Basil Tuna Steaks Recipes

GRILLED TUNA WITH BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat grill to 400 degrees F.
• Wash and pat dry the tuna steaks. Season with salt and pepper and brush both sides with olive oil. Place tuna on hot grill and sear each side for 2 minutes for rare. If you prefer well done, cook the tuna an additional 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and let it rest.
• Into the bowl of a food processor, add the garlic, basil leaves, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until finely chopped. With the blender still running, slowly pour 1/2 cup of olive oil. Check for a thick, yet smooth consistency, adding more oil if necessary. Transfer to a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan.
• Slice the tuna across the grain and on a bias into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a serving plate and drizzle with lemon juice. Sauce tuna with pesto.

BASIL TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• Drizzle both sides of tuna steaks with oil. Sprinkle with the basil, salt and pepper. , Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill tuna, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until slightly pink in the center.

TUNA STEAKS WITH TOMATO AND BASIL RAW SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat a grill pan or indoor/outdoor grill to high. Drizzle extra-virgin olive oil over the tuna steaks spread it around then season with salt and pepper.
• Combine tomatoes, onions, parsley and basil in a bowl. Dress with extra-virgin olive oil, enough to coat the tomatoes evenly, 2 to 3 tablespoons. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper, to taste. Let the sauce marinate at least 10 minutes.
• When you are ready to eat, grill steaks 2 minutes on each side for rare, 3 minutes for medium and 4 for opaque, well done. Stir sauce up then serve liberal amounts of it on top of the steaks.

MARINATED TUNA STEAK

Steps:

• In a large non-reactive dish, mix together the orange juice, soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, garlic, oregano, and pepper. Place the tuna steaks in the marinade and turn to coat. Cover, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
• Preheat grill for high heat.
• Lightly oil grill grate. Cook the tuna steaks for 5 to 6 minutes, then turn and baste with the marinade. Cook for an additional 5 minutes, or to desired doneness. Discard any remaining marinade.

TUNA WITH TOMATO-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, parsley and garlic. Sauté until onion is tender but not brown, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaf. Cover and cook until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm before continuing.) Discard bay leaf. Mix in torn basil. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle tuna with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in another heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tuna and cook until golden and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer tuna to platter. Spoon sauce over tuna. Garnish with basil sprigs.

SAVORY PAN-SEARED TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• Mix soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, sesame oil, molasses, cayenne pepper, ginger, and garlic together in a bowl.
• Place tuna steaks in a large resealable bag or airtight container; pour marinade over steaks. Marinate steaks at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Remove steaks from marinade and arrange in the hot pan; gently shake pan to avoid sticking. Cook approximately 1 1/2 minutes and flip. Cook other side until tuna is desired doneness, 1 to 2 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).

BASIL-TOMATO TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• In a large nonstick skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add the tuna steaks; cook for 3 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Transfer to a broiler pan. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Cover with basil leaves. Top with tomato and cheese. Broil 4-6 in. from the heat for 2 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

TUNA STEAKS WITH GARLIC, TOMATOES, CAPERS, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, basil, and capers. Simmer uncovered until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in another heavy large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Add fish to skillet and cook until light brown at edges but pink in center, about 3 minutes per side. Pour in tomato mixture. Simmer until fish is opaque in center, about 5 minutes longer. Serve fish immediately.

SEARED TUNA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Season tuna generously with salt and pepper. Arrange half of tuna in skillet in a single layer to prevent crowding. Cook, turning once, until golden brown on top and bottom, about 1 1/2 minutes per side (3 minutes total). Tuna should be slightly pink inside. Transfer to a platter. Cover to keep warm. Add another 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and repeat with second batch.
• Wipe out the bottom of the skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until onion is golden brown and soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes and wine, and simmer, stirring often, until the tomatoes' skins just begin to wrinkle, about 2 minutes. Cook at a bare simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes more. Add basil to skillet, and cook, stirring, until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon hot sauce over tuna just before serving.

TUNA STEAKS WITH TOMATOES, CAPERS AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes.
• Add garlic; sauté until golden, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes, basil, and capers.
• Simmer uncovered until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in another heavy large skillet over medium heat.
• Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper.
• Add fish to skillet and cook until light brown at edges but pink in center, about 3 minutes per side.
• Pour in tomato mixture.
• Simmer until fish is opaque in center, about 5 minutes longer.
• Serve fish immediately.

MARINATED BROILED TUNA STEAKS WITH SAUCE NICOISE

Steps:

• Preheat broiler to high or turn on charcoal outdoor grill.
• Place the tuna in a dish and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. Brush both sides with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add the thyme, bay leaves, rosemary and pepper flakes. Cover with plastic wrap and let it stand for 20 minutes.
• Place the tomatoes in boiling water for about 9 seconds. Drain and pull away the skin. Cut and discard the core and chop the tomatoes coarsely.
• Place the remaining olive oil in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. When it's hot, add the fennel, onions and garlic. Cook briefly until wilted. Add the tomatoes, olives, lemon rind, vinegar, salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
• Transfer the mixture into a blender or food processor. Add 3 tablespoons of the basil, then blend for 5 to 7 seconds, taking care that it remain coarse. Transfer the sauce to a saucepan, check for seasoning, reheat briefly. Keep warm.
• If broiling, arrange the tuna steaks on a rack and place under the broiler about 5 inches from the heat source. Broil 4 minutes with the door partly open. Turn the steaks, and, leaving the door open, continue broiling about 3 minutes longer. The steaks should not be overcooked.
• If grilling, place the steaks on a hot grill and cover. Cook for 4 minutes. Turn the fish, cover the grill and continue cooking for about 3 minutes. Serve with the prepared sauce around the fish and sprinkle with the remaining basil.