A well-Rounded bowl

Tastē Tuesday: We have a couple of tried and true Ahi Tuna recipes, but by the end of this summer we were looking for something new.  We tried this bowl and loved it.  Besides eating the fish with a different flavor, this recipe provides veggies, and a very healthy grain, quinoa, all in one dish.  

Seared Tuna Tataki Quinoa Bowl
Recipe adapted from Eating Well: March/April 2014
Makes: 4 servings
Total Time: 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 1/4 cup reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 3 tablespoons lime juice
• 2 tablespoons mirin (see Tips)
• 1 tablespoon finely grated ginger
• 2 cups water
• 1 cup quinoa
• 1 pound ahi (yellowfin) tuna (see Tips)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 3 tablespoons canola oil, divided
• 1 1/3 cups matchstick-cut carrots
• 1 1/3 cups matchstick-cut seeded cucumber

PREPARATION

1. Combine onion, soy sauce, lime juice, mirin and ginger in a 7-by-11-inch (or similar-size) baking dish. Set aside to marinate.
2. Bring water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Stir in quinoa. Reduce heat to a simmer, cover and cook until the grains are tender and reveal their spiraled germ, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat, uncover and fluff.
3. Meanwhile, season tuna on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over high heat. Add tuna and sear for 1 minute on each side for medium-rare. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into 1/2-inch slices. Remove the onions from the marinade with a slotted spoon and reserve; transfer the sliced tuna to the marinade. Gently toss to coat and let sit 5 minutes. Use tongs to transfer the tuna back to the cutting board and cut into cubes.
4. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil to the marinade; stir 3 tablespoons of the mixture into the quinoa. Divide the quinoa among 4 shallow bowls and top with equal portions of the tuna, reserved onions, carrot, and cucumber. Drizzle with the remaining marinade and serve immediately.                     TIPS & NOTES
5. • Mirin is a sweet, low-alcohol rice wine essential in Japanese cooking. Look for it in your supermarket with the Asian or gourmet ingredients. It will keep for several months in the refrigerator. An equal portion of sherry or white wine with a pinch of sugar can be used as a substitute.
   • When choosing ahi (yellow­fin) tuna look for U.S.-caught fish (from the Atlantic or the Pacific)—it’s most likely to be sustainably fished.  Sushi-grade fish is best for this recipe since it is not cooked all of the way through.