Red Quinoa-Crusted Tuna With Smoked Tomato Puree

Serves: 4

Iva Padberg

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

50

Spice

53

Sweetness

58

Sourness

39

mins

Prep time (avg)

6.1

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1

Salt

1 cup

Quinoa (red)

Directions:

1

Special equipment: Outdoor grill, 6-ounces apple wood chips, for smoking Shape a large piece of aluminum foil into a bowl shape

2

Submerge the wood chips in water for at least 15 minutes, then drain them and put them in the foil 'bowl'

3

If you are using a gas grill turn 1 side to high and leave the other side off

4

Put the tomatoes on the side of the grill that is off and put the foil bowl full of wood chips on the heated side

5

Close the lid and smoke for 45 minutes

6

Indoor method: Put the soaked wood chips in the bottom tray of a stovetop smoker

7

Heat over medium-high heat until the chips begin to smoke

8

Put the tomatoes, over the wood chips in the smoking tray, and then cover the smoker

9

Reduce the heat to medium-low and smoke for 15 minutes

10

When the tomatoes are done, put them in a large mixing bowl to cool slightly

11

Peel the skins from the tomatoes and discard

12

Add the tomatoes to a blender and blend on high until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes

13

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat and add the garlic and shallots

14

Saute until softened, about 4 minutes

15

Stir in the tomato puree and simmer until slightly thickened, 20 to 25 minutes

16

Season with salt, and pepper, to taste

17

Let the tomato mixture cool for about 5 minutes, then add it to a blender and mix until smooth

18

Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl and set aside

19

In a coffee grinder, grind the chiles and quinoa into a powder

20

Season the tuna steaks with salt and pepper, to taste, and then toss them in the chile dust

21

In a large heavy bottom skillet over high heat, add 3 tablespoons olive oil and heat until smoking hot

22

Sear all 4 sides of the tuna steaks making sure cooking time is even for all sides, about 30 seconds per side

23

While the grill is still hot, coat the whole scallions with remaining olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, to taste

24

Grill for about 1 minute on each side

25

Indoor method: Char the scallions on a lightly oiled grill pan or under a broiler

26

To serve, spoon some tomato puree onto each serving plate

27

Slice the tuna and arrange on the plates, garnished with grilled scallions