epicureantease

Recently I had a mad craving for Ahi Tuna. Finding it at the market however can be hit and miss. As luck would have it, I found some beautiful Ahi Tuna steaks while strolling thru the seafood department of Whole Foods. With the one steak, I created two delicious and very different meals.

Beautiful Ahi Tuna Steak

The first night I made my traditional “Allison’s Seared Ahi Tuna”. A marinated and seared tuna served over a simple bed of greens (preferably herb greens), avocado and green onions, drizzled with chili or sesame oil and lightly dressed with an Asian Sesame Ginger dressing. This meal is so light and delicious you leave the table pleasantly satisfied.

There are no measurements for this recipe. I “measure” and add everything to taste.

Allison’s Seared Ahi Tuna

Ahi Tuna Steak(s) (sashimi quality)
Soy Sauce
Fresh Garlic, minced
Fresh Ginger, sliced
Fresh Lemon Juice
Chili Oil or Sesame Oil
Canola Oil
Chinese Five Spice

Mix the soy sauce, garlic, ginger, lemon juice and oil in a bowl. Poor over tuna and marinate in the fridge for 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Marinading Ahi Tuna

Heat a skillet on high heat for one minute. Coat the pan with the canola oil and let heat up for 30 to 45 seconds. Dust tuna with Chinese Five Spice, place spiced side of tuna down in skillet, dust side up with Chinese Five Spice. Sear the tuna for a minute
on each side.

Allison's Seared Ahi Tuna over Herb Greens with Avocado and Green Onion

The second night I made Seared Tuna with Avocado at the encouragement of one of my Instagram peeps. This is what I love about social networking sites. The ability to come together with people from all over the world, varying ages and walks of life, people your paths may not have crossed otherwise, to share commonalities with one another. It’s not about (or shouldn’t be about) calling one another out because someone has pissed you off. It’s not about trying to get back at those who have hurt you via pointed and often rude posts. It’s about connecting with old friends. Making new friends. It’s about sharing your interests and passions with others who share the same passions and interests. This recipe was absolutely ahh-maa-zing! AMAZING! This recipe is a must try for all Ahi Tuna lovers!!

Cooking for one, I cut this recipe down significantly.

Seared Tuna with Avocado (courtesy Simply Recipes)

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
2 jalapeno chiles, seeded, de-ribbed, minced (if very hot, use only 1 chile)
2 tablespoons of peeled and minced fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice (from 2 to 4 limes, depending on how juicy your limes are)
1/3 cup soy sauce
1-2 tablespoons sugar
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons grape-seed or canola oil
4 (6 ounce) blocks sashimi-quality tuna
2 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced

In a bowl, combine the cilantro, jalapeno, ginger, garlic, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, salt, sesame oil and olive oil. If you want, you can puree the sauce in a blender or food processor.

Heat a large skillet on high heat for one minute. Coat the pan with the grape-seed or canola oil and let heat up for 30 to 45 seconds. Sprinkle the tuna pieces with salt. Sear the tuna for a minute on each side.

Transfer the seared tuna to a bowl and coat with some of the sauce. Pour some sauce on the plates, top with the tuna and serve with the sliced avocado and a wedge of lime.

Seared Ahi Tuna with Avocado