Name: Jeff Nathan’s Pepper Crusted Tuna on Arugula, Fennel and Orange Berry Salad
Ingredients: ¼ cup honey; ¼ teaspoon ground fennel seed optional; Grated zest of 1 orange; ¼ cup fresh orange juice; 2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice; ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil; Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper (to taste); 2 bunch arugula (trimmed, well rinsed, and dried (about ½ pound)); ½ bulb fennel (crossed thinly sliced); 1 orange (cut into sections); 1 cup fresh strawberries (hulled and cut into quarters); ⅓ cup fresh blueberries; ¼ cup pecans (toasted); Six 6-ounce center-cut tuna steaks; 1 teaspoon sea salt; ¼ cup coarsely cracked black pepper corns (crush in a mortar or under a heavy saucepan); 2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil

Jeff Nathan’s Pepper Crusted Tuna on Arugula, Fennel and Orange Berry Salad

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Servings

Ingredients

¼ cup honey
¼ teaspoon ground fennel seed optional
Grated zest of 1 orange
¼ cup fresh orange juice
2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
¾ cup extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
2 bunch arugula trimmed, well rinsed, and dried (about ½ pound)
½ bulb fennel crossed thinly sliced
1 orange cut into sections
1 cup fresh strawberries hulled and cut into quarters
⅓ cup fresh blueberries
¼ cup pecans toasted
Six 6-ounce center-cut tuna steaks
1 teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup coarsely cracked black pepper corns crush in a mortar or under a heavy saucepan
2 tablespoon Extra virgin olive oil

Instructions

To make the vinaigrette, place the honey in a medium bowl and add the fennel seed, if using. Whisk in the orange and lemon juices. Gradually whisk in the oil. Season with salt and pepper.
Combine the arugula, fennel, oranges, and berries in a large bowl.
Season tuna steaks on both sides with the salt. Pour the cracked black pepper in a shallow dish or on a sheet of waxed paper. Press one side of the tuna into the pepper to coat.
Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the tuna, pepper-side down. Cook, turning once, until the tuna is seared on the outside but rare within, about 4 minutes. If you like your tuna more well-done (don’t go past medium doneness!), cover the pan and cook for 2 to 4 minutes longer. Slice each steak against the grain into 1/4-inch slices.
Add the vinaigrette to the arugula and berries; toss well. Sprinkle with the pecans. Heap equal amounts on each of 6 dinner plates or on a large platter. Arrange the tuna slices decoratively around the salad. Serve immediately.