Marinated Broiled Tuna With Sauce Nicoise
Prep Time:
25
minutes
Cook Time:
15
minutes
Servings:
4
servings
Ingredients
  • 4 (6-ounce) center-cut tuna steaks, about 1-inch thick
  • 6 tablespoon olive oil, divided
  • 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 2 crumbled bay leaves
  • 4 small sprigs fresh rosemary (or 2 teaspoons dried)
  • 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 4 ripe plum tomatoes
  • 1/2 cup sliced fennel
  • 1/2 cup sliced red onion
  • 2 teaspoon coarsely chopped garlic
  • 4 pitted black olives
  • 2 teaspoon grated lemon rind
  • 2 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 4 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh basil or parsley
  • salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Directions
  1. Preheat broiler or outdoor grill to high.
  2. Place 4 (6-ounce) center-cut tuna steaks in a dish. Season both sides with salt and pepper to taste. Brush both sides with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Add 4 sprigs fresh thyme (or 2 teaspoons dried), 2 crumbled bay leaves, 4 small sprigs fresh rosemary (or 2 teaspoons dried) and 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Cover with plastic wrap and let stand for 20 minutes.
  3. Boil a pan of water. Place 4 ripe plum tomatoes in the boiling water for about 9 seconds. Drain and pull away the skin. Cut and discard the core and chop the tomatoes coarsely.
  4. In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, place 4 tablespoons olive oil. When hot, add 1/2 cup sliced fennel, 1/2 cup sliced red onion and 2 teaspoons coarsely chopped garlic. Cook briefly until wilted. Add the tomatoes, 4 pitted black olives, 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind and 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes.
  5. Transfer the fennel mixture to a blender or food processor fitted with a blade attachment. Add 3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil and blend 5 to 7 seconds, taking care that the sauce remains coarse. Transfer sauce to a saucepan, season with salt and pepper, to taste, reheat briefly. Keep warm.
  6. If broiling, arrange the tuna steaks on a rack and place under the broiler about 5 inches from the heat source. Broil 2 minutes with the door partly open. Turn the steaks, and, leaving the door open, continue broiling about 2 minutes longer, or to desired doneness.
  7. If grilling, place the steaks on a hot grill, cover and cook 2 minutes. Turn the fish, cover and cook about 2 minutes or to desired doneness.
  8. Serve with prepared sauce around the fish and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon basil.