Friday, June 24, 2011

Seared Tuna Dinner

Linguine with Seared Tuna and Green-Olive Tapenade

Tuna is one of my favorite dishes and so good for you.

From Food & Wine

Small pitted green olives, the bottled martini type, are transformed into a savory sauce in next to no time. We like the tuna rare, but if you prefer it well done, cook it a few minutes longer.



Nutritional Information
(per serving)
Calories0
Total Fat0
Saturated Fat0
Cholesterol0
Sodium0
Total Carbohydrate0
Dietary Fiber--
Sugars--
Protein26g
Calcium0
linguine-seared-tuna-green-olive-tapenade-recipe-7795
Serves: 4

Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup(s) pitted green olives
  • 1/3 cup(s) lightly packed flat-leaf parsley, with thick stems removed
  • 1 clove garlic, smashed
  • 1/2 teaspoon(s) anchovy paste
  • 7 tablespoon(s) olive oil
  • 1 1/2 teaspoon(s) lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon(s) salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon(s) fresh-ground black pepper
  • 1 pound(s) tuna steak, about 2 inches thick cut into 3-inch squares
  • 3/4 pound(s) linguine

Directions
  1. In a food processor or blender, pulse the olives, parsley, and garlic to a coarse puree with the anchovy paste, 6 tablespoons of the olive oil, the lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper. Put three-quarters of the mixture in a large bowl.
  2. Heat a grill pan or heavy frying pan over moderate heat. Coat the tuna with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil and season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Remove the tuna. Let sit for 3 minutes. The fish will be rare. Cut it into 1/4-inch slices.
  3. In a large pot of boiling, salted water, cook the linguine until just done, about 12 minutes. Reserve about 1/2 cup of the pasta water. Drain the linguine, add it and 1/4 cup of the reserved pasta water to the bowl with the olive mixture, and toss. If the sauce seems too thick, add more of the reserved pasta water. Mound the pasta on plates and top with the tuna. Spoon the remaining olive mixture on top.
  4. Wine Recommendation: The richness of the tuna and the saltiness of the tapenade are delightful accompanied by a light, fruity red like a Côtes du Rhône from Southern France or a barbera from Italy.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

June is National Fruits and Vegetables Month

Every single month of the year has a "National _______ Month" designation. I think every day celebrates something. June has a few celebrations, and National Fruit and Vegetable Month is one of them.
Of course, you should eat a lot of fruit and vegetables all year round, but if one month can get you going, then it's a good thing. June is usually the month when I start to eat more salads and apples and oranges anyway, as I'm sure it is with a lot of people, so it's good timing.
And if you insist on eating a whole pizza tonight, at least put some mushrooms and onions.