Toasted Fennel Crusted Tuna With Rioja Red Wine Sauce Caramelized Baby Onions And Braised Fennel Recipes

TUNA CRUSTED WITH ALEPPO PEPPERS WITH TANGERINE-GREEN ONION RELISH, MELTED LEEKS AND RED WINE-POMEGRANATE REDUCTION

Steps:

• Season tuna on both sides with salt. Dust 1 side of the tuna with the peppers. Heat oil in a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Sear the tuna, pepper side down, until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes, turn over and continue cooking for 2 minutes for medium-rare doneness.
• To plate, divide the melted leeks onto 4 serving plates. Arrange each tuna steak on top of the melted leeks. Place a tablespoon of the Tangerine-Green Onion Relish on top of the tuna, and drizzle the entire dish with the Red-Wine Pomegranate Reduction.
• Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Place leeks, onion, carrot, celery, and water to cover in a large pot and season with salt and pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook until cooked through, about 20 to 25 minutes. Drain well and thinly slice.
• Heat oil and butter in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add leaks, season with salt and pepper and cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place wine and port in a small saucepan and reduce to 1 cup. Whisk in pomegranate molasses and sugar and taste for sweetness. Whisk in cold butter just before serving and season with salt and pepper, to taste.

FENNEL CRUSTED TUNA

Steps:

• Place toasted seeds, white pepper and salt in spice grinder. Grind to the size of coarse ground pepper. Brush outside of tuna with olive oil. Crust tuna loin with ground spice mixture. Sear tuna in a non-stick pan, using olive oil sparingly, approximately 45 to 60 seconds on all sides. Should be golden brown on the outside and pink in the center. Slice into 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces and serve with papaya salad. Can be stored in the refrigerator tightly wrapped 3 to 4 hours before serving.

SORBETE DE LA RIOJA (LA RIOJA WINE SORBET)

Steps:

• Put the sugar in a saucepan with the cinnamon stick and a scant cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer until the sugar has dissolved completely and the syrup is clear. Remove the cinnamon stick and let the syrup cool. Mix together the sugar syrup, red wine and orange zest. Beat the egg white until soft peaks form, and then fold into the red wine mixture. Transfer the mixture to a metal bowl and place in the freezer for 3 hours. Break up the ice crystals occasionally by whisking with a balloon whisk. Before serving, the sorbet should be whisked again, then divided between chilled glassed. Decorate with mint leaves.
• Variation: The sorbet can also be served in tall glasses, which are then topped up with chilled Spanish sparkling wine (Cava).

TOASTED FENNEL CRUSTED TUNA WITH SAFFRON-RED PEPPER SAUCE AND SPRING VEGETABLE COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Place fennel seeds in a coffee grinder and coarsely grind and place on a large plate. Brush tuna with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Preheat saute pan or grill pan over high heat until smoking. Dredge one side of the tuna in the fennel seeds. Saute, fennel-side down for 2 to 3 minutes until golden brown, turn over and continue cooking for 1 to 2 minutes for rare doneness.
• Heat oil in a medium saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the red peppers, vinegar, water and saffron and bring to a simmer. Cook for 15 to 20 minutes. Place in a blender and blend until smooth, season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the couscous and cook until lightly golden brown. Cover with water and 2 tablespoons of salt. Cook until al dente, drain and place into a large bowl. Heat remaining 3 tablespoons of oil in a large saute pan and saute the vegetables until just cooked through. Add the vegetables and oil to the couscous. Whisk together the soy sauce and harissa and pour over the couscous and mix to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

TUNA STEAKS WITH FENNEL

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a large, heavy nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add the leek and cook, stirring, until leeks are limp, about 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until the mixture is fragrant, 30 seconds to a minute. Add the fennel and a generous pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until it begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Turn the heat to low, cover and cook slowly for 30 to 40 minutes, stirring often. Stir in the lemon juice, taste and adjust seasonings. The mixture should be very soft.
• Meanwhile, season the albacore steaks with salt and pepper and heat the remaining olive oil in another pan over medium-high heat. Sear the albacore steaks for 30 seconds on each side. Place on top of the fennel. Cover the pan, turn the heat down to medium-low and simmer for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the fish is cooked through.
• Sprinkle on the parsley and serve, laying the fish on top of the fennel, with lemon wedges on the side.