Place the 10-ounce square portion of ahi tuna on a large square of plastic wrap. Roll up tightly, securing ends by twisting tightly. Roll tuna back and forth on a hard surface. Continue until roll is round. Place in freezer until ready to assemble plate.

Heat a small sautépan until smoking hot. Pan-brown peppercorns until toasted. Remove from heat and grind in grinder (small coffee grinder works well). Sprinkle on cookie sheet. Roll the two 9-ounce portions of ahi tuna in peppercorn mixture, covering all four sides. Using your fingertips, press peppercorn mixture firmly into flesh of tuna. Heat a small sautépan until smoking hot. Sear all four sides of two pieces of tuna for approximately 30 seconds on each side. Remove from pan and put in small bow. Refrigerate until ready to assemble plate.

Spiked Raisin Medley

Combine mango, pineapple, appe and fresh ginger in small bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to assemble plate. Put California raisins to soak in vodka until plumped; drain and stir into fruit mixture along with almonds when just ready to serve.

Tuile

Combine powdered sugar, flour and egg in mixer bowl. Using paddle attachment, mix at low speed until ingredients are thoroughly mixed. Slowly add melted butter. Place silicone mat or wax paper on cookie sheet. Spread tuile batter evenly making two 9 x 4-inch triangles. Sprinkle batter with chopped raisins. Bake in 350°F oven for approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from oven and cut tuile into 1-inch strips. Set aside until ready to assemble plate.

To Assemble

Remove tuna log from freezer. Allow to thaw for approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Using electric slicer or electric knife, slice 48 paper-thin circles. Place 8 circles in center of each plate overlapping slightly. Center a 3- or 4-inch ring on top of tuna. Remove mango mixture from refrigerator. Add 3/4 of raisin-vodka mixture and toasted almonds. Mix thoroughly. Fill ring with mixture. Remove seared tuna from refrigerator. Using electric knife, slice 9-ounce portion into three evenly portioned pieces. Place tuna on top of mango mixture. Decorate base of tuna with remaining vodka soaked raisins. To garnish, place a raisin on each tuna circle. Top tuna with a pinch of fleur de sel, raisin tuile and fried fennel sprig.

Ingredients

  • 1 piece (10 ounces) fresh ahi tuna, cut square
  • 1 Teaspoon each whole pink and whole green Szechwan peppercorns
  • 2 pieces (9 ounces each) fresh ahi tuna, cut in rectangular pieces

Procedure

Spiked Raisin Medley

  • 1 whole mango, small dice
  • 1/2 whole pineapple, small dice
  • 1 Granny Smith apple, small dice
  • 1/2 Cup fresh gingerroot; peeled, blanced and cut in matchstick-size pieces (julienne)
  • 3/4 Cup California golden raisins
  • 3/4 Cup California natural raisins
  • 3/4 Cup vodka
  • 1/2 Cup sliced almonds, toasted and chopped

Raisin Tuile

  • 1 egg
  • 61/2 Cups powdered sugar
  • 4 Cups all-purpose flour
  • 10 egg whites (2 cups)
  • 21/4 Cups melted butter, lukewarm
  • 1/2 Cup chopped California raisins

Garnish

  • Fleur de sel
  • Deep-fried fennel sprigs

Nutrition Facts Per Serving

Calories 1900 (Calories from Fat 38%); Total Fat 82 ( Saturated Fat 46; Trans Fat 0; ); Cholesterol 270; Sodium 870; Potassium 1150; Total Carbohydrate 231; Dietary Fiber 8; Sugars 152; Protein 51; Calcium 105; Iron 7;

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There are many more ways to use raisins for healthy cooking. Take a look at our recipe page for more delicious dishes.
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Raisins are great food choices for most individuals, including those with Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).
- by James W. Anderson, M.D., Professor of Medicine and Clinical Nutrition, Emeritus, University of Kentucky.