Sesame Crusted Seared Ahi

By á-30

The difficulty with serving Ahi seared is how much cooking is too much? It’s a split second from silky to tough. How to get that great texture, but still get the middle warm? Here’s your recipe….

Ingredients

• 1 Ahi Steak about 3/4″ thick
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• 1 tablespoon of white sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon of black sesame seeds (poppyseeds can also be substituted so long as you don’t have an upcoming drug test!)
• 1 tablespoon of mustard seeds (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Wasabi Aioli
• 1 cup good quality commercial or homemade mayonnaise or Vegenaise
• 1/2 teaspoon wasabi powder mixed with 2 teaspoons water (or to taste)
• 1 teaspoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon chopped chives or scallions
• 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds

Preparation

Step 1

Remove the Ahi from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before you intend to cook it (see #1 under “How Not Screw It Up Below”)
Using your hands, rub the outside of the Ahi with the olive oil to coat it evenly on all sides.
Mix the seeds in a small mixing bowl.
Add the olive-oil coated Ahi and toss to coat it evenly with the seeds.
Heat a saute pan over high heat (See #2 below) until it is very hot.
Add the Ahi. Sear for 1 minute and 30 seconds per side.
Remove the Ahi and slice thinly to serve.