Tartare of Ahi Tuna

Appetizer Serves 4

1 # Sashimi grade Tuna, cleaned
¼ T Garlic, minced fine
2 ea Pears, skins removed and cut into small dice
1T Lemon Juice, mixed with 1c water for holding pears
2 ea Green jalapeno, minced, seeds reserved
2 ea Red jalapeno, minced, seeds reserved
¼ bu Mint leaves, picked from stems and cut into chiffonade
6 T Pine nuts, toasted
¾ c Sesame oil, chili infused
8 ea Slices of white bread for toast
6 ea Quail Eggs, separated. Yolks reserved (whole)
1 ½ T Salt
½ T White pepper
2 T Ancho chili powder

To prepare

Cut the tuna into small cubes. Be sure that no sinew is left behind. Store chilled. Remove the seeds and pith from the chilies, reserve. Dice the chilies into a fine brunoise and mix the colors together. Add the chili seeds and scraps to the sesame oil. Heat very lightly and allow the chilies to infuse the oil. Strain through a fine mesh strainer when the desired heat is achieved. Cool. When all of the other ingredients are prepared you are ready to plate.

To plate

Be sure that the plates are well chilled to ensure the dish is served cold. Working with 2½"x3" ring mold pack the tuna firmly and evenly in the mold. Unmold into the center of the plate being sure to make a small indention with your finger in the center of the top. This will give the egg a resting place. Drain the pears thoroughly and place 2T at the 9 o'clock potion. Place about1 ½ t of the minced chilies at 7 o'clock, 1/16 t of garlic at 5 o'clock and 1 ½ T of pine nuts at 3 o'clock. Adjust these amounts depending on your personal taste. Season with about 1/3 T salt and a pinch of white pepper over the top of each plate. Sprinkle evenly with ancho powder and mint. Place a quail egg yolk atop of the tuna mold. Drizzle 3-4T of the infused sesame oil on top of and around each plate. Serve with toast points (crusts removed).

To serve

Using a fork and spoon, mix the ingredients vigorously into front of the guests. Or get everyone involved in the process. When everything is well mixed reshape the tuna into an appealing shape i.e. Square or triangle.

Alternate preparation

All of the ingredients can be mixed in a bowl ahead of time and then molded and serves. In this case you would want to reserve enough anchor powder and mint to garnish the plates.

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