Beef Tataki With Ponzu Sauce Food

BEEF TATAKI WITH PONZU SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 500 degrees F. Be sure to let it reach its temperature before roasting the beef. Rub all sides of the beef with the vegetable oil, then rub in the soy sauce, if using, and season with the pepper. Place on a rack over a roasting pan and sear in the hot oven for 15 minutes.
• The internal temperature, in the very center, should be 115 degrees F. Immediately transfer the roasting rack to a tray (to catch the juices; do not keep over the roasting pan or the beef will continue to cook).
• Set in a cool place to stop the cooking as quickly as possible. In a heavy-duty resealable plastic bag large enough to hold the beef, combine the soy sauce, mirin, green onions, garlic, and lemon zest. As soon as the beef is cool enough to handle, transfer to the bag and refrigerate for at least 6 hours and up to 24 hours, turning over occasionally.
• PONZU SAUCE: In a bowl, whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lemon and lime juices, and ginger juice. Keep whisking until the sugar dissolves.
• About 45 minutes before you plan to serve, place the bag in the freezer (this will firm the beef and make it easier to cut even slices). After 20 minutes, remove the beef from the bag and discard the marinade.
• Slice crosswise with a very sharp knife into 1/4-inch slices, keeping them to an even thickness if possible. Fan the slices, overlapping, on a platter and let stand for 10 minutes. Drizzle with the Ponzu sauce and serve.

JAPANESE BEEF TATAKI

Steps:

• Heat a griddle over high heat, or preheat a gas grill to high. Lightly brush the beef with oil and season with salt and pepper. Prepare an ice bath.
• Sear the beef on the griddle or grill on all sides until browned, about 2 minutes per side. Plunge into the ice bath and allow to cool, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Remove the filet and drain well on paper towels, patting the meat dry.
• In a 2-quart saucepan, heat 3/4 inch of oil over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add the garlic and fry until golden and crispy, about 1 minute. Remove with a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towel.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the onion, oil, lemon juice, vinegar, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic until combined.
• In another small bowl, whisk the soy sauce, vinegar, and bonito flakes, if using.
• With a sharp carving knife, thinly slice the beef and arrange on 10 dinner plates. Spoon some of the onion ponzu on top of the beef, then drizzle on some tataki dressing, and top with the garlic chips, scallions, and chives.

TUNA TATAKI WITH PONZU

Steps:

• White Ponzu Sauce, part 1: Into a jar, add bonito flakes and 3 orange slices. Lay kombu on a flat surface and use a damp towel to wipe off the crystallized white salt on both sides. Cut the kombu into smaller pieces, then score in a cross-hatch pattern. Set aside.
• White Ponzu Sauce, part 2: In a small saucepan, add sake and mirin; bring to a boil over high heat. Then add unseasoned ponzu, white soy sauce, and rice vinegar. Return to a simmer; add kombu pieces and turn off heat. Stir to soften kombu; then pour contents of saucepan into the jar with oranges and bonito. Stir to combine, then set aside to cool, 1 hour. Makes about 1 cup White Ponzu Sauce. (Flavor improves after 2-3 days; store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.)
• Tuna Tataki, part 1: Square off the sides of the fillets for a "restaurant-quality" look. (This is optional. Save tuna scraps for another use, such as tartare or a snack over rice.) Cut each fillet in half to create four blocks of tuna. Place on a wire rack fitted into a sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Tuna Tataki, part 2: Preheat a dry skillet over high heat. Drizzle oil over the tuna, about 1½ tablespoons per block. Season each with a pinch of salt, then rub the salt and oil into the tuna, flipping to coat evenly on all sides. Finish with a liberal sprinkling freshly ground pepper on top and bottom. When the pan is smoking hot, add 2 teaspoons of oil. Sear tuna, one piece at a time, for 3 seconds on each side. Chill seared tuna in the refrigerator. (Note: Tuna Tataki can be made a day in advance. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate overnight.)
• Fire-Roasted Peppers, part 1: Turn one or two burners on a gas stove to high heat and lay the peppers directly over the flame. (Alternatively, char peppers on a grill, under a broiler, or with a kitchen torch.) Use tongs to turn peppers until they are charred on all sides. Place peppers in a bowl, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap, and let rest for 15 minutes. (The steam trapped in the bowl will continue cooking the peppers and loosen the skin for easy peeling.)
• Fire-Roasted Peppers, part 2: Remove plastic wrap and place peppers on a work surface. Cut off the top and bottom, then slice open vertically and remove seeds. Lightly scrape your knife across the charred skin to remove; then use a damp paper towel to wipe off any remaining char and seeds. Optional: To remove additional char, dip briefly in water, then pat dry with paper towels. (Note: Peppers can be roasted 1 day ahead. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.)
• Julienne the peppers. Remove and set aside the shallot core (discard or reserve for another use); julienne the shallot. Peel, thinly slice, and julienne the garlic. Cut away ginger peel, slice, and julienne.
• In a skillet over medium-high heat, add sesame oil and spread to cover the pan. Add ginger and stir to coat, then stir in garlic. Cook ginger and garlic until lightly brown and soft, 1 minute. Add shallots, stir, and sweat, 1 minute. Add slightly less than 1 tablespoon fish sauce and stir to incorporate. Let mixture cook until lightly caramelized and sticky, 1-2 minutes. Turn off heat, add peppers and stir, just to warm through and absorb the flavors. Stir in remaining fish sauce, taste, and adjust seasoning if necessary. Transfer to a plate and chill in the refrigerator, 15 minutes.
• Assembly: Strain White Ponzu Sauce into another jar, pressing down on solids to extract all of the liquid. Set aside. Thinly slice scallion on a bias, then the serrano pepper, including seeds. Set aside. In an individual serving bowl, add several tablespoons peppers. Cut 5-6 thin slices (a "nigiri slice") of tuna at an angle, against the grain. (Reserve the corner piece for the chef!) Roll tuna slices like a cigar and place over the peppers in a decorative pile. Garnish with a few scallion and serrano slices. Add 2 tablespoons White Ponzu Sauce over and around the tuna. Assemble remaining plates and serve immediately.