Gourmet At Home: Asian Ahi Tuna & Wasabi Mash

Marinated Ahi Tuna with a wasabi mash. A simple green bean side to tie the whole dish together. Go gourmet this Valentine’s Day, straight from your home kitchen!

Every relationship has its bonding factors. Aside from playing cards and exercise, my husband and I LOVE food. We often spend most of our time together exploring cuisine; our competitive spirits are sometimes too much to handle in other cases. We cook for almost an hour every evening. In the past, I used to attempt making every item on the plate something gourmet and flavored to the max. About six months ago, I absorbed an interesting trick from Food Network’s Barefoot Contessa. She advised creating at least one simple side to the main act of the meal. Too many culinary personalities can result in a rivaled battle for your taste buds. Similarly, after engaging in tennis matches and cribbage card games, sometimes Scott and I just need to plop down on the couch and watch a mindless sitcom. The forgetful green bean side below may not be something to write home about, but it surely acts as a pleasant bridge between the vibrant characteristics of the Asian fusion.

The most common association I think of with ahi tuna is its undeniable friendship with Asian ingredients. For this marinade, I used the typical players: soy, ginger, sriracha. Similar to any steak, the temperature you cook the meat is completely up to personal preference. I love a medium rare steak for the tender richness it provides. My California roots led me to dress this fish with a simple avocado salsa. Yukon mashed potatoes infused with wasabi and cream accent the soy marinade perfectly. As your palate lingers on the edge of over-satisfaction, take a break with sautéed green beans complemented by a hint of garlic salt.

Sesame Crusted Asian Ahi Tuna – serves 2

• 1/4 cup soy
• 1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
• 1 tbsp sriracha
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds
• 3 tbsp sesame or sunflower oil
• 2 Ahi tuna steaks

Marinate the tuna in the first 3 ingredients (15-60 minutes). Coat the outer edges with sesame seeds. In a skillet over medium high heat, coat with oil and wait until pan is heated. Sear the tuna on both sides for about a minute. To cook thoroughly add a few minutes before flipping and use a lower heat setting.

Avocado Salsa

• 1 avocado diced
• 1 shallot or 1/4 cup red onion diced
• Squeeze of 1 lime
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tbsp cilantro

Mix together all ingredients in a bowl and serve with tuna.

Wasabi Mashed Potatoes

• 4 Yukon gold potatoes peeled and chopped into cubes
• 1-2 tbsp wasabi paste (add to your spice preference)
• 2-3 cups cream, whole milk, or yogurt (can use combo of any to thicken)
• salt to taste
• Chopped chives

Simple Green Bean Side

• Store bought bag of green beans, pre-trimmed
• Garlic salt
• Oil of choice

In a saute pan over medium high heat, cook green beans in oil and toss frequently for about 5 minutes. Cooking over a higher heat will give a crispy edge but keep the beans from getting wilted at the center. Season with salt.

Wine Pairing: Riesling or Gewurtztraminer