Let's Sear it for Tuna!

Soy Marinated Tuna Steaks with Sesame Kale and Avocado Mango Salsa
I try to incorporate fish into my diet each week. While salmon is my first go-to seafood choice, tuna is a close second. Whether in its  fresh or canned form, tuna is an inexpensive and flavorful source of B-vitamins and those legendarily healthy omega-3s we hear so much about. I paired these quick, easy, and flavorful ahi tuna steaks with my other favorite super-food of late, kale, for a nutrient-rich dinner perfect for a quick weeknight nosh. Plate it up fancy and serve it to impress weekend guests. This meal for two is easily doubled for the family.

Ingredients
- 1 bunch fresh kale, leaves pulled from stems, stems discarded
- 1 ripe, but firm avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced into large chunks
- 6 scallions, trimmed and diced
- 1/2 fresh mango, peeled and diced into large chunks
- 1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and finely diced
- juice from 1 lime, divided
- 2 Tbsp. minced cilantro, divived
- 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds
- 3 Tbsp. soy sauce, divided
- 1 tsp. fresh ginger, grated
- 2 cloves garlic, grated
- 3 Tbsp. olive oil, divided
- 3 tsp. hot sesame oil. divided
- salt and pepper
- 2 6-7 oz. ahi tuna steaks 

In a small dish whisk together half the lime juice with 2 Tbsp. soy sauce, 1 Tbsp. olive oil, 1 tsp. sesame oil, half the cilantro, garlic, and ginger. Season tuna steaks on both sides with a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Place tuna in a shallow baking dish and pour soy marinade all over, coating tuna steaks completely. Cover with plastic and allow tuna to marinate in refrigerator for at least 20 minutes and up to 2 hours.

While the tuna steaks marinate, make the salsa by combining avocado, mango, jalapeño, half the scallions, and the remaining cilantro and lime juice. Toss ingredients together gently to combine and season to taste with salt and pepper. Set aside.

Once tuna is marinated, heat a grill pan to high. Sear steaks, about 2-3 minutes per side, so that grill marks appear but tuna is still rare in the middle. Remove from heat and slice diagonally across the grain to about 1/4" thick.

While tuna is searing, heat remaining olive oil in a pan over medium-high, add remaining scallions, and cook for about 2 minutes. Add kale, remaining soy sauce, and remaining sesame oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and stir constantly as the kale begins to wither and turn bright green.

Plate kale at the center of the plate. Top with sliced ahi tuna and mango avocado salsa. Sprinkle 1/2 of the sesame seeds over each plate. Enjoy!

Spice Girl

Jerk-Style Salmon with Mango Dressed Quinoa and Avocado Salad
I can never seem to get enough spice on my plate! Whether it's the peppery bite of Tabasco in my guacamole or the slow-burn of Sriracha in my udon noodle soup, I love the flavorful dimension spice adds to any meal! On these increasingly hot evenings, I find a healthy dose of spice is the perfect palate-pleasing way to beat the heat. The sweet, smoky blend of Jamaican Jerk-style seasoning makes a great dry-rub for salmon and paired with this fruit-infused quinoa, this is a fantastic dinner time treat. (For a vegan alternative, serve the quinoa salad with tofu or other animal-free protein for a complete meal.)

Ingredients
- 1 lb. salmon fillets with skin  
- 1 c. uncooked quinoa
- salt and pepper
- 1 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp. cumin
- 1 tsp. curry powder
- 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp. chili powder
- 1 tsp. all spice
- 3 Tbsp. grape seed or vegetable oil
- 1 bunch green onions, trimmed and chopped
- 1 14.5 oz. can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 mango, diced
- 1 tsp. Tabasco or other hot sauce
- 2 Tbsp. minced cilantro, divided
- 3 Tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
- juice from 1 lime
- 2 Tbsp. olive oil
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 jalapeño pepper, trimmed and finely diced
- 1 avocado, peeled and diced

In a medium saucepan combine 1 c. quinoa with 2 c. of water and 1 tsp. salt. Bring to a boil over high, cover, and lower heat. Simmer for about 20 minutes until the quinoa has soaked in all the water. When it is cooked, remove from heat and transfer to a medium bowl to cool.

While the quinoa is cooking, prepare the other ingredients. In a small bowl, mix together all spice, curry, chili powder, cumin, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and 1 tsp. of salt. Sprinkle salmon fillets with salt and pepper then evenly coat all sides of each fillet with spice rub. Allow fillets to sit with spices for about 10 minutes before cooking.

To make the mango dressing place diced mango, vinegar, 1 Tbsp. cilantro, minced garlic, lime juice, Tobasco, and a sprinkle of salt into the bowl of a blender. Puree until smooth. Add olive oil and blend again to combine all ingredients into a creamy consistency. Season to tasted to additional salt and pepper. Set aside.

After the quinoa has cooled slightly add green onions, diced jalapeño pepper, remaining cilantro, and black beans. Stir ingredients to combine. Add avocado and gently mix together. Pour half the dressing onto the salad, mix, then pour the other half and mix a second time so that the ingredients are well incorporated. Set aside to serve at room temperature topped with salmon.

Heat grape seed or vegetable oil over medium high in a large, heavy skillet (cast iron works great for this). Add salmon pieces to hot oil skin side down and sear 2-3 minutes so that a crispy brown layer forms. Turn over fillets and cook the skin side until it begins to brown (2-3 minutes).

Using a spatula or a wooden spoon, break up salmon fillets into bite-sized chunks and spread through the heated pan so that it cooks through, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle salmon lightly with salt and pepper. Serve portions of salmon over the prepared quinoa salad. This meal serves 4-6.