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.
Amber wrote on August 18, 2013
Made this recipe twice now. I absolutely LOVE it. Thank you for posting this recipe!
Nathalie wrote on April 20, 2013
Instead of mock tuna, what about calling it a Waldorf salad?
Susan wrote on April 20, 2013
It is much closer to how I make tuna salad than a waldorf salad.
Carolina wrote on March 18, 2013
Thank you for fabulous recipe! I just made a batch and it is To put it mildly – sublime! I’ve been looking for a great raw tuna recipe for years and this is it You’re absolutely right most of the recipes out there are really a nice nut pâté. This is light and refreshing and the grapes are the perfect touch. I have already eaten two big plates and am planning on taking it with me on the plane when I travel for business tomorrow. No doubt this will go down as a signature dish and one of my all-time favorites.
Hashana wrote on January 24, 2013
I am very excited to try and prepare the mock tuna salad however I am allergic Cashews. Would you recommend macadamia nuts or some other kind of nut/seed?
michelle wrote on October 23, 2012
hi Susan,
I agree with you. I tried without and it is great! Especially after you let the flavors develop. I will take a portion from my batch and try it with the dusle. Again this is a winner!!! Thank you for all of your wonderful, yummy recipes!!
michelle
Susan wrote on October 22, 2012
Hi, Michelle,
I didn’t use dulse because I really love the flavor of this as is. But you are always free to experiment!!
Warm Regards,
Susan
michelle wrote on October 22, 2012
Hi Susan,
Your posts are always amazing! You didnt use Dulse in yours-have you tired to in the recipe since? Would appreciate your thoughts on how much you would add.
Thanks!
Michelle
eternitysojourner wrote on October 9, 2012
This is a great recipe! I added garlic cloves to the mayo and skipped the additions to the nut/seed base. Thanks so much for sharing!
Julie wrote on September 28, 2012
Awesome!! Thought at this rate, it may not last that long… LOL Thank you for the awesome recipe!