SESAME-CRUSTED TUNA TATAKI

Sesame-Crusted Tuna Tataki image

Love rare steak? Then try tuna tataki. It's dead simple to make, and coating it with sesame seeds before it cooks gives the exterior a satisfying crunch.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Seafood Recipes

Time 30m

Number Of Ingredients 10

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Ingredients

2 teaspoons vegetable oil, plus more for frying
2 ounces shallots (2 medium), thinly sliced into rounds (2/3 cup)
Kosher salt and coarsely ground pepper
1 pound yellowfin-tuna steak (about 1 inch thick)
2 tablespoons sesame seeds
2 teaspoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger (from a 1/2-inch piece)
1/3 cup thinly sliced shiso leaves (available at Asian groceries and some farmers' markets)
Bonito flakes (optional), and flaky sea salt, such as Jacobsen, for serving

Steps:

For the fried shallots: Heat 1/2 inch oil in a small skillet over medium; attach a deep-fat thermometer to skillet. When oil shimmers and reaches 320 degrees, carefully add half of shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until shallots are just golden and bubbles stop forming rapidly around them, 2 to 3 minutes. (They will darken and crisp as they cool; do not let darken in oil, or they will taste bitter.) Transfer to paper towels, season with salt, and let stand until cool and crisp. Repeat with remaining shallots.
For the fried shallots: Heat 1/2 inch oil in a small skillet over medium; attach a deep-fat thermometer to skillet. When oil shimmers and reaches 320 degrees, carefully add half of shallots. Cook, stirring occasionally with a fork, until shallots are just golden and bubbles stop forming rapidly around them, 2 to 3 minutes. (They will darken and crisp as they cool; do not let darken in oil, or they will taste bitter.) Transfer to paper towels, season with salt, and let stand until cool and crisp. Repeat with remaining shallots.
For the tuna: Pat fish dry. In a small bowl, combine 1 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and sesame seeds. Sprinkle mixture evenly over fish, patting with fingers to adhere; let stand 5 minutes.
Heat a heavy-bottomed skillet (preferably cast iron) over medium-high until very hot and wisps of smoke are visible, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tuna and cook, undisturbed, until bottom is golden brown and releases easily from skillet and fish is opaque about 1/4 inch up sides, about 1 minute. Flip fish and cook on second side about 1 minute more. Transfer to a cutting board; let stand a few minutes.
Meanwhile, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, oil, and ginger for vinaigrette. Slice fish into scant 1/4-inch-thick pieces. Arrange on a platter for sharing or on 4 individual salad plates. To serve, drizzle vinaigrette evenly over fish and sprinkle with shiso, shallots, bonito, and flaky salt.