There are many things that you think you have to give up to become vegan. One staple that I just loved for lunch was a tuna sandwich. I thought that went out with my filet mignon and scrambled eggs. That is, until I picked up a copy of a recipe book, “The Blissful Chef.”

There, I found something called the Un-Tuna Sandwich. Some cooks call them chickpea sandwiches. In the book, the author claimed it tasted like a tuna sandwich. I had to find out for myself.

First thing I found out was that chickpea and garbanzo beans are the same thing. Who would have thought? I have to be honest; it didn’t taste just like a tuna sandwich, but it was pretty close. It was so good, I wanted two. Not only are they delicious, they’re very healthy for you.

Garbanzo beans or chickpeas are members of the legume family and very high in fiber. The beans also help lower your cholesterol.

Tastes good and good for you? What’s not to like?

This is another opportunity to try the vegan mayonnaise. It is basically egg-free, cholesterol-free mayonnaise.

Try toasting some bread and, using some vegan cheese, you can make it into an Un-Tuna Melt. You won’t be disappointed.

UN-TUNA SANDWICH

2 cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

1 cup of celery, diced

1 medium carrot, grated

¼ cup vegan mayonnaise

2 tablespoons of relish or dill pickle, chopped fine

1 tablespoon yellow mustard

1 tablespoon tamari

1 tablespoon kelp granules

Drain and rinse beans and place in medium bowl. Mash the beans and combine with the rest of ingredients until mixed well. Add sea salt as necessary. Serve with rice crackers, as a sandwich or wrapped in a tortilla.

 

Jeff Peterson anchors the 5 a.m. and 5 p.m. news on WGME-TV and is a vegan.