I say the word “copycat” very lightly because I did in fact change up a few things as I always do when I’m recreating a viral recipe, or when I’m putting a new twist on an old time classic. However, I did use the exact same ingredients as the restaurant did since I wanted to get as close to the real thing as possible. A small part of me was a little shocked that I wanted to hop on the bandwagon with everyone else and make my own version of this sandwich because for literally fourteen years of my life I had not taken one bite of tuna or tuna salad of any kind, whatsoever. When I was about thirteen I came down with the stomach flu soon after I ate a tuna salad sandwich and even though I knew in my heart that I most likely didn’t get sick from the fish, I still could not bring myself to eat it. Within the last year or so, I really opened myself back up to it beginning with fresh tuna melts on deliciously crusty bread. As time went on, I started to learn how much I enjoyed having cold tuna salad as well. It has become something I really am fond over, especially for a light lunch or snack when you need a bite to eat and you don’t want to fill yourself, so that you can appreciate a nice dinner out with a girlfriend you haven’t seen in a while. Tuna is for sure my new favorite quick meal so when I saw the viral tunacado sandwich going around, I just new I had to put my Diamond touch on it!

The sandwich from Joe and The Juice is so iconically known for their crunchy cracker-like bread that they serve the tuna on. No one can get their hands on anything identical, although I came up with an incredible alternative. It’s perfect in my opinion considering it adds yet, another layer of flavor which is what this sandwich is all about. It’s simple, but with exquisite taste!

How to build my version of the homemade tunacado:

• Slice some olive fougasse bread straight down the middle. Butter each one of the sides and toast on a pan over medium heat until the bread is as crispy as you’d desire it. Olive fougasse is a cross between sourdough bread and Italian focaccia in taste and texture. The dried olives in this particular bread puts in over the edge! I mean it is unreal how good of a sandwich it can create.
• Spread fresh avocado slices on one side of the toasted bread.
• Spread a generous helping of pesto on the other side of the toasted bread.

• The tuna salad – one pack of tuna. (Be sure to squeeze out all of the water with a paper towel.) A drizzle of yellow mustard, two spoonfuls of your favorite, full fat mayonnaise, a drop of pickle juice, and one chopped up garlic dill pickle, a few capers, and a pinch of minced shallots. Season with sea salt, freshly cracked black pepper, garlic powder, paprika, celery salt, dill, and parsley.

• Two slices of beefsteak tomatoes. Sprinkled with salt and pepper.
• Drizzle with a small, small amount of honey! I swear it just balances out all of the strong flavors and really elevates the dish.

You can dig right in or cut this baby in half!

It is as simple and sensational as that Diamonds!

You can serve this with chips, potato salad, soup, french fries, or a side caesar salad. There are many things to serve this sandwich with as well as many ways to serve this sandwich! You can make this for a family picnic in the park or lunch on a Tuesday. Either way you’re going to love it so so much, especially if you are a tuna lover. You’d never ever think it, but the tuna salad and pesto goes phenomenally. It is a MUST TRY!

Shout out to Joe And The Juice for the wonderful inspiration!

xoxo