A quick recipe for perfectly seared sushi-grade ahi tuna with an Asian-inspired crust.
Author:Kenji Sato
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:4 min
Total Time:14 min
Yield:2 servings
Category:Dinner
Method:Pan-Searing
Cuisine:Asian-Inspired
Diet:Low Fat
Ingredients
Scale
2 (6-ounce) ahi tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
1 tablespoon white sesame seeds
Pinch of black pepper
Instructions
Pat the tuna steaks completely dry with paper towels.
In a small bowl, whisk together the sesame oil, soy sauce, ginger, and garlic. Brush this mixture evenly over all sides of the tuna steaks.
On a plate, mix the black and white sesame seeds. Press each side of the tuna steaks into the seed mixture until well coated.
Heat a heavy skillet (cast iron works well) over high heat until very hot.
Place the crusted tuna steaks in the hot, dry skillet. Sear for 60 to 90 seconds per side for rare (cool, raw center) or up to 2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
Remove the tuna from the skillet and let it rest on a cutting board for 3 minutes.
Slice the tuna against the grain into half-inch thick pieces. Season lightly with black pepper before serving.
Notes
Use only sushi-grade or sashimi-grade tuna for this recipe.
Adjust searing time based on your desired doneness.
Serve immediately with soy sauce or wasabi on the side.