Pan Seared Tuna with Citrus-Herb Vinaigrette

Description

A more modern version of Salade Nicoise with an Asian influence that can be eaten as an entree. Salmon, halibut, or snapper also go well in this dish.

Ingredients

  • ½ cup olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • ¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 (6 ounce) fillets ahi (yellowfin) tuna steaks, sushi-grade if possible
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce
  • 1 shallot, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
  • 1 ½ teaspoons fresh thyme
  • 1 ½ teaspoons chopped fresh dill
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • ½ jalapeno or serrano chili pepper, seeded and chopped
  • 1 ½ teaspoons minced ginger
  • ¾ cup olive oil
  • Kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
  • 48 haricots verts (thin, French green beans), trimmed
  • 16 baby carrots, greens trimmed to 1/4-inch
  • 16 grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 16 Nicoise, Gaeta, or Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
  • 1 red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup chervil sprigs

Instructions

  1. Stir together 1/2 cup olive oil
  2. 1 tablespoon parsley
  3. and red pepper flakes. Toss tuna with marinade
  4. and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes.
  5. Pour vinegar
  6. orange juice
  7. lemon juice
  8. lime juice
  9. and soy sauce into the bowl of a blender. Add shallot
  10. 1 tablespoon parsley
  11. thyme
  12. dill
  13. honey
  14. Dijon mustard
  15. jalapeno
  16. and ginger. Blend on high until smooth
  17. then add 3/4 cups olive oil in a slow
  18. steady stream with the blender running. Season to taste with salt and pepper
  19. and set aside.
  20. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Fill another large container with half ice
  21. half cold water
  22. and set aside. Add the haricots verts to the boiling water
  23. and cook until just tender
  24. 35 to 40 seconds. Remove from the water
  25. and immediately plunge into the ice water to cool. Next
  26. blanch the carrots until just tender
  27. about 1 1/2 minutes; chill in ice water until cold.
  28. When the vegetables are cold
  29. remove from the ice water and pat dry. Place into a large bowl
  30. and toss with the halved tomatoes
  31. olives
  32. onion
  33. and chervil; set aside.
  34. Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat until very hot. Remove tuna steaks from marinade
  35. and wipe off excess marinade. Season the tuna to taste with salt and pepper
  36. then sear in hot skillet to desired doneness
  37. about 1 minute per side for rare.
  38. To assemble
  39. toss the vegetable salad with enough dressing to lightly coat. Divide the salad among 4 plates
  40. and place a seared tuna steak on top of each. Drizzle with additional dressing to serve.

Prep Time: 40 mins

Cook Time: 20 mins

Total Time: 1 hr

Servings: 4

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