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SPICED TUNA SALAD WITH CURRY-PEANUT DRESSING

By Eric Ripert

4 Servings

Tuna:

  • Two 1 inch-thick tuna steaks (about 6 ounces each)
  • 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon pepper, freshly ground
  • 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 2 teaspoons corn oil

Vinaigrette:

  • 1 teaspoon soy sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon red curry paste
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
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  • 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 2 pinches white pepper, freshly ground
  • 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons corn oil

Greens:

  • 4 cups salad greens
  • 1/2 cup bean sprouts
  • 2 teaspoons mint leaves, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons fresh coriander, coarsely chopped
  • 8 unsalted peanuts, coarsely chopped
  1. For the tuna: Sprinkle each steak with 1/4 teaspoon each of the salt and pepper and 3/4 teaspoon of the thyme and rub the seasonings into the tuna. Turn the steaks over and repeat on the other side.

  2. Put 1 teaspoon of the oil in each of two 10-inch nonstick skillets and place over high heat until just smoking. Add 1 tuna steak to each skillet and sear until browned on the outside and rare in the center, about 1 minute per side. Let cool. (This can be done up to 8 hours in advance).

  3. For the vinaigrette, combine all of the ingredients in a bowl, except for the oils. Whisking constantly, very slowly drizzle in the olive oil and then the corn oil. Store, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

  4. Using a very sharp, thin-bladed knife, slice the tuna crosswise 1/8-inch thick. (The recipe can be made to this point up to 3 hours ahead; cover the tuna with parchment paper and refrigerate.)

  5. To serve, toss the salad greens, bean sprouts, mint, coriander and peanuts with half of the vinaigrette. Make a tall mound of salad in the center of 4 dinner plates. Drape the tuna slices over the salads in a circle, with one end of each slice meeting at the highest point of the salad. Drizzle the remaining vinaigrette around (but not touching) the tuna and serve.