OLIVE OIL POACHED TUNA MELTS

Olive Oil Poached Tuna Melts image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 16

3 cups olive oil
4 to 5 stems fresh thyme
1 lemon
2 large bay leaves
2 large cloves garlic
1 1/2 pounds tuna, such as ahi or yellowtail, 1 inch-thick2 ribs celery, finely chopped or 1/2 small bulb fennel, finely chopped
1/2 red onion, chopped
1 small fresh chile pepper, finely chopped
1/2 small sweet pepper, finely chopped
1/4 cup Nicoise or other pitted black olives
1/4 cup fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
2 to 3 tablespoons capers
2 to 3 tablespoons fresh tarragon, finely chopped
Seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay Seasoning
6 ounces very sharp white Cheddar or Gruyere cheese
Brioche rolls or lobster rolls, split

Steps:

Place the oil, thyme, rind of the lemon peeled into strips, bay leaves and crushed garlic in a pan and bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Then remove the pan from the heat and add the trimmed fish. Let stand 20 minutes. Then remove the fish, reserving the poaching oil, cool and flake.
In a bowl, combine the juice of the lemon with 1/3 cup reserved poaching oil. Whisk to combine and season with salt and pepper. To the dressing, add the celery, onions, hot and sweet peppers, olives, parsley, capers and tarragon. Season the fish with a little seafood seasoning and add to the salad. Combine with the tines of a large fork, cover and store.
To serve, place the rack in the center of the oven and preheat the broiler.
Shred the Cheddar or Gruyere cheese on the large side of a box grater.
Pile the tuna salad on the bottom of the rolls. Top with the cheese. Place both the bottoms and tops under the broiler to toast and melt the cheese, 2 minutes. Serve hot.