Thursday Night Menu: Seared Tuna & Pineapple Salsa

Lost my cooking mojo, part deux: Since I wrote about my missing mojo, I managed to cook a horribly dry Oven Fried Chicken while burning both my left arm and 2 fingers on my right hand. This must end. Luckily for you, I wrote this menu before I lost my mojo, so it should be fine. Enjoy it. I’ll be eating cold cereal.

On the board tonight:

1. Seared Ginger Tuna
2. Rice*
3. Mint-Papaya-Pineapple Salsa
4. Tossed Salad
5. Sliced Apples w/Caramel dipping sauce

Seared Ginger Tuna

• 4-4oz tuna steaks
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp fresh minced ginger, or 2 tsp dried
• 2 green onions, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste

skillet

Heat oil in skillet over medium high heat. While pan is preheating, rub tuna with 1 tbsp lemon juice, season with a little salt & pepper. Cook tuna for 1-2 minutes on each side, depending on thickness, and remove from pan. This will cook it rare (it will be cool pink in the center). Remove and place on serving platter. Turn heat down to medium and add remaining lemon juice & the rest of ingredients to pan and cook for 1 minute.  Season with salt and pepper. Pour over tuna and serve immediately.  Serves 4

Mint-Papaya-Pineapple Salsa

• 1 papaya, cut in small cubes
• 8 oz pineapple chunks, canned or fresh
• 1 cup fresh mint – chopped
• 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• chili pepper flakes to taste

serving bowl

Combine all & stir well.  I know it’s called salsa, but it’s a nice fruity side, or serve it over the rice. Serves 4

*Rice:  Change things up a bit and try a different style of rice – Jasmine, Aborio, Basmati or Brown rice, each one brings it’s own flavors.

Shopping List:

• 1 lb tuna steaks
• 1 small fresh ginger root
• 2 green onions
• 1 small white or yellow onion
• 1 papaya
• 8 oz pineapple chunks, canned or fresh
• 1 bunch fresh mint (enough for 1 cup)
• 1 oz white wine vinegar
• 1 cup rice
• Salad fixings of your choice
• 4 apples
• Caramel Dip

Also: olive oil, lemon juice, soy sauce, chili pepper flakes