Nantucket Shell
Vacation Rental

Nantucket, Massachusetts

Specialty Recipe

Tuna with Fennel-Pepper Crust
and Ginger Beurre Blanc Sauce

Ingredients

1/4 cup fennel seeds

3 Tablespoons coriander seeds

2 Tablespoons white peppercorns

6 fresh tuna steaks, 6 ounces each

olive oil

1 Tablespoon minced shallots

1/2 cup white wine vinegar

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar

3/4 cup white wine

1/4 cup grated fresh ginger root

8 black peppercorns

10 Tablespoons cold butter, cut into 8 pieces

1 Tablespoon pickled ginger

Grind the fennel, coriander and peppercorns with a mortar and pestle or in a spice grinder until fine.

Dip tuna in the spice mixture, coating both sides lightly. Heat oil in a non-stick skillet until hot. Saute tuna over medium heat to desired degree of doneness.

To make the Ginger Beurre Blanc Sauce, combine the shallots, vinegars, wine, ginger root and peppercorns in a small pan and reduce over medium heat to 3 tablespoons.

Strain the reduction into a clean pan, pressing hard on the solids to extract the liquid. Over low heat add one tablespoon of butter and whisk constantly until melted. Add another piece and continue in this manner until you've used all the butter. Don't let the sauce get too hot or it will liquefy.

Add julienned pickled ginger and season to taste. Top the tuna with some of the sauce and serve immediately.

Serves: 6

• You found this recipe on 1st Traveler's Choice Internet Cookbook. (www.virtualcities.com)