Bluefin Tuna Toro Recipes

GRILLED BLUE FIN TUNA

Steps:

• Begin by preparing the vinaigrette. Sweat the red onions in 1 teaspoon olive oil until tender add the golden raisins and the sherry vinegar, bring up to a boil, remove from heat, cover and let cool. To the blender add the mustard, olives, garlic, anchovies and add half the sherry liquid. Pulse to begin and add the remaining sherry liquid slowly. Once all ingredients are homogenous add the 1/2 cup olive oil in a slow and steady stream. Vinaigrette should be emulsified and able to coat the vegetables. Adjust with the fresh ground black pepper; the olives should provide sufficient salt.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan.
• In a 2-quart pot of cold water, add the whole butter, a pinch of salt and the
• potatoes, bring up to a simmer. Cook until fork tender, drain. While still warm slice each potato into 3 equal parts and toss in the vinaigrette. In a pot of salted boiling water blanch and shock the summer beans. Drain and slice down the center to expose the beans inside the pod. Slice the tomatoes lengthwise and hold.
• Ten minutes before plating, lightly coat the tuna in the vinaigrette, before grilling. Cook the tuna to a recommended medium rare. While the tuna is cooking, toss the beans, tomatoes, olives and potato in the vinaigrette. Add, the greens just before plating. Check the seasoning and adjust. In a large bowl arrange a bed of the vegetables. Slice the tuna horizontally, exposing the center. Place in the center along with the white anchovies, sprinkle with sea salt, drizzle with olive oil and enjoy.

BLUEFIN TUNA TARTAR

Steps:

• Tuna:
• Cut tuna into 1/4-inch dice and mix with oil, salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to plate.
• Potatoes:
• Heat oil to 350 degrees F in a large, deep pot that is no more than halfway filled with oil. Add the potato slices and fry until just golden brown, about 30 seconds. Drain on paper towels and season with salt.
• Assembly:
• Make a small free-form pile of tuna on 1 end of each plate. Garnish the plates with caviar, chives, Chive Oil, and a pile of chips.
• Puree chives and oil in a food processor or blender until well blended. Strain through cheesecloth.

GRILLED TUNA BELLY

Steps:

• Prepare a grill or preheat the broiler. With a sharp knife remove the thick skin from the outer side of the tuna belly and the white filament-like skin from the inner side. Sprinkle both sides with the herbes de Provence, 1 teaspoon pepper, salt and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil.
• Put the flat bellies on the rack of a clean, very hot grill, and cook for 2 minutes on one side. Turn, and cook for 1 minute on the other side. Transfer to a 170-degree oven, and let rest for 10 minutes. If a grill is not available, cook the fillets under a broiler 3 to 4 inches from the heat for 2 minutes on each side for rare -- pink in the center -- or longer if you prefer your tuna well done.
• Meanwhile, in a bowl combine the remaining 4 tablespoons of olive oil and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of pepper with the lemon juice.
• Cut the bellies and divide them among six plates. Serve with sauce spooned on top.

BLUEFIN TUNA WITH OLIVE, CUCUMBER, AND CILANTRO RELISH

Steps:

• Using a vegetable peeler, remove half of cucumber peels in alternate strips. Halve cucumbers lengthwise; scoop out and discard seeds, then cut cucumbers into a 1/4-inch dice. In a small bowl, combine cucumbers, olives, and cilantro. Add lemon juice and 1/4 cup oil; season with salt and pepper.
• Season tuna with salt and pepper. Heat a large, heavy skillet (preferably cast-iron) over high. Add 2 tablespoons oil; when it begins to shimmer, add 3 tuna steaks. Sear 1 minute, then flip and cook 30 seconds more. Add 2 tablespoons butter, swirl to melt, and cook 10 seconds more. Transfer fish to a platter, tenting with foil to keep warm. Wipe out skillet and repeat with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, 3 tuna steaks, and 2 tablespoons butter. Serve tuna topped with relish, with lemon wedges and more relish alongside.