Tuna Melt with Sweet Pickles

Tuna Melts with Sweet Pickles are the perfect Sunday afternoon comfort snack, made with crunchy pickles, and hot melted cheese on top!

Friends, we had another busy weekend this past week, with out-of-town guests, hiking, biking riding, and kayaking. Summer is the best time in Bend, because the days are hot (and so lovely, with so much to do), and the nights cool way down to the 40’s. We do not have air conditioning in our home, so we’ve learned how to keep the house cool most of the time.

This time we ventured out to explore the lakes. Only 30 minutes from our home, we hiked in to Lucky Lake (where the guys fly fished), and then to Lava Lake. We sat in the front of the Lava Lake store and enjoyed an ice cold beer, and met 2 cyclists on the National cycling team. My husband, being a cyclist, had all sorts of questions for them, and we learned a lot. When they left, they said, thanks for being so friendly! I liked that.

Taking time, in the middle of the day, for an ice cold beer, and a chat with strangers.

We need to do more of this!

We did a lot of walking. And smelling the summer heat. Do you know what I mean, in the forest, during the summertime? You can just smell the heat, as you’re soaking up the Vitamin D.

Finally hiking in to the 3rd lake, Little Lava Lake, while the guys were fly fishing, my friend Laurel and I just laid in the river.

We were at the mouth of the Deschutes, the spillway from Lava Lake, with very clean water.

Our friend Lloyd caught a fish! Oh, happy day!

Of course, it’s catch and release, and my husband was sorely disappointed he did not get one. Fly fishing is fickle. It may be a good day on the water, or maybe not. But you still applaud your friend’s success!

Lately on Sundays we’ve been resting. Where we live, you cannot make noise on a Sunday. There is an ordinance that you cannot use loud power tools. My husband and I have sort of gone back to our roots and, after church on Sundays, we’ve been resting. Or laying low. Being quiet and having a good snack (not cooking a big meal).

What I love about seasons of life is that they change. What is best for us now, in this season, may be different in the fall, when we decide to host some Sunday suppers, or otherwise change things up.

But for now we rest.

Tuna Melt with Sweet Pickles

And eat good food. I grew up on Sundays when we’d eat a light meal for dinner. A big meal for lunch, and a snack for dinner. Many times we’d eat a tuna melt. I love any kind of melt, that gooey cheese that runs over the side of a sandwich. My parents always ordered patty melts (began to be popular in the 1950s) when they went out to eat, which were made with hamburger patties and Thousand Island dressing.

But we like to serve a tuna melt as an open face sandwich, with fresh garden tomatoes.

I was reading online that in England, a Tuna Melt is colloquially known as a Tuna Alex, Tuna Bales or a Tuna James. HA! Love those names!

I don’t think anyone should eat a tuna sandwich without a sweet pickle! YUM!

I’d love to hear how you spend your Sundays?

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Get the Recipe:

Tuna Melt with Sweet Pickles

Prep Time: 10 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Total Time: 15 minutes mins

Yield: 4

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Ingredients

 

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• 2 5- ounce cans chunk light tuna, drained
• 1 medium shallot, minced (2 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise
• 2-3 large sweet pickles, diced
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 2 to matoes, sliced
• 1/2 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, we use Tillamook’s Extra Sharp cheese
• 4 slices whole-wheat bread, toasted (We love Dave’s Killer Bread)

Instructions

 

• Preheat broiler. Combine tuna, shallot, mayonnaise, pickles, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl.
• Spread 1/4 cup of the tuna mixture on each slice of toast; top with tomato slices and 2 tablespoons cheese.
• Place sandwiches on a baking sheet and broil until the cheese is bubbling and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

Author: Sandy / Reluctant Entertainer

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More “melts” to enjoy on a Sunday afternoon:

Patty Melts {The Pioneer Woman}

Crab & Avocado Grilled Cheese {Foodie Crush}

Killer Ham & Cheese Melt {Real Food by Dad}