Go Back Email Link
+ servings
Print Pin
5 from 1 vote

Seared Sesame Crusted Tuna Salad with Wasabi Vinaigrette and Vegetable Crisps

Sweet, tangy, spicy, and umami filled dressing pairs well with sesame seared tuna, peppery arugula, crisp and cool cucumber, sweet carrot, and creamy avocado in this delicious and refreshing meal. Fried lotus root makes an excellent variation in place of the vegetable crisps. 
Course Main Course, Salad
Cuisine Asian
Keyword asian, dairy-free, egg-free, fish, main, nightshade-free, nut-free, salad, seafood, sesame, sesame seeds, tuna, wasabi
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings 3
Calories 533kcal
Author Jenny Ross

Ingredients

Tuna

  • 1 pound tuna preferably sashimi grade
  • 3 tablespoons sesame seeds
  • avocado oil as needed

Vegetable Crisps:

  • 1 small parsnip or purple sweet potato, or carrot, or a mix of all 3, shaved (I like to use a vegetable peeler to get really thin slices crosswise)
  • avocado oil as needed
  • salt to taste

Wasabi Miso Vinaigrette

  • 1/4 cup avocado oil
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon white miso paste
  • 1-2 tablespoons wasabi paste to taste (if using dried wasabi, start adding it slowly as it is much stronger than the paste)

Salad

  • 2 cups arugula
  • 1 carrot shredded
  • 1 avocado diced
  • 1 English cucumber sliced thin

Instructions

For the Tuna

  • Season the fish with a bit of salt. Place the sesame seeds on a plate and roll the ahi in sesame seeds to coat.
  • Heat a medium pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add a tablespoon of avocado oil. Add the sesame covered fish and sear both sides briefly, about 30 seconds a side, leaving the center as rare as possible but browning the sesame crust. Set aside to cool.

For the Vegetable Crisps

  • Add the avocado oil and shaved root vegetables to a small pot and heat over medium heat, stirring occasionally with a fork to ensure even cooking. The celery root will begin bubbling and will simmer slowly in the oil. When the amount of bubbling reduces and the vegetables are a straw color, begin stirring more often and cook until just golden brown around the edges. Remove the pot from the heat. Transfer the fried vegetables from the oil to a paper towel to drain excess oil. Sprinkle with a bit of salt and set aside. (Use a light color pot so that you can easily see the color of the celery root as it cooks. This can be made up to a week ahead of time and stored in an airtight container.

For the Vinaigrette

  • Whisk together all ingredients except the oil until smooth. Slowly whisk in the oil to emulsify and set aside.

For the Salad

  • Combine all salad ingredients. Toss with half the reserved dressing. Divide between serving plates. Slice the tuna and lay atop the salad. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and top with vegetable crisps.

Notes

Most oil is not absorbed by the crisps, this is reflected in the nutrition facts.
 
Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.52, Protein % of calories: 25.9%
Nutrition without crisps: Calories: 494 cal, Carbs: 16g, Fiber: 7g, Fat: 34g, Protein: 34g, Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.57, Protein % of calories: 27.6%
Nutrition without avocado: Calories: 426 cal, Carbs: 20g, Fiber: 5g, Fat: 24g, Protein: 33g, Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.69, Protein % of calories: 31.6%
Nutrition without avocado or crisps: Calories: 387 cal, Carbs: 11g, Fiber: 3g, Fat: 24g, Protein: 32g, Protein:Energy Quotient [calories]: 0.76, Protein % of calories: 33.5%

Nutrition

Calories: 533kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 34g | Fat: 34g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 21g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 574mg | Potassium: 1124mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 4010IU | Vitamin C: 24mg | Calcium: 186mg | Iron: 5mg