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Sear-iously Chic and Easy Tuna Salad

YumSugar — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 08:00:57 -0700

When a friend of mine was raving about a tuna salad she'd recently made, I was envisioning old-school mayonnaise and canned tuna. So I got excited when she sent me the recipe and I realized we were dealing with an entirely different type of tuna salad. This version dresses seared fresh tuna in lime, soy, and wasabi powder for a tangy Asian flavor, which gets a creamy boost from diced avocado.The best part? While this recipe sounds fancier and uses more gourmet ingredients than a classic tuna salad, it's just as easy to whip up. I made it one night after work, and the whole process took less than 20 minutes. I don't know what was more jaw-dropping: the simple preparation or the irresistible flavor. The chunky tuna is quite filling, so served over lettuce with some crackers, this is a highly satisfying weeknight dinner. To get the recipe, read more.

Tuna Salad
From Ina Garten

Ingredients

2 pounds very fresh tuna steak, cut 1-inch thick
4 tablespoons olive oil, plus extra for brushing
2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus extra for sprinkling
1/2 teaspoon coarsely ground black pepper, plus extra for sprinkling
2 limes, zest grated
1 teaspoon wasabi powder
6 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (3 limes)
2 teaspoons soy sauce
10 dashes hot sauce (recommended: Tabasco)
1 to 2 ripe Hass avocados, medium diced
1/4 cup minced scallions, white and green parts (2 scallions)
1/4 cup red onion, small diced

Directions

Brush the tuna steaks with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the tuna steaks in a very hot sauté pan and cook for only 1 minute on each side. Set aside on a platter.
Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the olive oil, salt, pepper, lime zest, wasabi, lime juice, soy sauce, and hot sauce. Add the avocados to the vinaigrette.
Cut the tuna in chunks and place it in a large bowl. Add the scallions and red onion and mix well. Pour the vinaigrette mixture over the tuna and carefully mix.

Serves 4.

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Reader's Recipe: Sesame-seared Tuna with Coconut Rice

YumSugar — Tue, 27 Feb 2007 14:57:09 -0800

There are a few dishes out there that, no matter how full I am, I can always seem to find room for more. One of these dishes is tuna, just about any kind of tuna. Be it raw, seared, baked, or grilled, as long as it's tuna I love it. So when I saw that reader WhiplashGirlchild posted a recipe for Sesame-seared tuna with coconut rice I knew it was going to be a winner. To check out the recipe for this and a snow pea salad too, read more

Recipe submitted by reader WhiplashGirlchild

Last night, the boyfriend and I met friends at Jones, my favorite restaurant in Philly.

I ordered one of my favorite dishes there last night, the sesame-seared tuna with coconut rice, snow pea salad and wasabi-sweet soy sauce. They won't share the recipe with me, but I went online and found some very similar recipes. It sounds pretty easy, and I assure you, it's delicious!

TUNA

1/4 cup soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin (Japanese sweet wine)
1 tablespoon honey
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
4 (6 ounce) tuna steaks
1/2 cup sesame seeds
wasabi paste
1 tablespoon olive oil

In a small bowl, stir together the soy sauce, mirin, honey and sesame oil. Divide into two equal parts. Stir the rice vinegar into one part and set aside as a dipping sauce.

Spread the sesame seeds out on a plate. Coat the tuna steaks with the remaining soy sauce mixture, then press into the sesame seeds to coat.

Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until very hot. Place steaks in the pan, and sear for about 30 seconds on each side. Serve with the dipping sauce and wasabi paste.

Source

RICE

Home-style Caribbean fare is often accompanied by coconut rice, a wonderful side dish to temper the heat of spicy food. Pair it with the spicy okra for a simple and satisfying vegetarian meal.

2 cups long-grain rice
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 (13- to 14-oz) can unsweetened coconut milk
1 cup water
1 (3-inch) cinnamon stick
1/4 teaspoon salt

Rinse rice in a sieve under cold running water 2 to 3 minutes, then drain well.

Melt butter in a 2- to 3-quart saucepan over moderately high heat. Add rice and cook, stirring constantly, until it becomes opaque, about 3 minutes.

Stir in coconut milk, water, cinnamon, and salt and bring to a boil.

Reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, 20 minutes, then remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Discard cinnamon stick and fluff rice with a fork.

Makes 8 side-dish servings.

Source

SNOW PEA SALAD

1 pound snow peas, trimmed
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
1 teaspoon sesame oil
3 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon mirin or dry sherry
2 teaspoons white vinegar
2 teaspoons sugar
a few gratings of fresh ginger

Steam the snow peas for NO MORE than 1 minute; then rinse them quickly under cold water and drain them well. Your goal here is to have them seem raw without being obnoxiously so. T

oss the drained snow peas with the toasted sesame seeds.

In a medium bowl, combine the other ingredients and toss the snow peas with them. Let the salad sit for at least 30 minutes before serving at room temperature.

Can also chill for a few hours and serve it cold.

Serves 4-6

Source

Monday's Leftovers: Tuna with Mustard Seed Crust

YumSugar — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 07:45:23 -0700

Before my first attempt to make seared tuna, I was daunted by its sophistication. It wasn't until after that I realized the dish is deceptively foolproof - unlike chicken, you don't have to worry about whether it's cooked through!

Since the outside is seared quickly at high heat and the center of the steak is rare, the fish takes no time to cook. If you prefer more well done tuna, simply increase the cooking time. When searing the tuna in batches, be sure to add another 1 1/2 tablespoons oil for the second round of tuna.

To get the recipe, read more.

Tuna with Mustard Seed Crust
From Martha Stewart

Ingredients

2 one-pound sushi-quality tuna steaks, 1 1/2 inches thick
1/2 cup yellow mustard seeds
1 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more as needed for cooking
1 small bunch arugula, washed
2 lemons, halved

Directions

Using a sharp knife, slice each tuna steak into two long pieces that are about 1 1/2 inches wide. Grind mustard seeds to a coarse powder in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Combine ground seeds with salt and pepper, and spread mixture out on a plate.
Dredge each piece of tuna in the ground mustard mixture, gently pressing the seeds against the tuna so that they adhere.
Place a large skillet over medium heat. Let stand until the skillet feels hot when you place your palm just above it, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil to skillet. Heat oil until it is hot but not smoking, about 1 minute more.
Carefully arrange pieces of tuna in the skillet about 1 inch apart. Sear tuna about 1 minute, until it releases easily from skillet and the seeds are deep golden brown. Continue process until the long sides are seared.
Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna into squares. Arrange on plates with a handful of arugula and half a lemon. Divide remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil among four plates, drizzling it on arugula. Serve immediately.

Serves 4.

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Summer of Salads: Nicoise Salad

YumSugar — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 15:15:02 -0700

Since PartySugar and I have been infatuated with salads this Summer, I thought it would be appropriate to pay homage to the French national holiday today with a specialty native to the Côte D'Azur region of France.

Salade Niçoise, or Niçoise salad, originated in the town of Nice, and is made with boiled new potatoes, steamed haricots verts (baby green beans), boiled eggs, local olives, cured anchovies, and tomatoes, tossed in a Dijon mustard vinaigrette and topped with tuna. I selected a recipe that uses some classic ingredients, but also incorporates a few unconventional flourishes - like seared tuna and caperberries - for a current twist.

It's extremely important to note that the tuna should be removed from the pan immediately after searing - I left it in the pan after turning off the stove, and latent heat nearly cooked the tuna through. Bring a bite of French countryside to your kitchen when you read more

Monday's Leftovers: Seared Tuna With Avocado Salsa Verde

YumSugar — Mon, 04 May 2009 07:50:52 -0700

More often than not, we require Monday night meals that are speedy and effortless - but that doesn't mean dinner has to be boring and tasteless.

Set aside your routine chicken and pasta dishes in favor of a lean, light fish dish that uses leftover tuna steaks, maximizes seasonal ingredients, and cooks in no time. To make a unique and untraditional Monday night meal, read more.

Seared Tuna With Avocado Salsa Verde
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

2/3 cup lightly packed flat-leaf parsley leaves
3 tablespoons drained capers
1 clove garlic, smashed
4 teaspoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon anchovy paste
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil
4 tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick (about 2 pounds in all)
1 avocado, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

Directions

Put the parsley, capers, garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper into a food processor. Pulse to chop, six to eight times. With the machine running, add the 1/2 cup oil in a thin stream to make a coarse puree. Leave the sauce in the food processor and, if necessary, pulse to re-emulsify just before serving.
Heat a grill pan or heavy cast-iron pan over moderately high heat. Rub the tuna steaks all over with the 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Cook the fish for 3 minutes. Turn and cook until done to your taste, 3 to 4 minutes longer for medium rare. To serve, top the tuna steaks with the avocado and drizzle with the sauce.

Serves 4.

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Sunday Dinner: Seared Tuna with Avocado and Salsa Verde

partysugar — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00:05 -0700

Tuna steaks are a delicious and healthier alternative to beef steaks. The meaty fish - that takes well to most seasonings - is filling and easy to cook. In this provocative recipe, tuna is topped with a pungent, Italian style salsa verde and chunks of ripe avocado. The salsa is made like a vinaigrette with fresh parsley, garlic, capers, mustard, and olive oil.

To make this succulent tuna tonight get the recipe and read more.

Seared Tuna with Avocado and Salsa Verde
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

Directions

Put the parsley, capers, garlic, lemon juice, anchovy paste, mustard, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and 1/8 teaspoon of the pepper into a food processor. Pulse to chop, six to eight times.
With the machine running, add the 1/2 cup oil in a thin stream to make a coarse puree. Leave the sauce in the food processor and, if necessary, pulse to re-emulsify just before serving.
Heat a grill pan or heavy cast-iron pan over moderately high heat.
Rub the tuna steaks all over with the 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
Cook the fish for 3 minutes. Turn and cook until done to your taste, 3 to 4 minutes longer for medium rare. To serve, top the tuna steaks with the avocado and drizzle with the sauce.

Serves 4.

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Yummy Links: From Beyonce's Plate to Underground Markets

YumSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 08:00:59 -0800

Who knew: Beyoncé and Jay-Z like to play with their food, too. - Eater NY
Beyond brilliant: A miniature gingerbread house to perch atop your holiday hot chocolate. - Not Martha
This Christmas, consider helping one of these nonprofit food organizations. - Salon
Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc at Home is completely sold out online. - Eat Me Daily
Why dungeness crab season is getting shorter and shorter. - The Atlantic
Wasabi pea crust makes seared tuna feel new again. - Serious Eats
Would you eat Alinea's all-in-one Christmas tree and Christmas goose dinner? - Grub Street LA
What the first-ever underground farmers market looks like. - Chow

'Wich of the Week: Olive and Roasted Ahi Tuna Melt

YumSugar — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 14:30:20 -0700

I could write a whole blog about sandwiches I make with Trader Joe's ingredients, from the Sloppy Jose to the naanwich. Of course, I love leftover sandwiches, so after enjoying TJ's marinated ahi tuna steaks for dinner, I used the extra fish to make a gourmet tuna melt with olives and sprouts. The photos don't do justice to how delicious it was.If you don't have a Trader Joe's near you, don't worry: you can use any leftover ahi tuna steak, roasted, grilled, or seared. Though I spooned on the supermarket's mixed olive bruschetta, a basic tapenade or olive salad will create the same effect. Find out how to melt your leftover tuna into this tasty sandwich when you read more.

Olive and Roasted Ahi Tuna Melt
Original recipe

Ingredients

1 large (1/2 lb) marinated ahi tuna steak, roasted (recommended: Trader Joe's)
4 slices hearty multigrain bread
2 slices Swiss cheese
Dijon mustard, for spreading
3 tablespoons Trader Joe's mixed olive bruschetta or olive tapenade
1 cup alfalfa or clover sprouts

Directions

Heat the broiler on low.

Break the cooked tuna into bite-size chunks, divide in half, and distribute to cover two slices of bread. Top each tuna-covered slice with a slice of Swiss cheese.
Place all four slices of bread on an ovenproof baking sheet and broil for 5 minutes or until cheese is melted.
Coat each bare piece of toast with Dijon mustard, and top each cheese-covered slice with half of the olive mixture.

Divide the sprouts and distribute evenly over the olives. Place the second slice of bread, mustard-side down, over the sprouts. Cut in half and serve.

Makes 2 tuna melts.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Rosemary Tuna With White Beans

partysugar — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 06:50:19 -0700

Tonight, plate up a fiber-rich meal of fish, beans, and greens. In this recipe, ahi tuna is rubbed with a quick homemade rosemary oil before being seared to perfection. Garlicky kale with white beans and cherry tomatoes makes a simple but satisfying side.

Though this dish is healthy, it doesn't lack fresh flavor. If you dislike tuna, substitute chicken breast cutlets or peeled and deveined shrimp. To look at the recipe, please read more.

Rosemary Tuna With White Beans
From Whole Living

Ingredients

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, 1 thinly sliced and 1 minced
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh rosemary
1 pound ahi tuna steak (1 1/2 inches thick)
1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
2 teaspoons fresh thyme leaves, chopped
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
3 to 4 kale leaves, thinly sliced (1 cup)
3/4 cup homemade or low-sodium store-bought chicken stock
2 cups canned cannellini beans, rinsed
1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 1/2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

Directions

Heat 1 tablespoon oil and sliced garlic in a skillet over medium heat. When garlic begins to sizzle, remove and discard. Add rosemary to oil, and immediately pour into a heatproof bowl. Let cool slightly.
Season tuna with 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper. Rub half the rosemary oil over tuna. Let stand 15 minutes.
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until hot. Add tuna, and sear until dark golden brown, about 1 minute per side. Transfer to a plate, and cover loosely with parchment. Let rest.
Heat remaining teaspoon oil in a saucepan over medium heat. Add thyme, red-pepper flakes, and minced garlic, and cook, stirring, 1 minute.
Add kale, and cook 2 minutes. Add stock, and simmer 5 minutes.
Add beans and tomatoes, and simmer 2 minutes. Stir in vinegar and remaining salt and pepper.
Thinly slice tuna. Drizzle rosemary oil over tuna and beans on serving plates.

Serves 4.

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Fast & Easy Dinner: Fresh Tuna Salad with Avocado

partysugar — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 06:45:49 -0700

Give tuna salad a gourmet makeover by using fresh tuna instead of its canned counterpart. In this delicious dinner recipe, the tuna steak is seared in a fennel, black pepper infused olive oil. Grown up ingredients - capers, garlic, and black olives - are stirred into the mayonnaise based dressing.

Served in avocado halves, this salad is rewarding, sophisticated, and scrumptious. Look at the recipe when you read more.

Fresh Tuna Salad with Avocado
From Food and Wine magazine

Ingredients

1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon fennel seeds
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
One 3/4-pound tuna steak, cut 1 inch thick
Salt
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 anchovy fillets, minced
2 tablespoons capers, drained and chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 celery ribs, sliced crosswise 1/8 inch thick
1 small red onion, finely diced
1/3 cup pitted oil-cured black olives, chopped
4 Hass avocados, halved and pitted
Pea shoots or alfalfa sprouts, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the olive oil, fennel seeds and peppercorns and bring to a simmer over moderately low heat.
Season the tuna with salt and add it to the saucepan. Simmer the tuna steak over low heat, turning once, until barely pink in the center, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a plate and scrape off the fennel and peppercorns. Strain and reserve the oil.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, blend the mayonnaise with the minced anchovies, capers, garlic and 1 tablespoon of the fresh lemon juice.
Stir the celery, onion and olives into the dressing. Using a fork, break the tuna into 1-inch pieces, then fold into the dressing. Season with salt.
Set 2 avocado halves on each of 4 plates, skin side down.
Drizzle the avocado flesh with some of the reserved spice-infused olive oil and the remaining 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice.
Spoon about 1/2 cup of the tuna salad into the center of each avocado half. Top the tuna salad with the pea shoots or alfalfa sprouts and serve.

Serves 4.

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