Sesame Crusted Tuna Tataki with Sesame & Ginger Dressing

Hello!

So, NOBODY  believed me when I told them that I've decided to go on a diet. 

"Why the hell are you going on a diet, WINSTON?" 
"You don't need to go on a diet!"

See, the main reason why I'm doing this is because I've got a big trip to Malaysia, London and Paris in December/January and I know for a fact that it's going to be one hell of an eating trip. I've sort of started to look after my health and fitness the past year so I don't want to go too out of control. Plus, I really wanted to challenge myself to do something like this seeing as I've never actually been on a diet before.

The thing is, my diet isn't the type where I'm starving myself to lose weight. I'm still eating a fair amount but I'm just substituting everything to clean, healthy, wholesome foods. And because I've got a certain amount of calories and macros (i.e. composition protein, fats and carbs) to take in each day, that just means I pretty much have to eliminate eating out altogether and just stick to my homecooked meal plans each day. As much as I can, anyway. 

It's been 3 weeks out of my 8 week challenge and I'm already starting to feel healthier by the day. Sure, the occasional hunger pangs and cravings are inevitable but I do what I can. It's especially hard on weekends because there's social obligations involving food that I can't get out but I just do what I can. If I'm being honest. I'm really curious about what the effects would be to me physically and mentally after 8 whole weeks of this.

Anyway, my good friends Ashley, Adrian and I had plans to catchup the other night. We do this from time to time where we'd do a potluck and just watch loads of TV at someone's house. I wasn't sure what to do because normally we have the most epic of feasts when we do but I had already started this diet. Being the great friends that they are, they suggested we have a Japanese themed dinner instead because it's healthier and they wanted to accommodate as best as they could -- so nice of them. 

I wanted to make something clean, fresh and healthy so decided to cook up this Sesame Crusted Tuna Tataki (or seared tuna). It was delicious. The dressing was especially addictive really and love the smell of toasted sesame seeds. Unreal.

Anyway, this dish is really quick and easy to make. And yeh, if you, like me are looking for something healthy to eat too then this one's for you. Tick, tick, tick. Oh, and if you are as lazy as me you could also make a quick salad out of it. Just shred it all up and toss it with some sliced zucchini, Japanese seaweed, pickled ginger and edamame beans. YUM-MO.

 Fun Japanese salad made with them tuna tataki

Sesame Crusted Tuna Tataki

(adapted from this recipe by taste.com.au)

Click here to print the recipe

Ingredients

For the tuna:

200g sashimi grade tuna loin

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1/4 cup black sesame seeds

1 tbsp olive oil

For the dressing:

2 tbsp soy sauce

1 tbsp sunflower or olive oil

1 tbsp water

1 tbsp rice wine vinegar

1 1/2 tsp caster sugar

1 tsp fresh ginger or horseradish (finely grated)

1 tsp sesame oil

To garnish (optional):

Finely sliced spring onions

Finely sliced chillies

Edible flowers 

Method

1. Mix the sesame seeds together in a plate. Pat the tuna dry and roll it around in the plate of sesame seeds so it is evenly coated.

2. Heat up a pan and add the olive oil. Sear the tuna for 30 seconds each side on all 4 sides. The tuna is meant to be rare in the middle. Remove onto a chopping board and slice to 1/2cm thick.

3. Mix all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl until well combined.

4. To serve, place the tuna on a plate and drizzle generously with the dressing. Garnish with spring onions, chillies and edible flowers, if using.

Candied Orange Segments with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt

And before you know it... It's October already and we are well into the Spring season. The year has gone by so quickly, it's almost unbelievable.

I may seem a little inactive on this space but have definitely still been experimenting in the kitchen a lot and taking photos regularly. Finding the time to share them has always been a struggle what with trying to balance work, exercise, family and family. I now have a bit of a backlog of great recipes that I've tried that I can't wait to share.

I made these candied orange segments because I had ingredients leftover from when I made my Salted Chocolate Tart with Spiced, Candied Orange. 

I brought a container full of these babies to a dinner party and it wasn't long before they were gone. I've always been a fan of the combination of salty and sweet. These candied orange segments are a fun and easy snack to make and I definitely recommend people to try!

Hope to be back soon with another post. Until then, happy eating! 

Candied Orange Segments with Dark Chocolate & Sea Salt

(an original recipe)

Click here to print the recipe

Ingredients

2 oranges 

1 1/2 cup water

3 cups sugar

2 cinnamon sticks

5 star anise

80g dark chocolate (70% cocoa)

Sea salt flakes

Method

1. Slice the oranges in half before slicing it again to 1/2 cm thick to form segments.

2. Bring the water, sugar, cinnamon sticks and star anise to a boil in a pot. Once boiling, add in the orange segments and allow to simmer for 20 minutes or until oranges become soft. Drain and set aside.

3. Place the dark chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave in 30second bursts or until chocolate completely melted. 

4. Spread a small dollop of chocolate on each orange segment. Sprinkle with sea salt flakes.