Ingredients
Plain or everything bagels. Cream cheese Oil packed tuna Chopped fresh basil and dill Juice from half a lemon Plain Greek yogurt or mayo Black pepper Sharp cheddar cheese Heirloom or regular tomatoes Olive oil Kosher salt and pepper Avocado Fresh arugula (or lettuce or spinach)
I don’t know about you guys, but I love a good bagel. Growing up bagels were a staple around our house; pumpernickel and sesame were my favorites. Oh, and I will forever LOVE those cinnamon crunch bagels from Panera. Oh my gosh, YUM. These melts are obviously not sweet like those cinnamon bagels, but none the less, they are delicious. And super cheesy, which you all know I love just as much as anything sweet! Step by Step Instructions Step One Preheat the broiler to high Toast each bagel half in the toaster and then spread each evenly with cream cheese. In a medium bowl, mix together the tuna, basil, lemon juice and yogurt. Season lightly with pepper. Step Two Divide the tuna among the four bagel halves. Top each bagel with cheddar cheese and one to two fresh tomato slices. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet and place in the oven. Broil for one to two minutes or until the cheese has melted. Watch closely! Step Three Top each melt with a few avocado slices and a handful of arugula and enjoy!
Ok, so real talk? For the last week or so, I’ve been feeling very blah. Just not super exited about the ideas I have, the recipes I’m making, or even the photos I’m taking. For instance I semi despise these smoothie photos (I re-shot this post three times!) and while I don’t mind the photos of these tuna melts, they’re still not my favorite. I kind of like to be really crazy exited about the photos I put on this site. It’s a hard feeling to get through, but as I write this, I know a lot of this is in my head. I’m not really sure why, but I am just feeling like nothing I do is good enough. I’m sure a lot of you know this feeling, and therefore also know that it’s one of the worst feelings ever. I am doing my best to stay positive, but it is hard! I can get this way sometimes when I compare myself to others, which is definitely something I have been doing lately. Normally I’m pretty good at not comparing, or well, I should more say not engaging in that kind of thinking, but my guard has been down all week. All it takes is for one little thing to set off an anxious feeling in my brain and then it’s kind of a downward spiral from there. Anyone else feel the same? I try to keep this space as positive as can be, but I am human, and totally not perfect, so I thought I’d talk out my anxiousness with you guys. I’m curious, how do you handle feeling stressed or down? The good news that I keep telling myself is that this will pass, and to just keep chugging along. Normally all it takes is one good day and I snap outta my funk…okok and maybe some chocolate and giant hugs from the little sister! I mean, of course! 🙂 You see, I already feel better! Talking it out really is the way to go sometimes! Alright, so let’s chat food! Cheesy, carby, comfort food! My favorite!
For real though, these Cheesy Avocado Bagel Tuna Melts are SO GOOD. I’m really not a mayo person…in any which way, so in place of mayo, I spread cream cheese onto a toasted bagel. I also used Greek yogurt in the tuna mix. Promise it’s all incredibly delish. I know cream cheese + tuna melt may not be traditional, but really, it’s pretty freaking awesome. Plus, why only use cheddar cheese when you can use cream cheese too. Hello, TWO cheeses are always better than one! Hehe. What I love about these melts is that they are a great transition food into fall. They use those beautiful late summer tomatoes, that the markets are currently full of, but thanks to all the cheese these melts still feel hearty and comforting . AND, since we ditched the mayo and used super healthy tuna, Greek yogurt, tomatoes, basil, avocado and arugula, these melts should very much be considered a healthy, any time, any day, kind of meal! Um, YES. So are you guys thinking what I’m thinking? Tuna melt dinner night? Maybe even with a blackberry smash on the side? Hey, it is Thursday after all! OH and lastly, these are ready in just about fifteen minutes. Um, totally serious! So you see… any time, any day tuna melt!
Let’s do this… cheesy bagel tuna melts in for the win!
