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Sesame Seared Tuna

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 4 minutes
Marinade 40 minutes
Total Time 54 minutes
Servings: 4 servings
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Japanese
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Tuna
  • 1.5 lbs. tuna steaks 2-3 depending upon size
  • 2 tbsp. olive oil
Marinade
  • 2 tbsp. soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp. lime juice about 2 ripe limes
  • 1 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp. chopped garlic
  • ½ tbsp. grated ginger
  • 2 green scallions thinly sliced
  • 1/2 tbsp. honey
  • 2 tbsp. warm water
  • ½-1 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes
Sesame Crust
  • 3 tbsp. sesame seeds toasted
  • ¼ tsp. salt
  • 1/8 tsp ground ginger
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • salt and pepper to taste add after as the pepper will burn at high heat

Method
 

Marinade
  1. In a bowl whisk together all the marinade ingredients
  2. Place the tuna in the bowl and marinade in the refrigerator for 40-60 mins. but no longer than 2 hours as the acid in the lime juice will begin to cook the fish
  3. Make sure to turn the tuna over at least once while marinating
Sesame crust
  1. While the tuna marinates, in a shallow dish or platter combine all crust ingredients together except for the pepper
  2. Once the tuna has marinated, remove it from the bowl and allow the extra marinade to drip off
  3. Press all sides of the tuna into the sesame seed mixture making sure to coat evenly
Cooking Method
  1. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat
  2. Once the pan is heated, add in the 2 tbsp. olive oil
  3. Gently place in the encrusted tuna and sear for 1.5-2 minutes on each side. If the tuna is thicker than 1.5-2 inches you may need to sear for an additional 30 seconds on the edges
  4. Once cooked, remove tuna from pan and allow it to rest for 5 minutes before slicing it against the grain
  5. Serve with sides such as sugar snap peas and rice or topped on a salad

Notes

I enjoy this tuna served topped with spicy mayo and a sweetened soy glaze.