Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Tarragon Tuna Melt Sandwich



One of my favorite things to have for lunch, especially when I have lunch 'out' at a casual restaurant is a tuna melt.  I don't often make them for myself at home since it's a larger lunch than I normally eat. Lynn at Happier Than a Pig in Mud is having a Pillsbury Dough Boy celebrity cook-along today and, when I was looking over the Pillsbury website, I found a recipe for tuna melts that reminded me how much I enjoyed them. My recipe is very  'loosely' based on this Pillsbury recipe. Since I had half of a bakery baguette in my freezer, I didn't need to use the Pillsbury Refrigerated Crusty French Loaf. 


Since I now have fresh herbs growing outside (hooray!) I added some fresh tarragon and parsley to my tuna along with some chopped celery, green onion, and sweet red pepper.  My recipe may not bear much resemblance to the original Pillsbury recipe, but it certainly was inspired by it!

It didn't last very long...



Tarragon Tuna Melt
Printable Recipe

Serves 2

1 5-oz can albacore tuna in water, broken into flakes
1 small green onion, chopped
1 tablespoon or more red sweet pepper, chopped
1 tablespoon celery, chopped
1 teaspoon chopped fresh parsley
1/2 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons Hellmann's (or Best Foods if you live west of the Rockies) Light Mayonnaise

1 small baguette, sliced in half crosswise and lengthwise (you can use Pillsbury Refrigerated Crusty French Loaf - follow package instructions for baking)
Cheddar cheese slices

Preheat broiler.

Mix the first 7 ingredients together in a small bowl until blended.

On a small baking pan, place baguette halves upside-down under broiler just to toast lightly. Remove and place right-side up. Divide tuna salad mixture on baguette slices, top with cheddar cheese slices and place under broiler long enough to melt the cheese until bubbly but watching carefully not to burn.

Serve immediately.

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Please visit Happier Than a Pig in Mud to see the rest of the Pillsbury Dough Boy recipes!  I'll also be joining Foodie Friday - thank you both, Lynn and Michael!

51 comments:

  1. Now that's one mighty fine looking lunch Susan! Tuna salad just seems perfect for the summer! Thanks so much for playing along:@)

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  2. I enjoy a tuna melt too. Yours looks great, I love the photos of your herbs, so fresh and pretty. xo,

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  3. sounds good for a summer supper as well!

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  4. I LOVE tuna..this looks so good..Isn't it nice having herbs at our door?:)Oh if only all year long..

    Tout semble bien bon Susan:)

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  5. mi piace molto il tonno!!la foto rende l'idea di quanto deve essere buono!!baci!

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  6. I'm sure your tuna roll must be very gooooooooooood..... hugs, Flavia

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  7. We love tuna and you have done something with it that I love! Thanks for sharing! Luv

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  8. I do love a good sandwich and a tuna melt is right up there at the top of the list. This treat never falls out of favor.

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  9. I would never order a tuna melt when out for lunch because my philosophy is don't order what you can make better at home. That certainly is the case with your tuna melt. I bet you've never eaten one quite as good. It looks and sounds totally delicious.

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  10. Looks yummy! I have not had a tuna melt in so long. I don't try to grow herbs anymore - the last couple of rosemary plants I had did not last any time. Off to make a salad for dinner.
    Enjoy your evening.

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  11. Tuna melts were always a treat growing up and I haven't made them for ages. Your version looks yummy.

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  12. I have had tarragon in a lobster salad sandwich at a resort and the flavor was out of this world. I think I could find and afford tuna a lot easier! This sounds wonderful. I forgot I used to have tarragon, but it must have died out, I will have to plant some more.

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  13. I've been enjoying tuna melts since I was a little girl. I've never added tarragon but will. My parsley must be of a Texas variety. The leaves are huge. Your herbs look like they belong in still lifes!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  14. lovely sandwich oh and great way to use tarragon

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  15. So envious of your beautiful herb garden!

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  16. Looks delicious, I never thought to put tarragon with tuna! I'm going to do that. Your herbs are coming in great.

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  17. I love tuna melts and I never make them at home. This looks delicious. Your herbs are beautiful!

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  18. i love the use of fresh herbs. Beauty!

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  19. Never had a tuna melt and have never used the Spanish tarragon in my garden. I grow it for the fall flowers. Guess it's time to give both a try. Maybe later this week I'll surprise dh with a tuna melt on a bagel thin.

    Thanks for the inspiration!

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  20. Isn't it fun to have fresh herbs at last. This sandwich saved my lunch menu a few times; so easy and so tasty; must try it with my fresh tarragon next time.
    Rita

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  21. I've seen a few recipes for tuna melts floating around lately and they've really made me crave one! The tarragon in this sounds perfect!

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  22. Have always loved tuna melts, Susan. This is a super recipe. Pillsbury knows what's best! (we don't use tarragon nearly enough)

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  23. It's funny, people think I make only strange old recipes... not true... I love tuna melt and make them fairly frequently for lunches and quick suppers. Love the tarragon addition!!

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  24. Tuna melts are one of those childhood favourites that I still adore to this day.

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  25. Your tuna melt looks fabulous. I too am enjoying the fresh herbs. With all the rain we have been having, they are growing so great! Enjoy your weekend:)

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  26. I am not big on tuna but this made me change my mind. Love how delicious this sandwich looks. Great job Susan.

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  27. Mmmm.. so simple yet so delicious,that looks so good,hugs,hugs.

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  29. Susan, the sea of melting cheese on top is making me happy; it's also making me very hungry!

    I forgot to plant Tarragon this year. But I still have the dried version—and don't think I can't see you rolling your eyes.

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  30. Taragon is such a wonderfully fragrant herb --I love using it with baked fish but never added it to my tuna salad --I've always used dill and celery seed. I'm going to add tragon next time!

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  31. Your sandwich is great looking, and I'll bet with the tarragon it smells fantastic. For some reason tuna melts don't agree with me - at all! Cold tuna's fine . . . go figure!

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  32. Oh i forgot how much i love a good tuna melt! btw, nice to meet you, i am your newest follower and glad to find your blog.

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  33. I'm a fan of the tuna melt too, but now I want mine served on a red plate! The addition of fresh herbs can only make it better.

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  34. Hmm, must be my ippad!
    I have never had a tuna melt, I must try it. It looks delicious.
    Love the pics of your fresh herbs. I knew a fresh Herb once! :)

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  35. That's one fantastic tuna melt! Great herb plants!

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  36. My husband loves tuns melts and I know he would like this sandwich, especially with the fresh herbs. A perfect lunch or summer dinner :)

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  37. Bev made some tuna salad the other day and I wish I'd thought of this sandwich - it looks delicious. I'd gladly trade you the ability to grow Crepe Myrtles for the beautiful fir and spruce trees that grow in the North.

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  38. tuna melt was a sandwich I discovered not too long ago and became rather fond of; like it a lot more with the touch of fresh tarragon!

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  39. Yum. It wouldn't last long at my house either.
    Sam

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  40. Tuna melts are always welcomed on my menu! I love your open faced recipe. YUMMY!

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  41. Many thanks for updating your blogroll, Susan. I appreciate it very much.

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  42. Susan, You know, I don't think I've ever had a tuna melt, but your recipe and photos have made me want to try this one. Oh! It looks delicious. I always love looking at your photos. They're so colorful and well designed/staged.
    Love the red cabbage plate. I have them in green but never have found any red ones.
    Hope you have a good week.
    Babs

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  43. Mmm this looks and sounds fantastic! I'm loving your blog. :)

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  44. Wow, what a mouthwatering sandwich! I love the flavors you used in this and really would love to try this for myself. Thanks for sharing!

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  45. I really do love a tuna melt -- grew up on them. Yours looks yummy and so do your fresh herbs. Joni

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  46. Looks yummy Susan! I love tuna and this recipe is perfect for me! Hugs & kisses...

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  47. This looks so good...love fresh herbs, especially tarragon :)

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  48. Tried it last night with 12 grain pumpernickel. It was so good! Added a little carrot and sweet onion to the tuna salad. Thanks for the nudge to use the tarragon!

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