Heirloom Tuna

Today was not an easy day for me.

Yes, I was off of work, and yes, I slept an extra hour… but I woke up with the realization that, 3 years ago, I was off on this same Jewish holiday and took my grandma and her friend to Yom Kippur services. That following January, she passed away. While Yom Kippur is a day for atonement, as long as I can remember, it was a sad day. There’s an entire service dedicated to those who have died, and for the last two years, it was very difficult to add my grandma to that list.

I didn’t fast completely, as I “should’ve” done according to Jewish law. Rather, I ate small meals, just enough to keep me from killing the people around me. It apparently wasn’t enough to stave off the migraine I’m now nursing, but it was enough to keep my mood a bit lighter. I didn’t end up going to services at synagogue, but I did sit in my bedroom and read the entire memorial service from my prayer book.

Back to grandma… for as long as I can remember, we “broke the fast” at my grandma’s house, and there were a few dishes that were always on the menu: grandma’s special tuna salad, tabbouleh, egg salad, bialys, and banana-chocolate cake. Oh, and Canfield’s Chocolate Fudge Soda. I decided this year, I would be making grandma’s tuna to break my “fast.” It took me many years to truly like it because of the complex flavors, but now? Now I love the stuff.

I ate it with a toasted English muffin since bialys are nowhere to be found anywhere in my neighborhood, and I had the soda too:


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The recipe, for each LARGE can of tuna:
  • 1 large can white tuna in water, drained
  • 1/4 red onion, finely diced
  • 1 rib celery, chopped small
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh dill, chopped
  • 1/2 c. fat free cottage cheese
  • 1 Tbsp. mayo (I used Smart Balance)
  • 1 Tbsp. capers, drained
  • 1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
  • salt and pepper to taste

Mix all the ingredients together and allow to chill for a couple hours before serving to allow flavors to meld.

Just the smell of the red onion and dill brought tears to my eyes, and once I served myself and ate, I was oddly comforted. I’ll be enjoying this tuna for lunches for the rest of the week, and smile, knowing that grandma, somewhere, is proud of me. I know she’s around… a mysterious flower popped up in my mom’s garden today, a cat in the neighborhood showed back up after not showing her face for 2 years… she’s around…

The screen is swimming as I keep tearing up, so I’m going to call this a night… have a great Tuesday all!




P.S. Is anyone out there interested in being a Guest for Dinner? I’d love to start a weekly Guest Post! Check out the page for examples of what I’m looking for, and send an email to mara@imadedinner.net if you’re interested!

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