Best Basil Pesto Seared Tuna Recipes

SEARED TUNA WITH PESTO

Steps:

• For the pesto, peel the garlic and chop coarsely. Toast the pine nuts in a dry frying pan until golden, remove and set aside. Rinse the basil, shake dry, pluck the leaves and puree along with the garlic, pine nuts and the oil in a blender.
• Fold in the freshly grated Parmesan and season with salt, pepper and a dash of lemon juice. For the tuna, rinse the tuna, pat dry, trim off tendons and season with salt and pepper. In a pan, heat the oil and sear the tuna on all sides briefly over high heat.
• Remove tuna from the pan, cut into slices and serve with the pesto on plates. If desired, serve with a green salad.

SEARED TUNA WITH TOMATOES AND BASIL

Steps:

• In a 12-inch skillet, heat 1 1/2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat. Season tuna generously with salt and pepper. Arrange half of tuna in skillet in a single layer to prevent crowding. Cook, turning once, until golden brown on top and bottom, about 1 1/2 minutes per side (3 minutes total). Tuna should be slightly pink inside. Transfer to a platter. Cover to keep warm. Add another 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, and repeat with second batch.
• Wipe out the bottom of the skillet. Add remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until onion is golden brown and soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add tomatoes and wine, and simmer, stirring often, until the tomatoes' skins just begin to wrinkle, about 2 minutes. Cook at a bare simmer until sauce thickens slightly, about 5 minutes more. Add basil to skillet, and cook, stirring, until wilted. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon hot sauce over tuna just before serving.

SEARED TUNA WITH BASIL OIL

Steps:

• Bring 4 quarts water to a boil and add 3 tablespoons salt. Set up an ice bath. Blanch basil for 2 minutes in boiling water, then transfer immediately to an ice bath. Cool for 2 minutes, drain, then squeeze excess water from basil. Blend basil and 1 cup olive oil in a blender until well mixed. Strain in a coffee filter or cheesecloth.
• Heat cast iron pan over high heat until very hot. Season tuna with salt and pepper. Brush lightly with olive oil. Place steaks in pan and cook until bottom is brown and crusty, about 3 minutes. Flip tuna and cook for 1 minute. (Tuna will be just seared on the outside and raw in the middle.)
• Remove to a plate. Drizzle with basil oil and garnish with lemon juice and zest.

BASIL TUNA STEAKS

Steps:

• Drizzle both sides of tuna steaks with oil. Sprinkle with the basil, salt and pepper. , Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill tuna, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare or until slightly pink in the center.

PENNE WITH TUNA, BASIL, AND LEMON

Steps:

• Bring a 4-quart pasta pot three fourths full with salted water to a boil for penne. Mince garlic. Finely grate enough lemon zest to measure 1 tablespoon and squeeze 1 teaspoon juice. Cut basil into thin strips. In a large bowl toss together garlic, zest, juice, basil, and tuna with oil from can.
• Boil penne until al dente and drain in a colander. Add penne to bowl and toss with salt and pepper to taste.

TUNA STEAKS WITH GARLIC, TOMATOES, CAPERS, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onions; sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic; sauté until golden, about 3 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, basil, and capers. Simmer uncovered until mixture thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in another heavy large skillet over medium heat. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper. Add fish to skillet and cook until light brown at edges but pink in center, about 3 minutes per side. Pour in tomato mixture. Simmer until fish is opaque in center, about 5 minutes longer. Serve fish immediately.

TUNA WITH TOMATO-BASIL SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, celery, parsley and garlic. Sauté until onion is tender but not brown, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaf. Cover and cook until sauce thickens, stirring occasionally, about 15 minutes. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Rewarm before continuing.) Discard bay leaf. Mix in torn basil. Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.
• Sprinkle tuna with salt and pepper. Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in another heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add tuna and cook until golden and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer tuna to platter. Spoon sauce over tuna. Garnish with basil sprigs.