Seared tuna and warm green salad

Chef Sam Gowing prepares freshly caught, local tuna.
Pic ©BradWagnerPhotography 

I’ve been craving sashimi flat out.  I’m like fish mad at the moment and it’s a tricky one because there are so many conflicting ideas about fish and where it is sourced – what’s best?  Farmed and organic or wild and unknown?  I actually called on the expertise of a few in the know to see what the real deal on fish is.  Personally I think it comes down to two things – exactly where it is caught and by whom.  Organic farmed or deep sea is my preference.  I never eat imported fish, especially imported farmed fish!  I asked my good friend Sam Gowing who is forever researching and picking growers brains and has her finger on the pulse when it comes to sustainable and optimal health and food as medicine. She’s ya gal if this spins your wheels!  (Find her on Facebook or follow her on Insta @chefsamgowing).

Here’s what she had to say…

Tune into tuna

“Did you know that much of the fresh yellow fin tuna available in Melbourne and Sydney is caught off the continental shelf between Byron Bay and Coffs Harbour?

The continental shelf of NSW and southernmost of the Solitary Islands is situated only 20 minutes by boat from the Coffs marina, and through the summer months in particular, the islands and their reefs create perfect conditions for yellowfin tuna (YFT), wahoo, kingfish, mackerel, sailfish and juvenile black marlin angling.

A resident population of smaller YFT that move around within a mile or two of the island, and 3-10kg tuna are not uncommon. The larger YFT are generally all out beyond the shelf, and can provide great action with plenty of tuna in the 30-80kg range being caught in a good year

Also available are Southern Bluefin Tuna are ranched in the clean waters of lower Spencer Gulf SA where they have naturally roamed due to optimum environmental conditions. Located near the regional centre of Port Lincoln, it a prime location for ranching tuna due to availability of a skilled workforce, infrastructure and transport networks.

The prized Southern Bluefin Tuna are fed a diet of baitfish over a period of 4 to 5 months, during which time the fish grows, maximising its colour, texture and flavour.”

I think it’s most important to feel satisfied that you are making good choices and nobody can actually tell you whats right for you – so with that in mind, next time you buy your fish, just make sure you’re thoughtful of where it was sourced to know you’re doing what you believe to be best for your family.

IMG_6097

Now… Seared Tuna and Warm Green Salad!

Ingredients
Serves 2

2 tuna steaks
Dukka (home made or store purchased – I used Trentham Estate dukka)
generous handful of green beans
1 bunch of asparagus
1/2 punnet of cherry tomatoes
2 cubes of goat fetta
4-5 springs of mint
1/2 lemon
Olive oil to dress salad
Coconut oil for frying
Plain yoghurt or coyo to garnish

Method

Prepare tuna steaks by patting and pressing a generous amount of dukka on both sides.
Set aside.

String and clean the beans and asparagus and place into rapidly boiling water for approx 5 minutes.
Set aside.

Melt coconut butter in pan and allow pan to get hot.  When ready, place in tuna.  For medium cooked tuna, allow to cook for approx 4-5 minutes and turn.

Whilst tuna is cooking add cherry tomatoes, mint and feta.
Toss roughly.

Dress with a drizzle of oil and a little lemon, salt and pepper.

To serve, place warm green salad on plate, slice tuna and serve with a dollop of yoghurt and lemon wedge.

Add Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *