Black and Blue Tuna with a scrumptious sauce!

Howdy! I hope that everyone is excited for sleeping in on the weekend! I sure am. Anyway, today I have some great recipes for you, especially if you are entertaining guests/having a fancy cocktail party; if not, well then you can just devour the whole plate with a friend (or alone, I wouldn't blame you haha). I guarantee that even people who really are not fans of tuna fish will like this one! Give it a go and leave me some feedback on how you like it! Okay, so I usually make my own spice mixes because I really hate buying them in store, they always cost so much for such a small little bottle. Buying a variety of spices from East Indian markets and other places in bulk and making your own personal blends out of those not only gives you a unique spice mix that is totally you, it also gives you the advantage of making your favorite spice mixes and rubs and gauge to how much is needed or how little is needed for a much lesser price. Also, having your own spice blend makes it easier to season your food since you know how much salt and pepper went into which spice-no more over seasoned or under seasoned food! Note: the recipe for Cajun spice can be used on anything else else you like. It's a handy spice mix to have around, store it in a glass jar with a label (I know this seems pretty obvious but some people forget to label and then never know what went in there) in a dry place. Done my ranting, moving along to the actual recipe! Hurrah!

Cajun spiced Ahi Tuna:

Ingredients:

-4-inch thick sashimi-grade tuna, toro or yellowtail fillets (cut from center piece of the fish)
-Grape seed oil 

Cajun spice Rub for the fish:

¼ cup kosher salt (use less or non at all since you will be using soy sauce in your dip)
¼ cup chili powder
¼ cup celery Salt
¼ cup spanish paprika
2 tablespoons onion powder
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 teaspoon cumin
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
2 tablespoons dried thyme
2 tablespoons dried basil
2 tablespoons dried oregano

½ teaspoon white pepper 

1 tablespoon ground black pepper

Orange Sauce:
1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice (about 2 oranges)
1 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp. dark sesame oil
1/2 tsp. fresh ginger, minced
1/2 tsp. fresh garlic, minced
1 Tbsp. water
2 tsp. cornstarch


Directions:

1. Place the Cajun spice in a small bowl.
2. Brush the fish fillets with oil and then coat with the spice mixture. Let the fish stand for 10 minutes to marinate.
3. In the meantime, combine the orange juice, honey, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, and garlic in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Whisk together water and cornstarch until smooth. Add to the boiling sauce, and cook, stirring frequently, for about 2 minutes until thickened.
4. Preheat oil in a skillet over high heat. Set two of the steaks in the pan (no more than two because you don't want to overcrowd them) and sear. Sear the fish for about 1-2 minutes on each side. Use tongs to hold them on their short sides, which only need about 30 seconds

5. You want the fish to be cooked just around the edges and raw in the middle. Remove from the pan and let sit for a minute before slicing.  Repeat with the remaining steaks.

6. Plate as desired and serve with the dipping sauce drizzled over top or on the side. 

Enjoy!

Bitter mood makes bitter food! So, fucking smile! :D