Sesame Crusted Tuna with Blueberry Ponzu Vinaigrette

Give your tuna a burst of fruity flavour with this blueberry vinaigrette and salsa

Credit: BC Blueberry Council

Blueberry vinaigrette and blueberry mango salsa make for a very flavourful tuna dish

Blueberry vinaigrette and blueberry mango salsa make for a very flavourful tuna dish

Give your tuna a burst of fruity flavour with this blueberry ponzu vinaigrette

Makes 4 portions, ¾ cup vinaigrette

Ingredients

Tuna:

  • 4 (5 oz) 564 g  Ahi tuna steaks

Sesame Crust:

  • ¼ cup, 22 g, sesame seeds
  • ½ tsp, 2.5 ml, smoked paprika (optional)
  • ½ tsp, 2.5 ml, salt
  • ½ tsp, 2.5 ml, pepper

Blueberry Ponzu Vinaigrette:

  • ½ cup, 75 g, BC blueberries – fresh or frozen
  • 3 tbsp, 45 ml, Ponzu sauce
  • 1 tbsp, 10 g, shallot, minced
  • 1 tbsp, 15 ml, lime juice
  • 1 tbsp, 10 g, fresh ginger, minced
  • 1 tsp, 15 ml, orange zest
  • 1.5 tsp, 22 ml, orange juice
  • ½ tsp, 2.5 ml, pepper
  • 1 tbsp, 15 ml, grapeseed oil
  • ½ tsp, 5 ml, sesame oil

Blueberry Mango Salsa:

  • 1 cup, 150 g, fresh mango, diced (approximately 1 mango)
  • ½ cup, 75 g, B.C. blueberries – fresh
  • 1 tbsp, 10 g, Jalapeño pepper- fresh, de-seeded
  • 1 tbsp, 15 ml, fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 1 tbsp, 15 ml, fresh lime juice
  • ½ tsp, 2.5 ml, salt
  • ½ tsp, 2.5 ml, pepper
  • 1 cup, 150 g, pea shoots or any green salad

Instructions

  1. Place the blueberries, ponzu, shallot, lime juice, ginger, orange zest, orange juice and pepper in a blender.
  2. Blend on a low speed. While blending, drizzle in the grapeseed and sesame oil until emulsified. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl mix the mango, blueberries, jalapeño, cilantro, lime juice, salt and pepper. Set aside.
  4. Heat a cast iron pan on medium, high heat. (Or heat 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat.)
  5. Place the sesame seeds, salt and pepper in a plate and coat the tuna steaks in the sesame mixture.
  6. Sear the sesame crusted tuna in the pan for approximately 1-3 minutes per side, until rare/medium-rare.
  7. Serve over peas shoots or salad greens. Drizzle the vinaigrette over and top with blueberry mango salsa.

Courtesy of the BC Blueberry Council