A flavor combination Stewart loves
Martha Stewart's tuna recipe is bursting with rich umami flavors—not just from the tuna itself. She incorporates a few tablespoons of chopped basil, mayonnaise, and freshly cracked pepper. (Interestingly, basil is one of the top ingredients for elevating tuna dishes, so Ms. Stewart earns extra flavor points here.)
Her sandwich recipe also includes a medley of sour and salty notes, such as lemon, celery, and the sourdough bread she recommends for this dish. In fact, salt is a crucial element in crafting a great sourdough bread. Salty or sour flavors stimulate saliva production in the mouth, enhancing the overall taste of the food. It’s no surprise that Stewart includes a whole apple—preferably McIntosh or Gala—in the recipe. The apple plays a vital role in balancing the diverse flavors and amplifying their deliciousness. If the tuna ends up being a bit too fishy, the natural sugars in the apples come to the rescue. You can't underestimate the impact of apple sugar in this dish.
Martha Stewart's love for sweet and savory flavor pairings extends beyond this sandwich. Her website showcases numerous recipes that feature these delightful combinations, many of which include apples. Some of these dishes are Brussels sprouts with bacon and apple, apple-butternut squash soup, and a refreshing kale and apple salad.
Bring in even more sweet crunch to the tuna recipe
If you're preparing lunch with Ms. Stewart, so to speak, you can't go wrong with this tuna sandwich. It's delicious on its own and pairs wonderfully with a simple soup, such as a creamy roasted tomato variety. Moreover, tuna salad is quite adaptable, allowing you to modify or enhance Martha Stewart's recipe as you see fit. Even a recipe as outstanding as Stewart's can benefit from a little tweaking now and then.
If you're interested in trying her recipe but want to elevate the tuna salad with some crunchy sweetness, consider adding red or yellow bell peppers, sweet red onions, fresh corn kernels, or even crisp red grapes. Swapping a cinnamon raisin bagel for the sourdough will increase the sweetness factor. And speaking of raisins, they would also contribute a delightful burst of sweetness inside the sandwich.
For a crunchy element without the sweetness, you might try crushed walnuts or salted sunflower seeds. Walnuts, in particular, would give the tuna sandwich a flavor profile reminiscent of Waldorf salad, especially since Stewart's tuna salad includes apples and celery, two essential ingredients in the classic apple salad. The only thing missing from this Waldorf-inspired sandwich would be the chopped chicken. However, since tuna is often referred to as the chicken of the sea, you probably won't mind the substitution at all.
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