For Mother’s Day last week, I decided that our little family would go on a picnic. And since it was MY day, I concocted something I knew I’d enjoy. And, more importantly, didn’t require the use of the oven.
I love Mediterranean flavors, especially this time of year. Add in a craving for feta cheese and you’ve got a hungry mamma whipping up a Greek-style tuna salad.
Here’s the cast of characters:
– 4 cans solid white albacore tuna in water
– ½ cup black pitted olives
– ½ pound feta cheese
– 2 red peppers
– 1 cucumber
– 1 lemon
– Bunch of fresh parsley
– 2-3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
– 3 cloves garlic
– 1 medium red onion
First, roast the two red peppers. If you have a gas stove, simply roast them over the flame, turning them occasionally with a pair of tongs. If you are one of those unlucky cooks with an electric stove, you can either broil the peppers in the oven or buy a jar of roasted red peppers.
Once the peppers are adequately roasted (pretty much burnt) and have cooled down a bit, peel or rub the skin off and remove the seeds and stems. Then chop them up.
This recipe is easy – you just chop up the ingredients and mix it all up in one bowl.
Peel and dice the cucumber.
Chop up the red onion and try not to cry. I love onions but they never fail to make me tear up.
Mince the garlic.
Roughly chop the black olives. Sample a couple.
Cut the feta cheese into small cubes. Sample the feta too. Sampling is a perk of being the cook, so take full advantage.
Chop the parsley. Fresh herbs are so pretty.
Zest the lemon.
Add the tuna to the bowl and break it up into smaller pieces with a spoon or fork.
Squeeze the lemon juice over the mixture. Add the olive oil and season with some salt and pepper.
Toss everything together. Doesn’t it look delicious and colorful?
For our picnic, we ate the Greek tuna salad in pita bread halves. And, miraculously, Owen passed out in his stroller, allowing us to enjoy our food in peace. He did, however, wake up before dessert. But it was still a pretty perfect picnic. 🙂
[…] First, roast the red peppers. If you don’t feel like doing this, you can simply buy a jar of roasted red peppers. For some weird reason, I actually enjoy roasting them myself. You can find directions for roasting peppers here. […]