Cucumber Tuna Boat

I love food ideas with a story so here we go...

It was the first summer of trying to eat more consistently healthier and mostly paleo, and then along comes a camping trip. Oh dear, what do I take? Of course I offered to cook for others so there's the challenge of keeping everyone happy, and there will be other people around so you don't want to be "that guy" that  brings only boring food. Camping just screams "processed food" right? This was going to be a challenge but I set out to give it my best shot, and hopefully make food I would enjoy, and be proud of.  While I was working on the menu, I ran across an idea for Cucumber Tuna Boats, which included an inspiring photo!  I had already perfected my tuna salad recipe, so all that was needed was to add the boat!   

PALEO TUNA SALAD
   1 can albacore tuna
   1/4 cup Olive oil
   1 Tbl Balsamic vinegar
   1 tsp Dijon mustard
   1 Tbl Chives or green onion
   1/2 cup chopped olives
   2 Tbl chopped celery
   6-7 yellow cherry tomatoes, sliced small
   1 tsp capers
   3 large cucumbers. 

Wisk together the olive oil, balsamic, and dijon.  Flake the tuna with a fork, then add the chives, olives, celery, tomatoes, and capers.  Pour the olive oil dressing over tuna mixture and combine.  Most importantly - don't sweat the ingredients! I don't even usually measure these out, but wanted to help you through your initial attempt.  This list is an excellent combination, but if you have red Cherry tomatoes in your garden, use them! Or no onions handy, oh well! It will all come out good. 

Slice the cucumbers longwise, then using a spoon, scoop out the seeds creating a hollowed out "canoe or boat" look to your cucumber. Spoon the tuna mixture into the hollowed out middle portion of the cucumber. Ta-da, a cucumber tuna boat! Now do you want to get really fancy? It's all about presentation right? Let's sprinkle a little paprika on top and a place a couple parsley springs across the top of the tuna, now you have stepped up to gourmet level tuna cucumber boat!  Have you ever heard the saying "People eat with their eyes first?" - I think that is true!!

But wait - I have to finish the story right?  Back to the camping trip, feeling nervous about how my food ideas will be accepted, I present lunch, a Cucumber Tuna Boat. I can't remember what else was served that day, but I can imagine some sliced fruit, maybe a watermelon-blueberry medley on the side? Or apple and orange wedges? Whatever it was, it looked good!  The most memorable part tho was the comments from others who were eating the coveted BBQ'd burgers, hot dogs, and such - "Oh, that looks so good!", "I wish I had that!". This will be remembered for a long time. It is good food! It looked good, it tasted good, and is healthy and nutritious!   

So here's to those attempting to be healthy campers, there are ideas out there so don't be discouraged about your meal planning.  And don't limit this one to just camping, its a perfect dish to serve any day!  

Happy Camping!