Sesame Crusted Tuna
with Asian pickled cucumbers / rice
This restaurant-worthy meal features simple flavors that compliment each other perfectly, resulting in a harmonious blend of tastes and textures. It's sure to impress!
Smarts: Ahi tuna is typically served rare or medium rare (bright pink in the center), but feel free to cook it to your liking.
Ingredients
- Cucumbers - 8 oz , sliced
- Vinegar, rice - 1/2 cup
- Sugar - 2 tsp
- Sesame seeds, white (opt) - 1 tsp
- Rice, uncooked white or brown - 1 cup
- Soy sauce, low-sodium - 2 Tbsp
- Vinegar, rice - 1 Tbsp
- Oil, toasted sesame - 1 Tbsp
- Ahi tuna steaks - 1 lb
- Avocados - 1 , sliced
- Oil, cooking - 1 Tbsp
- Sesame seeds, white or black - 2 Tbsp
- Wasabi (opt) - for serving
Prep
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Rice - (Double if making Tuesday’s meal.) For white rice, rinse until clear. Fill a saucepan or Dutch oven (or rice cooker) with rice, water (use 2:1 ratio for water to rice), and some salt. Cover with lid and bring to a boil. Once water boils, stir, lower heat to a low-medium, and cover. Check white rice after ~20 min; brown at ~45 min. Rice is done when it's absorbed all the water. If it's not done, leave the cover on until all water has been absorbed. Take cover off to release steam and fluff with a wooden spoon after 5 minutes. (Can be done up to 5 days ahead)
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Cucumbers - Slice cucumbers. (Can be done up to 3 days ahead)
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Make pickles - (Note: The longer ahead you make the pickles, the more tart and “pickle-y” they’ll be. You can also wait and toss this together 30 minutes before serving if you’d like them to retain their crunch and just be lightly dressed.) Whisk together vinegar (portion for pickles) and sugar. Combine cucumbers and sesame seeds (portion for pickles) in a small bowl or jar. Pour liquid over top. (It’s okay if the cucumbers aren’t completely submerged in liquid, but you want them mostly covered. Add some more rice vinegar if needed.) (Can be done up to 3 days ahead.)
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Season tuna - Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar (portion for tuna), and sesame oil in a shallow bowl or baking dish. Place tuna into the mixture and turn to coat all sides. (Hint: Double the mixture and set aside half before seasoning tuna if you’d like a simple dipping sauce to serve with the tuna.)
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Avocados - Prep as directed.
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Make
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Heat a large skillet with cooking oil over medium heat.
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While skillet is heating up, pour sesame seeds (portion for tuna) into a shallow bowl or baking dish. Press tuna steaks into sesame seeds to coat on both sides.
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Transfer the sesame-coated tuna to heated skillet and sear on both sides (about 2 minutes per side for medium rare, 3 minutes per side for medium).
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When fish is cooked to your liking, transfer to a cutting board and let rest briefly.
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If rice was made ahead, warm it in the microwave (remember to reserve half if doubled).
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Drain the liquid from the cucumbers and give them a stir.
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Slice tuna steaks.
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Serve sliced tuna with rice, cucumbers, and avocados alongside and wasabi (if using) for dipping, or serve everything together, bowl-style. Enjoy!
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