Tuna With Mustard Seed Crust Food

TUNA WITH MUSTARD SEED CRUST

Steps:

• Using a sharp knife, slice each tuna steak into two long pieces that are about 1 1/2 inches wide. Grind mustard seeds to a coarse powder in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Combine ground seeds with salt and pepper, and spread mixture out on a plate.
• Dredge each piece of tuna in the ground mustard mixture, gently pressing the seeds against the tuna so that they adhere.
• Place a large skillet over medium heat. Let stand until the skillet feels hot when you place your palm just above it, about 1 minute. Add 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil to skillet. Heat oil until it is hot but not smoking, about 1 minute more.
• Carefully arrange pieces of tuna in the skillet about 1 inch apart (it is easiest to cook 2 pieces at a time; if you do so, add 1 1/2 tablespoons oil for second batch). Sear tuna about 1 minute, until it releases easily from skillet and the seeds are deep golden brown. Continue process until the long sides are seared. (The tuna will be very rare in the center. If you want the tuna to be more well done, increase cooking time.)
• Using a sharp knife, slice the tuna into squares. Arrange on plates with a handful of arugula and half a lemon. Divide remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil among four plates, drizzling it on arugula. Serve immediately.

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.

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.

TUNA SANDWICHES WITH "SESAME SEED" CRUST

Steps:

• Remove the crust of each bread and cut each slice in half.
• In a bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients, except the sesame seeds. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• In separate plates, place the regular sesame seeds in one and in another the black sesame seeds.
• Spread a bit of mustard on the edges of the bread (where you removed the crust from) and "bread" them with sesame seeds alternating one slice with black and another with white sesame seeds.
• After you've breaded all the slices you'll use, spread the tuna mixture on one slice and top off with another slice making a "sandwich".
• You can serve over fresh spinach.

SEARED AHI TUNA WITH LAVENDER-PEPPER CRUST

Steps:

• If using the center-cut ahi tuna, trim and cut the tuna into a block approximately 2 inches across; then cut into 1-inch steaks.
• Crush the salt, peppercorns, fennel seeds, and lavender with a mortar and pestle or a rolling pin.
• Lightly oil the tuna with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil; evenly coat the tuna with the lavender-pepper mixture, patting off any excess.
• In a heavy bottomed sauté pan or a cast-iron pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Increase the heat to high and place the tuna in the pan.
• Sear for 1 minutes, then turn over carefully, reducing the heat to medium.
• Sear the other side for 1 more minutes until medium rare.
• Remove from heat and immediately refrigerate the tuna for at least 1 hour but no more than 3 hours.
• To serve, arrange the greens on chilled individual serving plates.
• Drizzle with Mustard Seed Dressing.
• Thinly slice the tuna and arrange on top of the dressed greens.
• For the mustard seed dressing:.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Place mustard seeds in a baking pan.
• Place in oven and roast for a couple of minutes (watch carefully so the seeds don't burn).
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• Whisk all the ingredients together and season to taste.