Sesame Crusted Ahi With Ponzu Vinaigrette Food

SESAME-CRUSTED TUNA

Steps:

• In a dry skillet on medium heat, toast the white sesame seeds until they are just beginning to turn light golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and spread seeds on a plate. Add the black sesame seeds to the plate if using, and stir seeds around with fingertips to combine.
• Brush the tuna pieces on all sides with olive oil. Season on all sides with salt and pepper, and dip tuna pieces in the seeds, pressing to coat on all sides. Set aside on a wax foil lined cookie sheet.
• When ready to cook, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil on medium high in the skillet. When oil is hot, add the butter, when the butter foams, add the fish to the skillet. Let cook without moving the fish for about 1 1/2 to 2 minutes, until the sesame crust begins to crisp and brown. When the crust is golden brown, turn the fish and cook until the other side is golden brown and crisp, about another 2 minutes, adding additional butter if needed to keep the fish from sticking and speed up the browning. Once the second side is browned, turn the fish pieces on edge with tongs, to brown the remaining sides.
• Remove from heat and set aside. Fish will be medium rare at this point. If you prefer fish more well done, place the ban with the fish in a 375 degree F oven for another 3 to 5 minutes.
• To serve, slice each portion in half and place on the pasta bed with the edges overlapping. Sprinkle with finishing salt, if desired.

CARPACCIO OF TUNA WITH NICOISE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a medium nonstick skillet, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add the eggplant and cook until tender, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl. Repeat the procedure with the zucchini, using an additional 2 teaspoons oil, and cooking for 2 minutes. Repeat with the fennel, using another 2 teaspoons oil, and cooking for 2 minutes. Cool the vegetables completely. Add the tomatoes, olives, remaining 4 tablespoons oil, the vinegar, thyme, garlic, salt, and pepper and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours.
• For each serving, brush the inside of a large dinner plate with some of the oil. Place 1 tuna slice on the plate and cover with a large piece of strong plastic wrap. Using the flat side of a meat pounder, pound the tuna until it is so thin it covers the inside of the plate. Leaving the plastic wrap intact, refrigerate until ready to serve, up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, carefully peel off the plastic wrap. Brush the tuna with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with the salt. Spoon the vinaigrette over the tuna, spreading it evenly over the surface. Serve immediately.

SEARED SESAME-CRUSTED AHI TUNA

Steps:

• Rinse tuna and pat dry. Place in a prep dish and sprinkle both sides with blackened seasoning. Brush teriyaki sauce on all sides of the tuna to glaze it.
• Mix white and black sesame seeds together in a shallow dish. Dredge tuna in the sesame seeds until all sides are coated.
• Heat oil in a cast iron skillet over high heat until smoking. Arrange tuna in the pan and cook for 30 to 45 seconds. Flip and cook for another 3o to 45 seconds; do not overcook!
• Quickly transfer tuna to a cutting board and cut into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange tuna on individual plates, overlapping slices slightly. Serve immediately.

SESAME-CRUSTED, PAN-SEARED COD WITH ASIAN VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• In a small bowl add ginger, garlic, green onion, cilantro, rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, soy, 1 tablespoon of canola oil. Whisk ingredients together.
• Season Cod with salt and pepper.
• Place sesame seeds on a plate. Pat down top and bottom side of each cod in sesame seeds.
• In a saute pan, over medium-high heat add remaining tablespoon oil. When oil is hot, add cod placing them sesame-crusted side down. Sear for approximately 1 minute, or until sesame seeds brown. Turn and sear on other sesame-crusted side for 1 more minute.
• Spoon vinaigrette on serving plate and place cod on top.

SIMPLE PONZU SALAD DRESSING

Steps:

• Whisk olive oil, rice vinegar, ponzu sauce, honey, and garlic in a small bowl until blended.