Tuscan Tuna Recipes

TUSCAN STYLE GRILLED TUNA

Steps:

• Rinse and pat tuna steaks dry.
• Place zest on top of cutting board.
• Pile rosemary and parsley leaves on top of zest.
• Pile garlic and some coarse salt and black pepper or grill seasoning on top of herbs. Finely chop the garlic, herbs, and spices. Drizzle the olive oil over the tuna steaks just enough to coat each side.
• Rub herb and garlic mixture into fish, coating pieces evenly on each side. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Grill tuna steaks 6 minutes on each side or 4 minutes on each side, if you prefer pink tuna at the center. Cook steaks over: high setting on indoor electric grill, medium high heat on outdoor gas grill or, 6 inches from hot, prepared charcoal.

TUSCAN TUNA

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender until well-blended but still a little chunky - do not completely puree.
• Chill at least 30 minutes. Several hours or overnight is better.
• Serve in your favorite way - on toasted rolls, tuna melts, on top of greens or whatever floats your boat.

GRILLED TUSCAN TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• For the tuna: Remove the tuna from the refrigerator 20 minutes before grilling. Heat a charcoal or gas grill to high for direct grilling. Mix together the fennel, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
• Brush the tuna with canola oil on both sides and sprinkle with the spice mixture. Grill until charred on both sides and cooked to medium doneness, about 5 minutes per side. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes. Cut into medium dice.
• For the salad dressing: Whisk together the lemon juice, vinegar, mustard, rosemary, anchovies and garlic in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper. Slowly pour in the olive oil while whisking, until it all emulsifies. For a sweeter and thicker texture, whisk in a teaspoon of honey at a time, until desired taste and consistency is reached.
• For the salad: Combine the beans, olives, fennel, onion and tuna in a large bowl. Add the dressing and gently toss to coat. Add the greens, basil and parsley , season with salt and pepper, and toss again.
• For serving: Mound the salad on a platter and sprinkle the remaining lemon juice over the top.

TUNA WITH TUSCAN WHITE BEAN SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the first 6 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk the oil, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Pour over bean mixture; toss to coat. Refrigerate until serving., Brush tuna with oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; place on greased grill rack. Cook, covered, over high heat or broil 3-4 in. from the heat until slightly pink in the center for medium-rare, 3-4 minutes on each side. Serve with salad.

TUSCAN TUNA-AND-BEAN SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare beans:
• Coarsely mash beans with a fork in a bowl, then stir in garlic, lemon juice, oil, parsley, salt, and pepper.
• Make tuna:
• Flake tuna in a bowl with a fork, then stir in basil, olives, celery, onion, oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until combined.
• Assemble sandwiches:
• Spoon one fourth of bean mixture on 1 slice of bread, then top with one fourth of tuna salad, some watercress, and a slice of bread. Make 3 more sandwiches in same manner.

ITALIAN-STYLE TUNA SALAD

Steps:

• Mix olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper together for the dressing.
• Mix bread, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, tuna, olives, and capers together gently. Pour dressing on top and serve.