seeds and orange segments. Top with hemp hearts or flax seeds (optional)

#chiapudding #chiaseedsbenefits #hemphearts #mealprepideas #breakfastmeal #mealpreps #mealprepsundays #makeaheadmeals #breakfasttime #vegetarianbreakfast #vegetarianrecipes #veganbreakfast #veganbreakfastideas #bloodoranges #bloodorange #pomegranateseeds #pomegranates #pomwonderful #hempheals #veganpudding #whatiateforbreakfast #whatiatetoday #mealprepinspo #mealpreping #mealprepmonday #mealprepmondays #breakfastinspo #getinmybelly😋 #eatwithyoureyes
Wishing you all the merriest Christmas! I’m so Wishing you all the merriest Christmas!  I’m so thankful for each and every one of you, especially this year.  During a time when we can’t be close to our loved ones, it makes me appreciate the connections I’ve made on here that much more!❤️❤️❤️ Love and joy to you all! 

Xoxo,
Katie
I don’t know about y’all but in our family, Ch I don’t know about y’all but in our family, Christmas breakfast is just as important as Christmas dinner!  Traditionally I make a strata because I can prep it all the night before and just pop it into the oven in the morning!  That way, I can enjoy our Christmas morning stress-free without fussing in the kitchen.

I’ve been making this bagels and lox strata for years and the flavor is out of this world!  Safe to say, it’s a family tradition.  I love using everything bagels for the extra flavor they bring to the table. Plus, you can’t go wrong with the flavors of smoked salmon, capers, and cream cheese. 

I throw a little spinach in the mix to amp up the green color and finish it off with fresh dill or chives for some extra herby goodness.  I think Chrissy Teigen has a similar recipe but this is my spin on things.

Everything Bagels and Lox Breakfast Strata
3 day old bagels cut into 3/4” cubes
5 eggs
1 3/4 cup whole milk
1/4 cup grated parmesan
1 tsp dijon mustard
3/4 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 small shallot, minced
2 tbsp capers
6 oz smoked salmon or lox
2 cups spinach, torn
4 oz cream cheese
EBTB seasoning
Fresh dill

Combine the eggs, milk, parmesan, dijon, salt, pepper, shallot and dijon and mix until smooth.  Grease a medium sized casserole dish, scatter the bagel pieces around the dish and pour the egg mixture over the top.  Scatter the spinach pieces, lox, and capers and gently stir into the bagel and egg mix. Top with dollops of cream cheese and additional everything but the bagel seasoning.

Cover and place in the fridge for at least two hours, or ideally overnight. 
Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean, like a cake, and not with raw eggs.

Top with the fresh dill and serve!

#strata #breakfastofchamps #christmasbreakfast #christmasmorning #makeaheadmeals #everythingbagel #ebtb #everythingbagelseasoning #easybreakfast #whatiateforbreakfast #whatsforbrunch #brunchgoals #brunchideas #brunching #christmasbrunch #christmasmeal #christmasrecipes #holidaybrunch #holidaymeals #holidayrecipes #holidayrecipe #foodblogger #mealpreps #mealprepideas #breakfastgoals #simplespoonfuls #foodstylingandphotography
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