Seared Tuna Burger

By cserumga

Ingredients

• Sesame Vinegarette:
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 slice peeled ginger, cut 1/2 inch thick
• 1/4 cup mayonnaise
• 2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
• 1 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 Tbsp soy sauce
• 1 Tbsp unseasoned rice vinegar or cider vinegar
• Tuna Burgers:
• 1 large shallot
• 1 3/4 pounds ahi tuna, very cold and cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 Tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 Tbsp Sesame Vinegarette
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Tbsp olive oil, plus more for brushing
• 4 sesame seed buns
• 4 handfuls baby spinach

Details

Servings 4

Preparation

Step 1

To make the vinergatte:
Put the garlic and ginger in the bowl of a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the mayonnaise, sesame oil, lime juice, soy sauce, and vinegar and process until well blended. Scrape the vinegarette into a bowl and set aside until needed. Makes about 1/2 cup.

To make the burgers:
In the same work bowl of the food processor, process the shallot until finely chopped. Add the fish and pulse until roughly chopped.

Scrape the fish into a large bowl and add the cilantro, the 2 tablespoons of vinegarette, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of pepper. Gently knead the ingredients together until evenly mixed. Using your hands, shape the fish into 4 evenly sized burgers about 1 inch thick. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or as long as several hours to allow the flavors to develop.

When ready to cook, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat until very hot or build a medium-high fire in a barbecue. Brush the burgers on both sides with olive oil and season well with salt and pepper.

Cook the burgers, turning once or twice, until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes. Take care not to overcook them. They should be rare to medium-rare. To grill the burgers, oil the rack, and cook the burgers, covered, about 5 minutes, turning once.

As the burgers cook, toast the buns in a toaster oven or under the broiler, about 5 inches from the heat, until lightly toasted.

To build the burgers:

In a medium bowl, toss the spinach with half the reserved vinegarette. Divide the spinach among the bun bottoms. Top with a burger and then spoon a little more vinegarette on top. Cover with the tops of the buns and serve immediately.