Tuna Tataki Nigiri with Creamy Ginger Sauce

When shopping for fresh seafood, make sure to inquire about the sustainable seafood options available. Pole- and troll-caught albacore or ahi tuna are sustainable choices that ensure the health of our oceans and fish stocks for years to come.

1/4 cup (60 mL) plain yogurt
1/2 tsp (2 mL) low-sodium soy sauce or tamari sauce
1/8 tsp (0.5 mL) toasted sesame oil
1 tsp (5 mL) freshly grated ginger
1 ripe avocado, peeled and pitted
Zest of 1 orange
1/2 tsp (2 mL) salt
1/4 tsp (1 mL) freshly ground black pepper
1/2 lb (225 g) sashimi-grade albacore or ahi tuna loin
1 tsp (5 mL) avocado oil or grapeseed oil
1 1/2 cups (350 mL) prepared sushi rice (see recipe for Sushi Rice)
1 green onion, sliced
1 tsp (5 mL) black sesame seeds
2 radishes, thinly sliced, for garnish
Microgreens or pea shoots, for garnish

In blender, mix together yogurt, soy sauce, sesame oil, ginger, avocado, and 3 Tbsp (45 mL) water until thoroughly combined and smooth. Adjust consistency with a little extra water if desired. Refrigerate sauce until ready to use.

In small bowl, stir together orange zest, salt, and pepper. Sprinkle mixture over tuna, pressing to adhere.

Preheat oil in frying pan over medium-high heat. Add tuna and sear for 20 to 30 seconds on each side. Remove tuna and transfer to plate. Refrigerate tuna until cold, about 30 minutes. This will make it easier to slice.

Meanwhile, stir together sushi rice, green onion, and sesame seeds. Cover with damp cloth and set aside.

With sharp knife, slice tuna into 16 thin slices.

When ready to assemble nigiri, wet your hands to help prevent rice from sticking to them while working. Gather a generous tablespoon of rice in one hand. Squeeze and roll rice into a long oval about 2 in (5 cm) in length. Continue moulding rice until you have 16 ovals. Smear a small amount of ginger sauce over bottom of tuna before draping a slice over each oval of rice.

Transfer to serving plate and garnish each nigiri with radishes and microgreens. Serve nigiri right away with extra creamy ginger sauce alongside for dipping.

Serves 8.

Each serving contains: 124 calories; 9 g protein; 5 g total fat (1 g sat. fat, 0 g trans fat); 12 g total carbohydrates (1 g sugars, 3 g fibre); 176 mg sodium

source: "Summer Sushi", alive #380, June 2014