What's for lunch Honey?

Today, I just wanted to make a quick and healthy lunch. Lately, I've been craving Tuna. Weird, huh? (Mom, if you're reading this, no, I'm NOT pregnant!). I remember a time when I used to detest Tuna. I hated the taste of it and thought it smelled so strange. As I got older, my taste started to change. Does that happen to any of you?

Anyways, yesterday, I went to Costco and got some Tuna. I personally love Costco's Kirkland Solid White Albacore Tuna. Starkist is my favorite brand of Tuna but Kirkland comes a close second. Plus, our Costco doesn't carry the Starkist cans...only Chicken of the Sea. I was searching the web for a good Tuna salad sandwich recipe but the ones I liked involved copious amounts of mayonnaise. We've been trying to eat as healthy as possible around here so I just came up with my own recipe.

It uses sun-dried tomatoes (also bought at Costco for a ridiculously low price..less than $8 for 2 pounds!), celery, parsley, mustard, and a few other ingredients. I also used Kirkland multigrain, 100% whole grain bread. The result was a delicious, delectable, healthy sandwich. The best part? When my husband bit into it, the first thing he said was...honey, how much mayonnaise did you put into it? I was happy to tell him that I only used 1 tbsp. of light mayonnaise! See for yourself. ;)





Here's the recipe:

Ingredients:

One 7 oz. can of Solid White Albacore Tuna
1/4 stalk of celery, cut
1 tbsp. lemon juice
4 sun-dried tomatoes
1 1/2 tsp. mustard (I used dark brown mustard)
2 tbsp. fresh parsley
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 1/2 tsp. pickle relish (dill or sweet)
1 tbsp. light mayonnaise


Cheese to taste
Broccoli Sprouts (optional)
4 slices of bread (for 2 sandwiches)
1 tbsp. Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil (for browning the bread)

Method:

Combine the first 9 ingredients together using a food processor. If you don't like your Tuna salad smooth, just chop the celery, sun-dried tomatoes and parsley and mix it with all the ingredients.

Heat a skillet and melt 1 tbsp. of coconut oil. Once the oil is hot, lay 1 piece of bread on the skillet, sprinkle with some cheese, top it with the Tuna salad and broccoli sprouts. Then, place 1 slice of bread on the sprouts then flip the sandwich to brown the other side.

My favorite part about this sandwich was the coconut oil and sun-dried tomatoes. The coconut oil gave the bread such a wonderfully sweet, distinct flavor while the sun-dried tomatoes added a zip. Trust me..you won't miss the mayo!

Costco..enough said.

If you know me at all, you know that I have an incredibly unhealthy fascination with Costco. It's a love affair that began a few years ago and it all started with Christmas wrapping paper.

Growing up, we spent our Christmases with my aunt, uncle and our adorable twin cousins. Through the years, my aunt and uncle always had the most gorgeously wrapped presents. They were so beautiful that I was afraid to touch them..literally. Believe you me, that was hard because I was the kid who would try to take a sneak peak at all the goodies under the tree. At one point, I became more enamored with the wrapping paper than the gift itself. Then, I discovered their secret. Each year, they bought their wrapping paper from Costco!

Ever since then, I've been an avid fan of Costco. To this day, come rain or shine, if you ask me to go to Costco, I will be ready in 5 minutes flat (a feat you won't see too often). Me in Costco is like a kid at FAO Schwarz. In fact, before I met my husband, my list of requirements for a partner went something like this. Must love me. Must love my family. Must love Costco.

In these past 6 weeks, there are lots of things I've missed doing, things I've taken for granted. One of those things are my bi-weekly Costco trips. So, on Monday, after my doctor's appointment, my husband asked me what I'd like to do. Bursting at the seams, I said...honey, can you please take me to Costco? He said: really? I said: REALLY! So, off we went. When I got in, I was so happy to flash my Costco executive member card at the door, smile at the employees in their red and blue Costco vests and most of all, gaze at their CHRISTMAS items! They had their Christmas items people! Unfortunately, I didn't see this year's wrapping paper, but I can't wait!

On more than one occasion, my husband has told me that I need to work in Costco's corporate office. Considering it's in Issaquah, WA, that's out of the question. Mr. Sinegal (that's Costco's CEO), in the 1 in a 100 million chance you're reading this and have a telecommuting position available, know that you can count on me to faithfully carry out the job requirements. Sir, I have lost count of how many folks became Costco members after I (Priya), introduced them to your wonderful establishment. Furthermore Mr. Sinegal, I have lured many patrons away from your competitor, Sam's. Now you tell me, how many employees of yours can say that?

In any event, I think it's safe to say....I love Costco.