Asian Ahi Tuna Panini Recipes

GRILLED MEDITERRANEAN AHI TUNA

Steps:

• 1) Preheat Outside Grill on Medium High setting when you start your prep. Or start your charcoal grill about 30 minutes before you plan to grill tuna.
• 2) Pat tuna steaks with paper towels to remove excess moisture then place in a shallow dish.
• 3) Mix all spices with oil and lemon juice in a small bowl with a fork or wisk. Allow to rest for at least 5 minutes to blend together.
• 4) Brush mixture on both sides of Tuna steaks and allow steaks to rest for another 5 minutes.
• 5) Grill steaks on hot grill 2-5 minutes on each side to attain desired doneness. For well done there should still be some pinkness to the center. Most prefer barely warm red centers. Be Brave, you will be surprised at the flavorful moistness and un-fishyness of this Tuna!
• Overcooking to a uniform color would be a sad waste of a great dish!

GRILLED TUNA STEAKS WITH ASIAN SESAME CRUST

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• In a large zip-top bag, combine the soy sauce, chopped scallions, lemon juice, sesame oil, and fresh ginger. Swish everything around in the bag until it's well combined.
• Add the tuna steaks, turning to coat them completely with the marinade. Press the excess air out of the bag, seal, and marinate in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes. Preheat the grill to high heat; this can be a countertop contact grill, an open grill pan, or an outdoor gas or charcoal grill. If using a contact grill, set to "sear" or the highest temperature setting.
• Place the sesame seeds on a plate or a shallow dish. Remove the tuna steaks from the marinade, brushing the scallions off the steaks; reserve the marinade. One at a time, coat the steaks in sesame seeds on all sides, pressing the seeds onto the steaks so they'll stick.
• Spray the grill plates lightly with nonstick spray and place the steaks on the grill. If using a contact grill, close the cover so the top grill rests evenly on the steaks; do not press down. Grill for about 3 minutes for a rare, pink interior; grill longer if you prefer your tuna cooked through.
• If you are using an open grilling surface, carefully flip the tuna steaks with a pair of tongs after 3 minutes and cook for 3 minutes on the other side. Remove the steaks from the grill and keep warm.
• While the tuna cooks, pour the marinade into a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Mix the cornstarch with the water to create a slurry and add to the saucepan, stirring with a whisk. Simmer for about 3 to 4 minutes, until the sauce thickens.
• To serve, slice the tuna steaks on the diagonal into thin pieces. Fan the slices on a plate and drizzle with the sauce.

5-MINUTE SEARED AHI TUNA

Steps:

• Pat the tuna dry. Sprinkle liberally with kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper on both sides.
• Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium high heat. Add the steak and cook 1 to 2 minutes per side, until lightly browned on the outside but still rare the inside. Slice the tuna against the grain into 1/2 inch slices. Serve immediately.

ASIAN AHI TUNA PANINI

Steps:

• In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and wasabi powder until well blended, then stir in green onion; set aside.
• Rub the tuna steaks with 1 tablespoon of the sesame oil, then sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon of the five-spice powder.
• Let the wasabi mayonnaise and the tuna steaks stand for 15 minutes at room temperature to allow the flavors to blend, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1hour; if refrigerating, return to room temperature before grilling the tuna and assembling the panini.
• Preheat the sandwich grill.
• Arrange the tuna steaks in the grill, close the top plate and cook until seared on the outside and about 1/4 inch into the interior, 8-10 minutes (time may be less, so watch closely).
• Transfer immediately to a plate; leave the grill on and clean the grill plates.
• Place the rolls, cut side down, on a work surface and brush the crust sides with the remaining 1 tablespoon sesame oil, then sprinkle with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon five-spice powder.
• Turn and spread the wasabi mayonnaise on the cut side of each roll, then layer 1 tuna steak, half of the pickled ginger, and half of the watercress over the mayonnaise on the bottom half of each roll.
• Cover with the top halves of the rolls, mayo side down, and press to pack gently.
• Place the panini on the grill, close the top plate, and cook until the bread is golden and toasted, the ginger and tuna are warmed through, and the watercress is just slightly wilted, 2-4 minutes.
• The tuna should not cook much further; place on warmed plates and serve at once.