I don’t know about you, but growing up, I feel like tuna melts were always on the menu rotation. Not for me, because I *hated* tuna, but it seems my dad and sister enjoyed them every sunday for lunch. I love a good toasted sandwich, but for some reason I never grew to like tuna salad. Then, I went vegan and it didn’t matter anyway! But the weird thing is, I looooove chickpea “tuna” salad and chickpea “tuna” melts. Kinda weird, but I think I love that it mimics the tanginess and texture without that super fishy smell and taste.
Chickpea “tuna” melts were the star of one of my most popular videos (throwback! see below to watch baby Liv make after school snacks) and for good reason. They’re really yummy! I also have a chickpea tuna recipe in my first cookbook. It’s a hit! What can I say. Oh, and so crazy easy to make. As easy or easier than tuna salad!
This recipe is a fresh take on the recipe because it is packed full of yummy fresh herbs. We never used fresh herbs growing up, because they were expensive and didn’t last long. So now that I grocery shop really often and have so many recipes to use fresh herbs in, I LOVE them. They make every recipe better- honestly!
Perfect for meal prep!
If you love an easy recipe or meal prep idea, you’ll love this one. You can make a batch of the chickpea mix and then use it for sandwiches, melts or even just throw it on a toasted bagel or some crackers and call it a snack. So many ways to use it and its pretty hearty and good for you too. Okay okay, maybe mayo isn’t *the healthiest* food that exists, but it sure is tasty. And pretty necessary for this recipe. Feel free to use store-bought, homemade or any type of flavoured mayo you enjoy. There are sooooo many plant-based mayos on the market now. Its kind of crazy actually!
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Herbed Chickpea “Tuna” Salad Focaccia Sandwiches
- Yield: 4 sandwiches
Description
Chickpea “tuna” salad with fresh herbs, layered between thick slices of fresh focaccia and crisp lettuce. Perfect for meal prep!
Ingredients
- 1 tin (14 oz/398 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed or save the chickpea liquid, called “aquafaba” and use it to make these delicious blondies
- 1/4 cup vegan mayo
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- 1/4 tsp paprika
- 1/4 cup chopped mixed fresh herbs, like chives, parsley, dill, basil, etc
- 8 slices fresh focaccia or fresh bread
- fresh leafy lettuce (optional)
- 4 slices vegan cheese (optional)
Instructions
- Combine the chickpeas and mayo in a large bowl. Using a potato masher or a fork, mash the chickpeas until chunky and only a few whole beans remain. Don’t over mash or it will become mushy.
- Add the pepper, paprika and herbs and stir to combine.
- Spread spoonfuls of the mixture onto 4 slices of bread. Top with a cheese slice and lettuce and the other pieces of bread. Enjoy!
