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Thursday, May 14, 2009

1 Post, 2 Food Network Inspirations

This week's Barefoot Bloggers challenge was chosen by Kate of Warm Olives and Cool Cocktails...and it was fabulous! At first I thought I wasn't going to be able to participate because I could not find fresh tuna ANYWHERE!!! It is not 4:26 in the p.m. of the day this recipe is due to be posted and guess what? I finally found some fresh tuna...but not much. I checked a few local grocers who I thought may have it (I'm in lake territory, not ocean) but was out of luck. While the kiddos and I were heading home from the library I decided to run into a different market to grab some lemons...and decided to check the seafood counter; you know, just in case. BINGO! There sat two lovely tuna steaks. Now, the recipe calls for Ahi and this was Yellow Fin, but I decided to throw caution to the wind and go for it...or didn't it say Ahi? Hmm, where'd I get that? Anyhoo... there were only the two and they totaled just under a pound, so I went ahead and halved the recipe. I happen to love fresh tuna...heck, any fresh seafood for that matter. But, it HAS to be super fresh or I get kinda creeped out (I know, weirdo). Hubby on the other hand is not a big seafood fan...and he's even less a fan of rare meat (of any kind...makes me cringe when he orders his steak well-done). So, instead of leaving the tuna steaks rare, I cooked them through so that he would help me eat the salad. In all my tuna-euphoria, I forgot that I didn't have a couple of other ingredients called for, so I ended up subbing horseradish for wasabi (just as good, I think) and leaving out the scallions and my one of my favorite foods, avocado. Tuna Salad by Ina Garten, The Barefoot Contessa (halved)

1 lb. tuna steaks (1" thick)

2 Tbs. olive oil, plus more for brushing

1 1/4 tsp. kosher salt, plus more for sprinkling I used Himalayan Pink sea salt

1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper, plus more for sprinkling

1 lime, zested

1/2 tsp. wasabi powder I subbed horseradish

3 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice

1 tsp. soy sauce

5 dashes hot sauce

1 avocado, diced I omitted this, boo hoo :(

1/8 c. scallions, sliced I omitted, didn't have

1/8 c. red onion, minced I just sliced them up thin

Brush tuna steaks with a little olive oil. Season with salt & pepper. In a piping hot pan, sear for one minute per side longer if your hubby won't do rare.

Mix the next ingredients (lime zest through hot sauce) well to make dressing I just put everything into a jar and shook like crazy.

Chunk the tuna and toss it with the onions and avocado. Pour over the marinade and toss gently. Serve.

This is seriously delicious! I almost wish I had cooked the tuna rare so that I'd have to eat it all by myself. Great choice, Kate. This paired wonderfully with a bottle of Pinot Grigio. Head on over to see what the other Barefoot Bloggers did with this recipe! And, since I did this so late in the day, I decided I'd just head on over to visit Tyler while I was at it. I was still barefoot and it was absolutely gorgeous outside, we went ahead and cooked up some of Tyler's dads awesome Chili Dogs. These were super simple, as well. Chili Cheese Dogs by Tyler Florence Eat This Book p. 186 slightly adapted Extra virgin olive oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 pound lean ground beef 1 c. ketchup 1 tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. prepared yellow mustard Negra Modelo- few glugs Himalayan Pink Sea Salt freshly ground black pepper 4 hot dogs 4 hot dog rolls 1/2 c. grated Cheddar cheese Put a skillet over medium heat and drizzle in a 2-count of olive oil When the oil gets hazy, add the onion and cook, stirring, until it is soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with the back of a spoon, and cook until nicely browned, about 10 more minutes. Stir in the ketchup, chili powder and mustard and simmer for 15 minutes, or until thickened. Season with salt and pepper. Don't forget to add your extra ingredients (my additions), a few good glugs of negra modelo (before simmering) and the Pink Himalayan sea salt to season. Cook your hot dogs on the grill, or know what...any way you like them. Put your dog in your bun, spoon over the hot chili and sprinkle with cheese. Dig in! I actually forgot to take any photos until I had already bitten in (I was so excited to eat them). So, two great Food Network personalities and chefs, one post....double duty! Be sure to head over to Tyler Florence Fridays to find out what everybody else cooked up with Tyler! If you haven't entered my giveaway for the month of May yet, be sure to head on over and do so, it'll only take a minute :)

Would you like to comment?

  1. two birds with one stone is usually easier said than done...looks like you pulled it off!

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  2. Well done.

    Neither Sweetie-Pi nor I eat hardly any kind of fish, but if I do eat it, I agree with you, it has to be SUPER fresh.

    LOL, your husband and my Sweetie both agree about the well done steaks. That just seems so wrong!

    Chili dogs! YUM We were just talking about those the other day, wishing we had a couple. Now I see your delicious post and I want them more than ever!

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  3. The salad looks wonder and the chili cheese dogs will have guys jumping for joy. Thanks for sharing.

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  4. Looks great to me! I love tuna. We bought some one time right off of a fishing boat at the Oregon Coast. It was so fresh and so tasty!

    The Chili Dog looks awesome too!

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  5. yum!!! that tuna salad sounds amazing! i could totally eat a ton of it :)

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  6. I have some tuna in the fridge that I had bought to make some Indian style fish cakes(we call them "cutlets").Now I'm in two minds-gosh,never knew cooking was such a difficult thing!!

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  7. Both recipes look great to me - the 2nd tuna steak I've seen today (I'm just starting to discover all the food challenges out there :o)

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  8. The hot dogs look great - I saw him do that in an episode when I was home from work one day.

    I would demolish that tuna salad though. Definitely too bad about the avocado, but hey, next time!

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  9. Looks great! My girlfriend is the same way with wanting things well done. It can be... difficult. Heh.

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  10. Oh Yummy on both...I have not had a good hot dog in a while! I love chili!

    Now you tell me about the launch party! I will have to share with my friend, so if he gets invited I will tag along with camera...

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  11. You are one busy girl!! There is no way for me to choose which one I would like to eat so I will take both please.

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  12. All of them look great! I especially want that tuna salad!!!

    Funny my verification word is "serve"

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  13. You did - both????????? And masterly I must say. Husband-person adores his tuna - so this look like something he may fall in love with me again for. Both meals are wonderful - impressive.

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  14. two of my fav cooks in one post! the gourmet, and the casual! AWESOME! my head is spinning!

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  15. How's it hangin' in The Bend? I grew up not far from there.

    Both recipes look yummy. I love chili cheese dogs and if I'm going to eat tuna salad I'd hope for this one. Sounds delicious!

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  16. Both the salad and the chili dogs look great! And now I am craving that chili dog! Glad you were able to find the tuna. I had it in my head that it ws ahi too. ;-)

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  17. Awesome dishes! I love the tuna salad - and gorgeous grill marks on the tuna too!

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  18. tuna salad and chili dogs - you're cracking me up, my healthy side is drooling over your salad - the not so healthy, well let's just say it's plotting to over throw the healthy in favor of the chili dogs :)

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  19. Sounds great! We love grilled tuna... I will have to try it!

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  20. I am such a fan of Barefoot Contessa! Her recipe's are amazing! This looks like a great meal!

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  21. I'm so happy you're back with TFF this week!! I can appreciate the whole hubby not liking seafood and not eating it raw. I have a hubby like that too! I keep trying to convert him to a foodie. It's taken several years but he's improving.
    The chili dogs look outstanding!! I really love a good chili dog. Both Tyler and Ina are my favorite food network chefs. Great post!!

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  22. I love Ina's tuna salad! I even went out and bought wasabi for the occasion. The chili dogs look great too.

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  23. I am the same way with fish! I had one bad experience and that was enough for me. I have been buying frozen fish-the kind that they freeze right on the boat at sea. I don't trust my markets anymore! Anywhoo - the salad looks great. And I haven't had a chili dog in so long! They look mad good!

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  24. that tuna salad sounds Amazing!!! My aunt lives in IN (Columbus) and when we go to visit was always bring fresh seafood.

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  25. This looks delish!! I can't my hubby to try tuna steak... So its never been in my house, I just order it out. But I bet i can sneak this in his lunch... tee-hee

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  26. Beautifully prepared tuna salad and chili hot dogs are one of my favorite. Great post.
    Sam

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  27. I haven't had a chili cheese dog in ages. Thanks for the reminder!

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  28. You are amazing that your were able to get both of these done and done so wonderfully! What a combination though gourment tuna salad and chili dogs! You are my hero!

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  29. Mmmm, suddenly craving chili cheese dog. Reminds me of Corner Gas, do you get that down there?

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  30. Tuna steaks are GOOD things. The salad looks great.

    I like chili cheese dogs in theory more than in actuality. Mainly because I don't like hot dogs or ketchup. BUT I bet if I subbed the ketchup with some tomato or bbq sauce and I made it with sausage rather than a hot dog, I would LOVE it.

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  31. Well I'd have helped you eat the tuna and let my kids and hubby have chili dogs with your hubby. Silly men, wanting to overcook their fish and meat like that!

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  32. The tuna looks divine but the hotdog makes me remember I haven't had a great hotdog in some time & the Modelo makes it sound too yummy! I'm with Moses the kitty food inspector on these! Looks delicious!

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  33. Mmmmm! Both dishes look wonderful! Congrats for a double hitter!! We were hungry for chili dogs just the other night...I'm saving this one! Thanks for sharing!!

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  34. I want one of your chili cheese dogs. Now. :) We barbecued for Mother's Day and had chili cheese dogs, along with burgers, but we used canned chili. They were still good, though.

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  35. I just finished reading another version of this on Foodwanderlust's site. Your dish looks marvelous and thanks for the suggested wine pairing!

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  36. Oh my goodness, your pictures are such a feast for the eyes. I don't know what I want to dig into more, they both look so incredible!

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  37. I love a food blog that I can see chili dogs on - one of my secret food passions that will never go away!

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  38. OMG, that last photo of the chili cheese dog!!! Man, I could dig right in. And with the beer in the background...girli, you've got my number!

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  39. Yum! I love fish. Tuna, onions and avocado sound so amazing for a dip or spread.

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