Seared Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna Steak Recipe
Tuna is truly an amazing food with a number of benefits that contribute
to a healthy lifestyle. Tuna is rich in Omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty
acids and has been known to reduce the risk of heart disease. It is also
low in fat and cholesterol making it a great alternative to beef. Not
only is tuna a powerhouse of nutrition, it is also one of the most
delicious sources of lean protein that you will ever sink your teeth
into.Tuna is also easy to cook. Its a hardy fish and holds together well
on the grill, in the oven, or on the stove top. The following recipe is
one of my favorites and is fairly easy to prepare.I made this particular
dish the other day and it was absolutely wonderful. My wife, who normally
does not eat big portions, cleaned off her plate and wanted more, so that
is a very good sign.The thickness of the tuna steak you use really
depends on how rare you like your tuna. Because you are only searing the
outside of your tuna steak, it will not be in the pan for very long. So
the thicker the steak, the more rare the center will be.I personally do
not like my tuna too rare, so I usually make this recipe with thinner
cuts of tuna. This is just a preference, not a requirement. Many people,
including chefs say the only way to eat tuna is rare. I guess you will
have to be the judge.Let us move on to the recipe shall we?Seared Sesame
Encrusted Ahi Tuna with a Cilantro, Garlic and Lime sauce..I should
mention one thing before we begin this recipe . I do not follow exact
measurements in recipes. I measure everything by eye, so the following
measurements are only to be used as a guide. So don't get too mad at
me!This is optional, but I like to toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan
first before I put them on the tuna. The seeds become nutty and aromatic
when you toast them. This is highly recommended if you have the time and
is quite easy to do. Simply heat a dry pan over medium heat, then add the
seeds shaking the pan occasionally. You may have to do this in batches,
depending on how many seeds you are toasting. You do not want to
overcrowd the pan. Keep an eye on the seeds and make sure they do not
burn. Toast them until they darken a bit and start to become fragrant.
Remove and let them cool before adding them to the tuna.INGREDIENTS:1/4
Cup Black Sesame Seeds
1/4 Cup White Sesame Seeds
1 Tablespoon of Sesame Oil
2 - 6 ounce Ahi (Yellow Fin) Tuna Steaks
Salt and Pepper to TasteMARINADE/ DIPPING SAUCE1/ 2 Cup of Low Sodium Soy
Sauce (Who needs the extra sodium, right?)
1 Lime (Juice and Zest - If you want more lime flavor, add another)
1- 2 Cloves of Garlic Minced
2 Tablespoons of Honey
1 Tablespoon of Sesame Oil
2 Tablespoons of Freshly Chopped Cilantro Leaves1) Prepare the marinade.
Add all marinade ingredients to a small bowl and mix well. Reserve half
of this marinade in a separate container to use as a dipping sauce.2) Get
a glass baking dish or other non-reactive container to marinade the tuna
in. You want the tuna steaks to fit snuggly in the dish so that they are
surrounded nicely with the marinade. Pour the marinade into the dish and
put the tuna steaks in and kind of swirl the marinade around so that you
coat the fish well. Cover with some plastic wrap and refrigerate. Another
option is to pour the marinade in a large zip lock bag, add the tuna, and
then squeeze out the air. Marinade for 30 minutes to an hour, turning the
tuna about half way through.3) Remove tuna from fridge and let stand at
room temperature for about 20 minutes or so.4) Remove tuna from marinade,
shaking off any excess marinade and dry on paper towels.5) Heat a saute
pan over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. The oil should
be hot but not smoking.6) While the pan is heating, arrange your sesame
seeds on a flat dish. Roll the tuna around in the seeds pressing down as
you roll ensuring the seeds are packed into the tuna nicely.7) Add the
tuna to the hot saute pan and shake it a bit to make sure the tuna does
not stick. Sear for 30 to 40 seconds on both sides.8) Remove and serve
with the reserved dipping sauce.For side dishes with this recipe I
usually keep things pretty bland as I don't want anything to compete with
the flavors in the tuna. So I usually prepare a side of steamed green
beans with a bit of butter, salt and pepper or other vegetable along with
some lightly seasoned jasmine or basmati rice.There you have it. I do
hope you enjoy this Seared Sesame Encrusted Ahi Tuna recipe. I am not a
big wine drinker, but for those of you who like a glass or two with
dinner, I heard a nice Pinot Grigio goes quite well with Tuna. Buon
Appetito!