Korean-Style Tuna with Cilantro Noodles

This one is fast, simple, and has loads of flavor.  We topped it with a Wasabi Compound Butter, but you could reserve some of the marinade before you add the tuna and use it as a dipping sauce. This is a great example of the "less is more" philosophy of cooking: a few ingredients, properly prepared, will result in a bold and satisfying meal.

Adding Red Pepper Flakes to the Marinade

I find it easier to mix the marinade in a measuring bowl and give it a vigorous stir before it goes in the bag with the tuna.

Grilling Tuna

Make sure that you don't over cook the steaks.  Tuna cooked well-done might as well be cardboard.  I prefer my tuna to be seared on the outside and nearly raw in the middle.  Kate likes hers more towards medium-rare.  We agreed that the rule of thumb in our house will be "two-minute tuna", and no more.

Ramen in the Wok

When you make the noodles, be sure to have all of your ingredients ready to go.  This dish cooks in a hurry, and you won't have time to measure and cut once you start.  This might be my favorite preparation for Ramen Noodles.

(Cuisine at Home Weeknight Grilling, pp 58-59.)

(Cuisine at Home, Issue 84, December 2010, p 9.) 

For the Tuna:

• 1/2 C Soy Sauce
• 1/3 C Rice Vinegar
• 1/4 C Brown Sugar
• 1/4 C Scallions, diced
• 2 Tbsp Sesame Oil
• 1 Tbsp Garlic, minced
• 1 tsp Red Pepper Flakes
• 4 Tuna Steaks (6-8 oz each)

For the Noodles:

• 2 pkg Ramen Noodles (discard spice packet)
• 2 tsp Oil
• 1 tsp Sesame Oil
• 2 Tbsp Shallot, minced
• 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
• 1 C Cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 C Scallions, chopped

1. Combine Soy Sauce, Vinegar, Brown Sugar, Scallions, Sesame Oil, Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes in a bowl. Add Tuna Steaks and marinate 10-20 minutes.
2. Cook Noodles in boiling water according to package directions, about 3 minutes. Drain and shake dry.
3. Heat Oil and Sesame Oil in wok over medium-high heat. Saute Shallots until soft, about 2 minutes.
4. Deglaze wok with Soy Sauce, then remove from heat and add Noodles, Cilantro and Scallions, tossing to coat.
5. Grill Tuna Steaks on hot grill until rare (1 minute/side) to medium-rare (3 minutes/side). Plate Noodles first, then Tuna.