Searedahitunawithlavenderpeppercrust Recipes

JOHN'S CAJUN TASSO

Steps:

• First, make "1st dry rub" mix by combining all the dry ingredients together in a bowl making sure to break up brown sugar lumps (9TB tender quick, 1/2c brown sugar, 1/4c cayenne, 1/3c black pepper, 1/4c white pepper, 1/4c paprika, 3TB onion pwdr, 1/4c granulated garlic, 2TB celery seed, 2TB mustard powder, 2TB cinnamon). Once that's done, make "wet cure mix" by combining 3 or 4 tbsp of dry rub mix with 1 cup cold water in separate small container with a lid. Cover and shake well to dissolve all dry rub mix in the water. This liquid will be the wet cure that is injected. Set wet cure and remaining dry rub mix aside for now.
• Cut up the meat into roughly 1 pound chunks. This will make it easier to inject the wet cure. After that, slice the meat into roughly 1 or 2 inch wide slices. Inject each piece with the wet-cure (as much as it can hold -- about a syringe-full each). After injection, slice up the chunks and set them into pans.
• Now liberally rub all sides of meat with remaining dry rub, make sure they are coated well. Then place meat in two, one-gallon Ziploc bags along with the left over dry rub mix. Put both bags into a 9x13 roasting pan and into the fridge.
• Now wait for the butt to cure into Tasso. During the next 5 days massage and turn them over every 12 hours. Then we will rinse and smoke our Tasso.
• O.K, it's day 5 and we are ready to smoke. But first we have a couple of steps. We need to make a new, final dry rub (1/4c celery seed, 1/4c sylvias secret seasoning, 1/2c black pepper, 1/4c white pepper, 1/2c brown sugar, 3TB cayenne, 3TB granulated garlic, 1/4c coarse kosher salt). If you are unable to find Sylvia's Secret Seasoning, here is the recipe: 1 Tablespoon of dried basil, 1 Teaspoon dried oregano, 1/2 Teaspoon of dried thyme, 1/4 Teaspoon dried rosemary crumbled. Combine as needed to obtain 1/4 cup. Combine all above ingredients and mix well. Store in airtight container until ready to use.
• Pull the curing meat out of the refrigerator and open the bag. First up is to rinse the cure-rub off the meat. Once all meat is rinsed off, plug the sink and soak them in cold water for 1 hour. During the soaking, change the water 3 times.
• Now it's time for the final rub. Dry each piece on a few layers of paper towels, then rub, and then stack onto a single pan. Start the charcoal for the smoker. Stabilize smoker temp at 225°F The plan is to keep it between 200 degrees and 225 Fahrenheit during the smoke. We want to cook it of course, but also want the drying out effect of the lower temp's.
• After just a bit over 5 hours, the meat should be ready. pull temp's on the pieces, especially the thick ones and call it done once they reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit minimum.
• Transfer meat into three pans to cool down to room temperature maybe 30 minutes or so, then vacuum-sealer went to work. Got 5 bags of 5 pieces each, so I figure there was about a pound, maybe a few ounces less, per bag. This is plenty for a single recipe dish of whatever it is you want to make.

SEARED AHI TUNA WITH SESAME RICE NOODLES

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients with the exception of the tuna and the rice noodles in a glass baking dish or other non-reactive container. After mixing, pour the marinade into the dish and then place the tuna steaks in it and coat. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes to an hour, turning the tuna about half way through.
• Remove tuna from fridge and let stand at room temperature for about 20 minutes or so. Remove tuna from marinade, shaking off any excess marinade and dry on paper towels. Reserve the marinade.
• Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil and remove from heat. Completely immerse the rice noodles in the boiling water and cover for 10 minutes.
• Heat a saute pan or barbecue iron plate over medium-high heat and add 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. The oil should be hot but not smoking.
• Add the tuna to the hot saute or barbecue plate and shake it a bit to make sure the tuna does not stick. Sear for 30 to 40 seconds on both sides. Remove and cover.
• Heat the marinade over medium heat until steaming. Drain the rice noodles add tuna steak and toss with the warmed marinade.
• Garnish with additional fresh cilantro and serve.

AHI TUNA WITH VEGETABLE STIR-FRY

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add cabbage, mushrooms, bok choy, carrot and green onions and stir-fry until vegetables are crisp-tender, about 3 minutes.
• Add 3 tablespoons oyster sauce and 3 tablespoons soy sauce; stir 1 minute to blend flavors.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Transfer vegetable mixture to medium bowl.
• To same skillet (do not clean) add the broth, 1/2 tablespoon oil, remaining 3 tablespoons oyster sauce, remaining 1/2 tablespoon soy sauce, butter and vinegar.
• Boil until sauce thickens, whisking occasionally, about 3 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Keep warm.
• Sprinkle tuna with salt and pepper.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in another large skillet over high heat.
• Add 3 tuna steaks and cook to desired doneness, about 2 minutes per side for medium-rare.
• Transfer to small baking sheet.
• Repeat with remaining tuna.
• Divide vegetables among 6 plates.
• Top with tuna.
• Ladle sauce around tuna.
• Sprinkle with sesame seeds, if desired.

SAVORY PAN-SEARED TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• Mix soy sauce, olive oil, lemon juice, sesame oil, molasses, cayenne pepper, ginger, and garlic together in a bowl.
• Place tuna steaks in a large resealable bag or airtight container; pour marinade over steaks. Marinate steaks at room temperature for 20 minutes.
• Heat a non-stick pan over medium heat. Remove steaks from marinade and arrange in the hot pan; gently shake pan to avoid sticking. Cook approximately 1 1/2 minutes and flip. Cook other side until tuna is desired doneness, 1 to 2 more minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read 140 degrees F (60 degrees C).

SEARED TUNA WITH OLIVES, CAPERS, PEPPERS AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Heat the garlic in the oil over low heat until it turns pale gold, about 15 minutes. Remove garlic with a slotted spoon to a small bowl.
• Increase the heat to med-high and add the red onions. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the tuna strips. Increase the heat to high and quickly sear the fish on all sides, while seasoning it with the basil, oregano, and mint. Cook until the fish is done to your liking, 2 to 5 minutes. Remove fish to a hot platter or warm oven.
• Return the garlic to the skillet. Add the tomatoes, olives, capers, and red pepper flakes. Cook for just a minute, stirring occasionally. Spoon over fish.
• Garnish with the remaining basil and mint.

SEARED AHI TUNA WITH LAVENDER-PEPPER CRUST

Steps:

• If using the center-cut ahi tuna, trim and cut the tuna into a block approximately 2 inches across; then cut into 1-inch steaks.
• Crush the salt, peppercorns, fennel seeds, and lavender with a mortar and pestle or a rolling pin.
• Lightly oil the tuna with 2 teaspoons of the olive oil; evenly coat the tuna with the lavender-pepper mixture, patting off any excess.
• In a heavy bottomed sauté pan or a cast-iron pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Increase the heat to high and place the tuna in the pan.
• Sear for 1 minutes, then turn over carefully, reducing the heat to medium.
• Sear the other side for 1 more minutes until medium rare.
• Remove from heat and immediately refrigerate the tuna for at least 1 hour but no more than 3 hours.
• To serve, arrange the greens on chilled individual serving plates.
• Drizzle with Mustard Seed Dressing.
• Thinly slice the tuna and arrange on top of the dressed greens.
• For the mustard seed dressing:.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Place mustard seeds in a baking pan.
• Place in oven and roast for a couple of minutes (watch carefully so the seeds don't burn).
• Remove from oven and let cool.
• Whisk all the ingredients together and season to taste.