Hawaiian Glazed Seared Ahi Tuna Recipes

SEARED HAWAIIAN AHI WITH PINEAPPLE RELISH, CRISPY NORI CAKES, TAT SOI AND WASABI AIOLI

Steps:

• Tuna: Heat oil in skillet on stovetop. When the oil is very hot, place tuna in pan and sear for 1 minute on each side leaving the tuna very rare and pink in the center.
• Rice Cakes: Steam rice in a rice cooker according to manufacturers instructions. Place rice in a large mixing bowl and add salt, mirin, nori, and rice wine vinegar. Place the rice on a sheet pan lined with plastic wrap. With damp hands press the rice into the pan. Cover the rice with plastic wrap and continue to press the rice until you have an even thickness of rice on the sheet pan. Cut the rice into 3 by 3-inch squares. Pan-fry the rice cakes until golden brown on both sides over medium heat on stovetop. Each side should take between 2 and 3 minutes to brown.
• Place the salad on each of 4 plates so that it covers the inner plate. Place the fried rice cake in the center of the plate. Smear some wasabi aioli on the cake and add some ginger. Place the sliced tuna on the cake and drizzle the tuna with wasabi aioli, pineapple relish, and sprouts. Garnish with cilantro sprig.
• Optional: Serve salad with sweet potato shoestrings found at specialty markets. Scatter shoestrings over the salad.
• Slice pineapple lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick pieces. Discard pineapple core. Brush both sides of each piece of pineapple lightly with oil and grill both sides. Dice pineapple into 1/4-inch pieces and mix with red bell pepper, ginger, soy sauce, rice wine vinegar and black pepper.
• Mix mayonnaise, wasabi paste, garlic and water in a bowl until smooth.

SEARED AHI TUNA GLAZED WITH WASABI BUTTER

Steps:

• Drizzle sesame oil on both sides of each tuna steaks. Season with salt and pepper.
• Combine remaining ingredients in a small sauce pan. Heat over low heat until butter is melted, stirring constantly to mix and prevent scorching.
• While sauce is heating, heat a heavy frying pan on another burner with high heat. Place tuna in pan and sear until crispy and brown. Turn and sear on the other side.
• Note: Tuna steak fans who like their tuna on the rare side (like me) will usually find 2 minutes searing time is ample. Folks who like their tuna steaks more well-done (like my DH) may want to sear their tuna for 4-5 minutes per side.