Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Recipe of the Week: Pasta with Tuna, Capers & Golden Raisins

I know what you're thinking: "Capers and raisins? I'm all for sweet & sour, but this seems a little much..." and that's where you're wrong! Give it a shot; I know pickled flower buds and dehydrated grapes sound like unlikely bedfellows, but this recipe is perfectly unusual - maybe our first foray into the world of flavor-based gastronomy? Bon appetit!

Ingredients
Prepare the tuna

2/3 cup sake
1/4 cup gluten free soy sauce/tamari
1 Tablespoon fish sauce
1 teaspoon red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon ketchup
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tuna steak

For the pasta
1 cup asparagus tips (2 inch pieces)
1 lb. dried gluten free pasta (we recommend Bi-Aglut/Le Veneziane or Orgran pastas)
2 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 leek, tender green and white parts only, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 Tablespoons drained, bottled capers
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/4 cup Italian parsley, chopped

Directions
First, prepare the tuna by placing the sake, gluten free soy sauce, fish sauce, red wine vinegar, ketchup and sugar in a large zip lock bag. Add the tuna steak, seal and turn to coat. Let marinate in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.

Prepare a grill. Remove the tuna from the marinade (discard marinade). Grill the tuna for 3-5 minutes per side. Cut into large chunks and set aside.

Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the asparagus tips and cook until just tender, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon remove the asparagus tips from the water and immediately plunge into a bowl of ice water. Add the pasta to the water and cook until al dente. Reserve 1 cup of pasta cooking water then drain pasta and return to the pot.

While the pasta cooks, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the onions and garlic; cook until tender and golden, about 6-8 minutes. Stir in the capers, raisins, parsley and reserved cooking water. Add the mixture to the pasta along with the grilled tuna and toss to combine. Season with freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

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