Olive Oil Poached Ahi Tuna Mazatlan with Fennel Tarragon Salad

Recipe courtesy of Michael Watz

Show: The Perfect 3

Episode: Fish

Olive Oil Poached Ahi Tuna Mazatlan with Fennel Tarragon Salad

Name: Olive Oil Poached Ahi Tuna Mazatlan with Fennel Tarragon Salad
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT1H20M0.000S
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon kosher salt; 2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest; 2 teaspoons smoked paprika; 1 teaspoon ground black pepper; 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin; Four 8-ounce fresh sushi-grade ahi tuna steaks; 2 quarts olive oil; 4 ounces fennel, thinly sliced; 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley; 6 shallots, slightly crushed; 6 sprigs fresh thyme; 4 sprigs fresh rosemary; 1 cup Fennel Tarragon Salad, for serving, recipe follows; 8 caper berries, for garnish; 8 sprigs fennel fronds, for garnish; 8 kalamata olives, for garnish; 1 1/4 cups Green Tomatillo Verde Sauce, for serving, recipe follows; 3 cups fennel, trimmed, cored and thinly sliced with a mandoline; 1/4 cup roasted red bell peppers, medium dice; 1/4 cup roasted yellow bell peppers, medium dice; 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice; 1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced fresh shallots; 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard; 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest; 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt; 1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper; 1/4 cup olive oil; 3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

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Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 20 min

Prep: 25 min
Inactive: 40 min
Cook: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 1 hr 20 min

Prep: 25 min
Inactive: 40 min
Cook: 15 min

Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

1 tablespoon kosher salt

2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest

2 teaspoons smoked paprika

1 teaspoon ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

Four 8-ounce fresh sushi-grade ahi tuna steaks

2 quarts olive oil

4 ounces fennel, thinly sliced

1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley

6 shallots, slightly crushed

6 sprigs fresh thyme

4 sprigs fresh rosemary

1 cup Fennel Tarragon Salad, for serving, recipe follows

8 caper berries, for garnish

8 sprigs fennel fronds, for garnish

8 kalamata olives, for garnish

1 1/4 cups Green Tomatillo Verde Sauce, for serving, recipe follows

Fennel Tarragon Salad:

3 cups fennel, trimmed, cored and thinly sliced with a mandoline

1/4 cup roasted red bell peppers, medium dice

1/4 cup roasted yellow bell peppers, medium dice

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 tablespoon minced fresh tarragon

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 teaspoons finely diced fresh shallots

1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon ground white pepper

1/4 cup olive oil

3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Green Tomatillo Verde Sauce:

1 1/4 pounds tomatillos, husked

2/3 cup chicken stock

2/3 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/4 cup onion, small dice

1 tablespoon chopped roasted garlic

2 teaspoons lime juice

2 teaspoons kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1 green onion, sliced

1 jalapeno, seeded and sliced

Directions

Combine the salt, lemon zest, paprika, black pepper and cumin in a mixing bowl, and then rub all sides of the ahi tuna generously with the mixture. Place the tuna in a shallow pan, cover with plastic wrap and let marinate in the refrigerator 30 minutes.
Heat the olive oil, fennel, parsley, shallots, thyme and rosemary in a large saucepot over low heat until the oil reaches 160 degrees F. Gently place the tuna into the oil and cook to medium-rare, 6 to 8 minutes. Carefully transfer the tuna to a paper-towel-lined baking sheet using a fish spatula, and let rest in a warm area 2 to 3 minutes.
Slice each ahi steak across the grain into 5 slices using a sharp knife, and then arrange in an overlapping semicircle in the center of 4 plates. Place approximately 1/4 cup of the Fennel Tarragon Salad on top of the tuna on each plate to form a "crown". Garnish each plate with 2 each caper berries, fennel fronds and olives.
Drizzle the Green Tomatillo Verde Sauce around the perimeter and serve immediately.

Fennel Tarragon Salad:

Yield: 3 cups.

Combine the fennel and roasted bell peppers in a mixing bowl. Mix together the lemon juice, tarragon, vinegar, shallots, Dijon, lemon zest, salt and white pepper in another bowl. Add the olive oil in a slow steady stream, whisking constantly until the dressing has thickened. Pour the dressing over the fennel and peppers, tossing lightly to coat. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate to allow the flavors to marry, 30 minutes. Just before serving, gently mix in the pine nuts.

Green Tomatillo Verde Sauce:

Yield: 3 cups.

Place the tomatillos in a pot of boiling water and simmer until soft. Transfer to a food processor with the chicken stock, cilantro, onions, garlic, lime juice, salt, black pepper, green onions and jalapeno and puree.