A slight spin on traditional seared tuna, this black garlic and sesame crusted tuna takes on all the notes of your favorite sushi roll with center-raw tuna, sweet umami fermented black garlic, nutty sesame seeds, and a hint of spice.
My boyfriend Gabe and I have recently made a commitment to eat healthier. We don’t eat all that badly now, but we want to eat less meat and incorporate more fish into our diets. We’re both not the biggest seafood fans (in fact, he’s allergic to shellfish), but we do absolutely love sushi. And this black garlic and sesame crusted tuna, with its hard sear on the outside and raw center, gives all the same sweet-spicy-umami flavors as your favorite sushi roll. Instead of a smear of wasabi and a dip in soy sauce, the crust is what gives this tuna its flavor. Black garlic plays all the same fermented and deeply umami notes as soy sauce, and a hint of chili flake acts as spice. And the sesame seeds carry a nuttiness and slight sweetness that complements the sweet tuna perfectly.
WHAT IS BLACK GARLIC
Black garlic is simply fermented garlic, made by heating garlic incredibly slowly, over the course of weeks or months. The garlic turns black and takes on a milder, sweeter flavor, with a distinct umami richness. I found diced and ground black garlic in the spice section of Trader Joe’s, perfectly sized to form a crust for this tuna. But if you can’t find it dried and ground, you can use a black garlic paste or spread. Simply spread a thin layer of it onto the tuna before pressing it down into the sesame seeds.
DINNER IN 10 MINUTES
I love this black garlic and sesame crusted tuna not only because it’s a flavor-packed and healthy main course, but because it’s ready in under 10 minutes. The great thing about tuna is that it’s actually better raw (there’s nothing worse than overcooked tuna). And that means that when you do cook it, it should only be for a few minutes. In fact, this tuna is only seared for about a minute on each side, just until the sesame seeds and black garlic are toasted to reveal their optimal flavor. But the preparation and flavors seem really impressive, making this dish one that’s sure to wow your family and friends who don’t realize how simple it really is. It’s so fast you can even make a big batch of it for a crowd.
TIPS AND TRICKS FOR THE PERFECT BLACK GARLIC AND SESAME CRUSTED TUNA
- Pick the highest quality tuna, sushi grade if possible, since it will be raw in the center. Flash frozen and thawed tuna is best as the flash freezing process kills any harmful bacteria.
- Use a super hot (preferably cast iron skillet) to sear the tuna. It only needs to cook about a minute per side, until the sesame seeds are just toasted. This ensures that the tuna doesn’t overcook.
- This tuna is rich and flavorful on its own. You can serve it with a dipping sauce if you like, but I don’t think it needs it. My favorite way to serve it is alongside a simple avocado salad and rice.
A NOTE ON SUSTAINABLE TUNA
With many species of tuna nearing or on the verge of endangerment due to overfishing, it’s always best practice to know where your tuna comes from. Look for pole-and-line caught tuna, and avoid long line and net caught. This reduces both overfishing and the accidental by-catch of other endangered species like sharks, turtles, seabirds and dolphins. Some species of tuna from specific waters are more at risk, such as the Atlantic bluefin, the Indian ocean yellowfin, and the Atlantic bigeye. While some types of bluefin tuna have recently been removed from the endangered list, it is still best to be safe and stay away from most bluefin and bigeye tuna completely.
Look for Atlantic or Pacific yellowfin (ahi) tuna, or Atlantic albacore tuna. If possible, look for fish carrying the MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) seal of approval, to know that it is truly sustainable. And as delicious as this sesame crusted tuna is, it’s best to limit eating tuna to a handful of times per month.
Black Garlic + Sesame Crusted Tuna
Ingredients
- 1 8-12 oz fresh tuna steak cut about 1 inch thick
- 1/4 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup dried ground black garlic**
- 1/4 tsp chili flakes
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp high heat oil, such as avocado or peanut oil
Instructions
- Heat a heavy skillet (preferably cast iron) with the oil over medium high heat.
- Slice the tuna steak in half to make two servings. Add the soy sauce to a shallow bowl and place the tuna steaks in, turning to evenly coat.
- While the tuna sits in the soy sauce, combine sesame seeds, ground black garlic, chili flake and salt on a plate. Remove the tuna from the soy sauce, shaking to remove excess, and press it down into the sesame seed mixture. Use some pressure to make sure that the coating sticks to the fish. Turn the fish to coat both sides and ends with the sesame seed mixture.
- Make sure your skillet is properly heated; the oil should be shimmering and you should be able to feel the heat when you hold your hand over the bottom surface of the skillet (this may take 5-7 minutes). Gently place the crusted tuna steaks in the skillet, pressing down with a spatula. Sear for about a minute, until sesame seeds are just turning golden brown. Flip, and repeat on the other side.
- Slice the tuna with a very sharp knife and serve.
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