Chickpea Tuna Melt Sandwich! This vegetarian version of the classic diner sandwich makes a fantastic, protein-filled lunch. Made with mashed chickpeas and topped with gooey cheese, no one will miss the tuna in this clever, satisfying knock-off.
This post was sponsored by Dave’s Killer Bread as part of an Influencer Activation for Influence Central and all opinions expressed in my post are my own.
People tend to think that because I work with food for a living, it must be "easy" to feed my family.
Think again.
There are so many factors that make our family's food situation complicated at times -- different schedules, varying diets, food sensitivities, and having a picky 3-year-old who has his own ideas about acceptable options. Throw in the matter of finding products with quality ingredients, attempts at keeping things balanced and accessibility {i.e. not having to go out of my way to a specialty store for availability}, and things can really get convoluted.
Whenever I am able to find a product that we all like, that falls in line with our philosophies and that I can easily restock, I become a big fan. So you can imagine the sheer joy I felt when I came across Dave's Killer Bread at my neighborhood Walmart.
Bread is something we tend to buy weekly. Not only is it on the list of the 5 foods my son likes to eat on repeat, but it also makes for a quick meal or snack whether I'm making avocado toast to start the day or a sandwich at lunchtime to keep me fueled. But as I found out very quickly when I started adding bread to our grocery cart more and more often... not all breads are created equal.
I was so disappointed when I first discovered that many brands contain tons of artificial ingredients and high fructose corn syrup. When I flipped over a bag of Dave's Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds and saw that not only was it USDA organic and Non-GMO project verified, but that it also contained 5g protein, 5g fiber, 250mg Omega-3, and 22g whole grains per slice, I was thrilled. {That might have something to do with it being the #1 selling organic bread in the country.}
The ingredients in Dave's Killer Bread weren't the only things that put them on on my "Mom Approved" radar. It just so happens that they aren't just making a product to help families like mine stock their pantries with wholesome food; they're also doing their part to be good environmental stewards by fostering sustainable agricultural practices and making a difference in the community by giving back to the sick, the homeless, and those in need of "Second Chances." {I love the concept of this program!}
All of the good-doing wouldn't be possible, though, without a delicious product to sell... and I can guarantee that delicious it is! DKB's slices are big and sturdy, and make the perfect vehicle for one of my favorite plant-forward sandwiches: my Chickpea "Tuna" Melt Sandwich.
That's right -- the "tuna" in this tuna melt is actually a salad composed of mashed chickpeas! Since I always have canned chickpeas in my pantry, this is one of those "go-to" lunches that come together super fast and keep me full and fueled. Instead of the usual heavy, all-mayo dressing that can be found in traditional tuna melts, I used a combination of mayo, Greek yogurt and lemon juice to brighten {and lighten!} things up. Dried dill, garlic powder and finely diced red onion lend an additional pop of flavor. A melt wouldn't be legit without a slice of gooey-meltiness on top, so the chickpea mash is crowned with plump, juicy tomato slices and a slice of Muenster, then broiled for just a few minutes forming a blanket of cheese that tops the whole thing. Heavenly!
Dave's Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains and Seeds is hearty enough to hold up to all that filling, yet healthful enough to complement it without derailing plans for a nutritious lunch.
FINALLY... a product that we can all get on board with in my household. Thanks for making something easy!
Chickpea “Tuna” Melt Sandwich
Ingredients
- 4 slices Dave's Killer Bread 21 Whole Grains & Seeds
- 1 {15.5 oz.} can chickpeas rinsed & drained
- 2-3 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Greek yogurt {I used 2%}
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon dried dill weed
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 6 slices Roma tomato
- 2 slices muenster cheese {or your favorite cheese}
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, lightly mash the chickpeas. {They should retain a little texture, so try not to mash them too much.}
- Add the red onion, mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic powder, dill weed and salt to the mashed chickpeas. Stir until fully combined. {If desired, refrigerate for a few hours to let the flavors marry. This isn't necessary but I find that the flavors develop more after it sits for while.}
- When ready to assemble sandwich, set the oven to broil. Toast your bread slices and set them aside.
- Scoop a good amount of the chickpea mixture onto 2 slices of bread. Top with tomato and a slice of cheese on each piece. Place onto a baking sheet and broil for 3-4 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Remove from the oven and top with the second slice of toasted bread. Serve immediately.
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