Raw Mock Tuna Salad
Oh how I struggled with the title of this post. It isn’t really mock “tuna”. It is a wonderful fruit and veggie salad, with the addition of a nut paté and a wonderful raw, vegan mayo. But that title is a little long. What I did do was base the salad/nut paté on what I remember being my favorite tuna salad as a girl.
I did not include dulse in this recipe so… no fishy taste. What I do remember about the tuna salad that my mom made was that she always added grapes and celery. I have never gotten over that wonderful combination of salty and sweet.
There are tons of raw recipes on-line for Mock Tuna but they tend to be nut patés. I wanted to lighten up the dish, and fill it with a lot of fresh ingredients. Once again, wonderful omega filled walnuts make an appearance along with healthy sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. That becomes the base, and then to lighten it up, a bunch of fun, crunchy veggies, plus those magic grapes come along for the ride!
You will love this recipe for raw, vegan mayo. By using the same seasoning that traditional mayo, this raw recipe makes a mayo that is pretty darn close to the real thing except it is good for your heart, not bad!
You can find butter lettuce with the root ball attached. It lasts much longer in the fridge this way.
Mock Chicken or Tuna Salad the Rawmazing Way
SERVES 4-6
Mayo
- 1 cup cashews, soaked overnight rinsed and drained
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon raw apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon water, more if needed to achieve proper texture
- 1 lemon, juice from
- 1 tablespoon raw agave nectar or liquid sweetener of choice
- 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
- Freshly ground himalayan salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
- Place all ingredients in a high-speed blender and process, scraping down as necessary, until mixture is smooth.
Salad
- 1 cup walnuts
- 1/2 cup sunflower seeds
- 1/2 cup pumpkin seeds
- 1/2 to 2/3 cup mayo (see above)
- 2 cups cucumber, peeled and diced
- 2 cups celery, sliced
- 1-2 cups grapes, halved
- 1/2 cup scallions
- 1/2 lemon, juice from
- freshly ground Himalayan salt and pepper to taste*
- Soak walnuts, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds in water, overnight. Drain and rinse.
- Place nut mixture in food processor and process until finely blended. Be careful not to make a paste of it.
- Stir in mayo, mix thoroughly.
- Mix in all other ingredients.
- Scoop onto butter lettuce leaf and top with cracked pepper.
Julie wrote on September 28, 2012
Oh my goodness! So far, I’ve only tried the mock mayo… deee-lish! And my 5-year-old daughter and husband (a die-hard meat and potatoes lover) also really liked it! This is a keeper for sure. Can’t wait to try it with the salad! How long does the mayo keep for in the fridge?
Susan wrote on September 28, 2012
It keeps for about 4-5 days but the wonderful thing is that it freezes! Cheers!
Jenny wrote on September 15, 2012
Hi there, what could I use to substitute the dried mustard? And would lime juice work instead of lemon. I have all of the other ingredients on hand except these.
luv what you do wrote on September 8, 2012
Whole foods has a mock tuna salad that is delish, but I never thought to make my own! This look delish!
Rawmetofu wrote on September 6, 2012
Just made it tonight!!This is really yummy recipe!! But when it say 1 cup cashew meaning before soaked or after?? Btw I also add some organic raisin too, it is really nice to put both fresh grape and raisin! Thanks so much for the recipes Susan:)
drue hartwell wrote on September 4, 2012
I made this and it was delicious and really does fill that ‘craving’ for something that seems more substantial. Even my 87 year old mother who won’t even drink a green drink, thought it was good and wanted me to make it for her. Don’t hesitate on this one folks. Yummy. Wish I had some nice onion flat ‘bread’ to put it in.
emily @ a pocketful of wisdom wrote on August 30, 2012
i have a kitchenaid blender which is some years old now but i love it! although, i do wish sometimes that i had a vitamix for the plunger 🙂
annette wrote on August 29, 2012
Beautiful dish on beautiful plates!
Mandi wrote on August 28, 2012
I am just learning about raw foods and looove looking at your recipes and pictures! Your beautiful pictures and easy recipes make the transition easier. Thanks!
alysha wrote on August 28, 2012
Your food pictures are bananas! I drool every time I look at your site, simply outstanding!