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The starter, Light and fresh

Sesame crusted seared tuna

Sesame crusted seared tuna is a fresh starter for 6, served with a cucumber salad and a ginger soy sauce. It takes 30 minutes of active work, is mostly prepped in the morning, and needs just a minute of searing per side right before guests arrive. Medium difficulty, about €5.60 per person, success comes down to a very hot pan and sashimi grade tuna.

Sesame crusted seared tuna, crunchy outside and rosy inside, with a cool, crisp cucumber salad.

Sesame crusted seared tuna
For
6 people
Work
30 min
Total time
45 min
Prep
Prepared the same day
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€5.60
Calories per person
310 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

The contrast is the whole point here, a sesame crust that crackles under the fork and a rosy, almost raw tuna center that melts away. The cucumber salad brings freshness and crunch, the ginger soy sauce lifts everything without ever covering up the fish. It is a starter that breaks from the usual lineup, light but full of character.

It fits a summer dinner with friends, when you want a fresh starter that does not demand any last minute scrambling. It also works for a spring family meal, followed by something heartier. Keep the rest of the menu on the lighter side, grilled vegetables or a fish main course, so the freshness set by the starter carries through.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 3 steps
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 5 min
  4. When it's time to serve 1 step

In the morning, make the cucumber salad, mix the ginger soy sauce, and coat the tuna in sesame, then keep everything chilled. Right before guests arrive, sear the tuna for a minute per side and let it cool on a rack. At serving time, slice the tuna and plate it with the salad, the sauce, and fresh cilantro.

The ingredients

6 people

Fish counter

  • Sashimi grade tuna steaks 600 g

Pantry

  • White sesame seeds 4 tbsp
  • Black sesame seeds 4 tbsp
  • Soy sauce 4 tbsp
  • Rice vinegar 2 tbsp
  • Neutral oiloften in the pantry 2 tbsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Cucumbers 2
  • Fresh ginger 15 g
  • Fresh cilantro 0.5 bunch

Allergens Fish, Sesame, Soy, Gluten

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Peel the cucumbers into ribbons with a vegetable peeler, toss them in a bowl with the rice vinegar and a tablespoon of soy sauce, then keep chilled.

    Scoop out the seeds first, the cucumber stays crisp and does not release water.

  2. Mix the remaining soy sauce with the grated ginger to make the serving sauce.

    A drop of lemon juice rounds it out nicely.

  3. Roll the tuna steaks in the white and black sesame mix to coat them well, then wrap and chill.

    Press the sesame on firmly with your palm, it sticks without needing egg or flour.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Heat the oil over high heat in a skillet and sear the tuna for one minute per side, then let it cool on a rack. 5 min

    The pan should be lightly smoking before the tuna goes in, otherwise it cooks through instead of searing.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Slice the tuna thinly with a very sharp knife and plate it with the cucumber salad, the ginger soy sauce, and the cilantro.

    Cut with one clean stroke, no sawing, so the sesame crust stays in place.

Our tips to get it right

  • Pick a thick piece of tuna, at least 3 centimeters, for a real contrast between the seared crust and the rosy center.
  • Take the tuna out of the fridge about ten minutes before searing, it cooks more evenly.
  • Use a thin, very sharp knife to slice, a dull blade crushes the flesh and knocks the sesame loose.

The variations

  • Swap the tuna for very fresh salmon for a milder result, the cooking method stays the same.
  • For a vegetarian version, use firm tofu steaks, well drained, seared the same way in the sesame crust.
  • To save time, buy a pre toasted sesame mix and skip the homemade sauce in favor of plain soy sauce.

What to serve it with

  • Vinegared sushi rice
  • A crisp dry white wine
  • Edamame as a starter bite

Storage

The sesame coated raw tuna keeps up to 4 hours in the fridge before cooking, tightly wrapped. Once seared and sliced, eat it within the hour, freezing is not recommended for a fish meant to be eaten rare.

Questions about this recipe

Can regular tuna replace sashimi grade tuna?

No, you need genuinely fresh sashimi grade tuna since it is eaten rare, almost raw in the center. Regular fishmonger tuna does not guarantee the same freshness or food safety for this preparation.

How do I know the pan is hot enough to sear the tuna?

The pan should be lightly smoking before you add the tuna, that is the sign it is hot enough. If it is not smoking, the tuna cooks through instead of searing and loses its rosy center.

Can this be served as a main course instead of a starter?

Yes, just increase the tuna portions and add vinegared rice to turn it into a full meal. Plan on about 150 grams of tuna per person.

Is the half white half black sesame mix necessary?

No, it is mostly a visual choice for a nice contrast on the crust. You can use only white sesame if that is what you have on hand.

Can a sesame crusted seared tuna be made ahead?

Yes, during the day. The recipe needs 30 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 3 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 1 step.

How long does it take to make a sesame crusted seared tuna?

Allow 45 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 30 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "medium".

How many calories are in a sesame crusted seared tuna?

About 310 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a sesame crusted seared tuna cost?

About €5.60 per person, that's €33.60 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains fish, sesame, soy, gluten. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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