Seared Ahi Tuna
The perfect summer appetizer or addition to healthy salads! Seared ahi tuna is normally seen as something you would need to go to a nice, fancy or refined restaurant on the beach in order to have the dish prepared properly, but that is not the case. YOU CAN EAT THIS ANYWHERE! Try this out at your next summer dinner party, or whenever you need a light healthy protein on your cheat day.
Ingredients:
2 4-5 oz. Ahi Tuna Steaks, thawed from frozen or fresh
2 tsp. Sesame Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Recipe:
1) Make sure your tuna is thawed out, but it does not need to be room temperature. Fresh tuna can be eaten raw, so you are only trying to sear the outside to get some color and impart a new flavor.
2) Heat a skillet to high heat. We like using cast iron, but you can also use a stainless steel pan. Be ready for it to get hot very fast though, so when you start adding the oil and fish, do it with some urgency.
3) Add the sesame oil, followed by the seasoned tuna steaks, to the skillet. We keep it simple, but you are more than welcome to add sesame seed or other seasonings if you would like any of that flavor to be in the crust. Be ready for it to burn quickly though, so avoid anything that you are afraid you might not be able to cook without burning. Or go for it, that’s what cooking is all about!
4) Cook tuna on each side for ~45-60 seconds. The tuna will begin to change colors from the rich raw pink to a seared glistening beige, but make sure you do not get lost in this transformation. It is very important to cook the tuna evenly, so if it is cooked for 45 seconds on one side, make sure it cooks only for 45 seconds on the other. This way you have an even layer of crust to pink tender center.
5) Remove from heat and place on cutting board. Cut against the grain, as best you can, and serve with a sprinkling of your favorite garnish. We love a few sesame seeds, some flaky salt, or a little bit of fresh scallions.
Enjoy!