Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing

Region / culture: USA | Servings: 6

Introduction

Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing is a delicious and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The combination of tuna, rice, and avocado creates a flavorful and satisfying meal that is sure to please your taste buds.

History

This recipe is a modern twist on the classic tuna salad. By adding rice and a creamy avocado dressing, this dish takes on a whole new level of flavor and texture. The addition of fresh vegetables like peas, onion, and celery adds a pop of color and crunch to the dish.

Ingredients

2 cups cooked rice
1 x 9 oz (255 g) can of tuna, drained
1 x 8.5 oz (241 g) can of green peas, drained
0.5 cup chopped onion
2 cups sliced celery
1 tsp salt
0.5 tsp ground black pepper
dash of hot pepper sauce
0.5 cup mayonnaise
8 whole peeled tomatoes
salad greens

Avocado dressing

1 avocado, peeled, seeded, and mashed
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
3 to 4 drops of hot pepper sauce
0.5 tsp worcestershire sauce
0.5 tsp onion juice
0.25 tsp garlic powder
0.5 tsp salt

How to prepare

Mix rice, tuna, peas, onion, celery, salt, pepper, pepper sauce, and mayonnaise. Chill.
Cut out blossom ends of tomatoes and cut into sixths or eighths, almost but not quite through to give a petal effect.
Fill with rice-tuna mixture and arrange on salad greens, if desired.
Top with Avocado dressing.

Avocado dressing

Combine avocado, mayonnaise, sour cream, pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, onion juice, garlic powder, and salt. Blend or process until smooth.

Variations

Add diced bell peppers or cherry tomatoes for extra color and flavor.
Substitute brown rice or quinoa for the white rice for a healthier option.
Use Greek yogurt in place of mayonnaise for a lighter dressing.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to drain the tuna and peas well before adding them to the salad to prevent excess moisture.

- For a more flavorful dish, you can add additional seasonings like garlic powder, onion powder, or dried herbs.

- To make the avocado dressing extra creamy, be sure to blend or process it until smooth.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing on a bed of salad greens for a light and refreshing meal. You can also enjoy it as a sandwich filling or wrap.

Cooking Techniques

Be sure to cook the rice according to package instructions to ensure it is fluffy and not mushy.

- When mixing the salad ingredients, be gentle to avoid breaking up the tuna chunks.

Ingredient Substitutions

You can use canned or fresh tuna for this recipe.

- If you don't have avocado, you can use Greek yogurt or sour cream for the dressing.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the rice-tuna mixture and avocado dressing ahead of time and assemble the salad just before serving for a quick and easy meal.

Presentation Ideas

Arrange the tomato petals on a platter and top with the rice-tuna mixture for a beautiful presentation. Garnish with fresh herbs or avocado slices for an extra touch.

Pairing Recommendations

This dish pairs well with a crisp white wine or a refreshing iced tea. You can also serve it with a side of crusty bread or crackers.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftover Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently in the microwave or enjoy cold.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

Each serving of Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing contains approximately 30 grams of carbohydrates.

Fats

Each serving of Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing contains approximately 20 grams of fats.

Proteins

Each serving of Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing contains approximately 15 grams of proteins.

Vitamins and minerals

This dish is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, potassium, and magnesium.

Alergens

This recipe contains fish (tuna), eggs (mayonnaise), and dairy (sour cream), which may be allergens for some individuals.

Summary

Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing is a balanced meal that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, along with essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for a light and satisfying meal. With a creamy avocado dressing and a mix of fresh vegetables, this salad is sure to become a new favorite in your recipe collection.

How did I get this recipe?

I remember the sense of wonder I felt when I first saw this recipe for Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing. It was a warm summer day, and I was visiting my dear friend Maria’s house for our weekly cooking session. Maria was a culinary genius, always coming up with new and exciting recipes that never failed to impress me.

On that particular day, Maria had a twinkle in her eye as she handed me a piece of paper with the recipe written on it. She told me that this was a special recipe passed down from her own grandmother, who had learned it from a friend many years ago. Maria explained that the combination of tuna, rice, and avocado in a salad was a unique and delicious twist that I just had to try.

As I read through the recipe, I could feel my excitement growing. The ingredients were simple yet flavorful, and I could already imagine the creamy avocado dressing coating the tender tuna and fluffy rice. Maria must have noticed my enthusiasm because she grinned and said, “I have a feeling this is going to become one of your go-to recipes, just like it has been for me.”

With Maria’s guidance, I set to work preparing the salad. I cooked the rice until it was perfectly fluffy, then mixed it with chunks of canned tuna and diced vegetables. The avocado dressing was a breeze to make – just ripe avocados, lemon juice, olive oil, and a dash of salt blended together until smooth and creamy. As I poured the dressing over the salad and tossed everything together, I couldn’t wait to taste the final result.

When we sat down to enjoy our meal, I took my first bite of the Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing. The flavors exploded in my mouth – the creamy avocado paired perfectly with the savory tuna and fluffy rice, creating a dish that was both light and satisfying. Maria watched me with a knowing smile, and I knew she had been right – this recipe was a winner.

From that day on, the Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing became a staple in my cooking repertoire. I made it for family gatherings, potlucks, and even just for myself on lazy weeknights. Each time I prepared the dish, I felt a sense of connection to Maria and her grandmother, grateful for the gift of this delicious recipe that had been passed down through generations.

Over the years, I continued to tweak and perfect the recipe, adding my own personal touches and variations. Sometimes I would swap out the tuna for shredded chicken or chickpeas, or add extra herbs and spices to the avocado dressing. But no matter how I modified the dish, the essence of the original recipe remained the same – a simple yet flavorful salad that never failed to impress.

As I grew older, I realized the true magic of recipes like the Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing. They weren’t just about the ingredients and the cooking techniques, but about the memories and stories that came with them. Every time I made this dish, I was reminded of Maria and her grandmother, of the bond we shared over our love of food and cooking.

Now, as I pass on this recipe to you, my dear grandchild, I hope you will feel that same sense of wonder and connection that I did when I first discovered it. May you savor each bite of the Tuna and Rice Salad with Avocado Dressing, and may it bring you joy and nourishment just as it has for me and my loved ones.

And remember, the true beauty of a recipe lies not just in its flavors, but in the stories and memories that accompany it. Cherish those moments, my dear, and let the magic of cooking bring you closer to those you love. Happy cooking, and bon appétit!