Seared Tuna With Sweet Vine Tomatoes And Basil Pesto Recipes

GRILLED TUNA WITH BASIL PESTO

Steps:

• Preheat grill to 400 degrees F.
• Wash and pat dry the tuna steaks. Season with salt and pepper and brush both sides with olive oil. Place tuna on hot grill and sear each side for 2 minutes for rare. If you prefer well done, cook the tuna an additional 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from skillet and let it rest.
• Into the bowl of a food processor, add the garlic, basil leaves, pine nuts, salt, and pepper. Pulse until finely chopped. With the blender still running, slowly pour 1/2 cup of olive oil. Check for a thick, yet smooth consistency, adding more oil if necessary. Transfer to a bowl and stir in 1/2 cup Parmesan.
• Slice the tuna across the grain and on a bias into 1/2-inch thick slices. Place the slices on a serving plate and drizzle with lemon juice. Sauce tuna with pesto.

SEARED TUNA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Season tuna generously with salt and pepper. Arrange half of tuna in skillet in a single layer to prevent crowding. Cook, turning once, until golden brown on top and bottom, about 1 1/2 minutes per side (3 minutes total). Tuna should be slightly pink inside. Transfer to a platter. Cover to keep warm. Add another 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and repeat with second batch.
• Wipe out the bottom of the skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until onion is golden brown and soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes and wine, and simmer, stirring often, until the tomatoes' skins just begin to wrinkle, about 2 minutes. Cook at a bare simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes more. Add basil to skillet, and cook, stirring, until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon hot sauce over tuna just before serving.

SEARED TUNA WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water to a boil and add 3 tablespoons salt. Set up an ice bath. Blanch basil for 2 minutes in boiling water, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. Cool for 2 minutes, drain, then squeeze excess water from basil. Blend basil and 1 cup olive oil in a blender until well mixed. Strain in a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
• Heat cast iron pan over high heat until very hot. Season tuna with salt and pepper. Brush lightly with olive oil. Place steaks in pan and cook until bottom is brown and crusty, about 3 minutes. Flip tuna and cook for 1 minute. (Tuna will be just seared on the outside and raw in the middle.)
• Remove to a plate. Drizzle with basil oil and garnish with lemon juice and zest.

SEARED TUNA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a 12 inch skillet, heat 1/1/2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat.
• Season tuna generously with salt and pepper.
• Arrange half of tuna in a skillet in a single layer to prevent crowding.cook, turning once until golden brown on top and bottom, about 1 1/2 minutes on each side, 3 minutes total.
• Do not over cook.
• Tuna should be slightly pink inside.
• Transfer to a platter.
• Cover to keep warm.
• Add more oil to skillet and cook a second batch.
• Wipe out bottom of skillet.
• Add remaining 2 tablespoons of oil and the onion.
• Cook over medium heat, stirring, until onion is golden brown and soft, 4 to 8 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes and wine, and simmer, stirring often, until the tomato skins start to wrinkle, about 2 minutes.
• Cook at a bare simmer until the sauce starts to thicken slightly, about 5 minutes more.
• Add basil to the skillet, and cook, stirring, until wilted.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon hot sauce over tuna before serving.