Tuna Salad with Japanese Flavors

I love Tuna Salad with Rice Crackers for lunch and today I decided to change it up a little. I made my Tuna Salad with Gobo (Yamagobo - Pickled Burdock Root shown below) and Scallions. I bought the Gobo at Uwajimaya and if you can't find it, you can substitute Carrot, lightly and quickly pickled with Rice Wine Vinegar in the Vietnamese style (recipe below). I made a dressing that tastes a lot like a mild version of the Dynamite Sauce that is used in Sushi Bars and it was wonderful! The trick is to use Kewpie Mayonnaise if you can, and if you can't find it, you can substitute Best Foods (Hellmans) but be sure to add a bit of sugar. The secret is to add in some Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce and a bit of Tamari too. I served it with Rice Crackers and I think it would be a wonderful dip for a party. I loved it as a light lunch.  Either way, it is delicious!

Tuna Salad with Japanese Flavors

2 6 oz cans of Tuna packed in water, drained

4 Gobo Roots cut into small pieces ( or use lightly pickled carrots - see below)

3 Scallions, root ends cut off and cut into small pieces

1/2 cup Kewpie Mayonnaise (or use Best Foods with 1/2 teaspoon of Sugar added)

1 Tablespoon or more Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce

1 teaspoon Tamari

2 teaspoons Black or White Sesame Seeds for garnish

Mix together the Mayonnaise, Sriracha and Tamari.  Put Tuna, Gobo Roots and Scallions into a bowl. Blend in the Mayonnaise mixture and sprinkle the Sesame Seeds on top. Serve with Rice Crackers.

Quick Pickled Carrots Vietnamese Style

2 small Carrots, peeled and cut into small dice

1/2 cup very Warm Water

1 1/2 Tablespoon Rice Vinegar

1 teaspoon Salt

Mix together Pickling Mixture in a bowl, add in the Carrot pieces and marinate for 30 minutes.  Drain and add to tuna mixture.

Five Element Analysis

Tuna belongs to the Water Element as does all fish so that element is covered and the small amount of Tamari and Sesame Seeds add even more. The Wood Element is represented by the pickled Gobo - Burdock Root or Carrots although they both adds Earth as well. The Fire Element is brought in by the Sriracha or Chili Garlic Sauce and the Mayonnaise and Scallions add the Metal Element and Rice Crackers add even more. This dish then represents all Five Elements, although the Earth Element is weak so be sure to add something Earthy to go along with it or eat something sweet after.