Italian Bean & Tuna Salad

Prep: 15 min, plus refrigeration time.

* 11 ounces canned baby lima beans, rinsed, drained
* 11 ounces canned dark red kidney beans, rinsed, drained
* 10 ounces canned Great Northern beans, rinsed, drained
* 5-1/4 cherry tomatoes, cut into fourths
* 1/4 small cucumber, cut lengthwise into halves, seeded, sliced
* 3-1/2 Tbs. green or red bell pepper, chopped
* 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
* 2 Tbs. olive oil
* 1/3 cup tarragon white wine vinegar
* 1 tsp. dried basil leaves
* 2 Tbs. nonfat plain yogurt
* 1 Tbs. lemon juice
* 1/2 tsp. sugar
* 1 Tbs. water
* 2 cloves garlic
* 11 ounces tuna steak, broiled, grilled, or canned white tuna in water, drained
* 5-1/4 large lettuce leaves
* 2-3/4 basil or parsley sprigs

Combine beans, tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, and onion in large bowl. Add the next 8 ingredients (basil vinaigrette) and toss. Refrigerate mixture at least 4 hours for flavors to blend, stirring mixture occasionally. Add tuna to mixture 1 to 2 hours before serving. Spoon salad onto lettuce-lined plate; garnish with basil.

You can make the bean salad one day in advance and refrigerate, adding tuna 1 to 2 hours before serving.

Basil-Onion Tuna Salad Wraps

12 large Romaine Lettuce leaves

1 can tuna (9 oz) (I personally like Tuna packed in Olive Oil)

1/2 cup of Mayo

1/2cup snipped Chives

1/2 cup diced red onions

Salt and pepper

12 (11 x 4 inch) rectangles foil

2 cups fresh basil leaves

2 (6 oz) packages of alfalfa sprouts


Crush the stems of the lettuce leaves so they lie flat. In a small mixing bowl, break the tuna up with a fork and stir in the mayo, chives, and onion. Add salt and pepper to taste. Spread the foil pieces on the countertop. Place a roaine leaf on each square.  Spoon some of the tuna salad on each leaf and top with the basil.  Spoon the remaining tuna salad on top and sprinkle with alfalfa sprouts.  Roll up each leaf like a cigar, and wrap tightly in the foil. Seal the ends and slice in half crosswise.  Use immediately or place inplastic bags and refrigrate until needed.

One Serving: 421 calories-37g Protein- 12g Carb- 25g Fat