Two for Tea...actually just Dinner for Two

This is one of my favorite recipes. I hesitate to put it on my blog, because I hold these cards close to my chest. It has never disappointed anyone...go ahead, ask around. I pull this Tyler Florence Pan-Seared Tuna with Avocado, Soy, Ginger, and Lime recipe out when I want to really impress someone with a fresh, flavorful fare with just a bit of kick. It's really quick and perfect for my friends Maeve and Chris Baughman in D.C.; it takes only 5 minutes to prepare and about 3 minutes to cook and perfect for the two of you. You can pick up everything you need at Whole Foods in one stop. I know that ahi tuna steaks can sometimes be expensive, but a really great option is to get frozen tuna steaks and thaw them in a bowl of warm water (although this does push dinnertime back).

Ingredients:

• leaves from 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
  
• 1 jalapenos, sliced
  
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger (has to be fresh, don't try to substitute!)
  
• 2 garlic cloves, grated
  
• 2 limes, juiced
  
• 1/4 cup soy sauce
  
• a dash of sugar (sorry so small...like 1/16 of a teaspoon- it matters, trust me!)
  
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  
• 1/8 cup plus 1 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 2 (6 ounce) blocks sushi-quality tuna
  
• 1 ripe avocados, halved, pitted, peeled and sliced
  

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the cilantro, jalapeno, ginger, garlic, lime juice, soy sauce, sugar, salt, pepper, and 1/4 cup of olive oil. Stir the ingredients together until well incorporated.
   
2. Place a large skillet over medium-high heat and coat with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season the tuna pieces generously with salt and pepper.
3. Lay the tuna in the hot oil and sear for 1 minute to form a slight crust; flip and sear the other side 1 minute. Pour half of the cilantro mixture into the pan to coat the fish.
4. Transfer the seared tuna to plates and serve with the sliced avocado and the remaining cilantro sauce drizzled over the whole plate.
   

Serving Suggestions:

• Try it over rice or risotto...(Laura recommends a lemon rice).
• For those of you who need a quick fix, Uncle Ben's Ready Rice. It takes only 90 seconds to make.
• It is also great with grilled asparagus or sauteed spinach.

Here is another helpful tool for those of you who are single or a couple. This is a really cool calculator I found that helps make any recipe to the serving size you need...Maeve.