Tuna Steaks Nicoise

After a little bit of trial and error, I have finally mastered tuna steaks - seared on the outside and rare on the inside. I've gotten in a bit of a rut, however, always making them with either a crust of sesame seeds or cracked pepper.

Last night I broke out of that rut, and was very pleased with the results. I covered the seared tuna steaks with a saute of olives, capers and grape tomatoes.

Tuna Steaks Nicoise

2 fresh tuna steaks, each approximately 6 to 8 ounces and 1" thick. Rectangular shaped steaks will cook more evenly and quicker then those with a triangular shape. If you end up with one of each shape start the triangular steak first.

1 minced shallot

1 large garlic clove, minced

3 Tbsps. pitted Kalamata olives, cut in half lengthwise

1 Tbsps. capers

1/2 cup grape tomatoes, cut in half lengthwise

1 tbsp. dry vermouth or white wine

1 tsp. herbs de provence

3 tbsps. vegetable oil

kosher salt

black pepper

It is best to use a non-stick skillet for this recipe.

Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in skillet over medium high heat. Add shallots and garlic. Saute until softened. Remove from pan and reserve. Increase the heat to high, and add the remaining vegetable oil. You may not need all of the oil if there is still a fair amount remaining in the pan. When the oil is hot add the tuna steaks. Cook on high heat for 30 seconds, then decrease the heat to medium high and cook for an additional 2 minutes. Sprinkle the exposed side of the steaks liberally with the salt and pepper. Flip the steaks and cook for an additional 2 minutes (sprinkle the newly exposed side with salt and pepper). Stand the steaks on each long side and cook for an additional 30 seconds on each side (if the steaks will not stay up you may need to hold them with tongs). Remove the steaks to a plate, and tent with foil to keep warm. The steaks will continue to cook while off the heat, so complete the next steps quickly if you want your tuna very rare!

Wipe or pour any excess grease from the skillet. Deglaze the pan with the vermouth or white wine. Add all of the remaining ingredients except the herbs de provence, and quickly saute until heated through. Add in the herbs de provence. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning (salt & pepper) if necessary. Top the steaks with the sauce and enjoy.

Good accompaniments to this dish are simply sauteed broccoli and rice or couscous.

A Costco Adventure

For a long time I resisted joining a warehouse store. What was the point of driving twenty minutes to get a few bargains? Finally, at the urging of my children who tasted Costco goodies at the homes of friends, I relented. Now, after two years of occasional shopping, I can attest that there are some wonderful and tasty bargains at the big box stores. I've misplaced my receipt, so some of the following prices may be off, but I promise, they are bargains.

Carolina's top ten list of tasty Costco Bargains.

1) Buffalo Mozzarella - when I first started buying this it was $9.99 for a container of six balls. The price is now up to $13.99, but this is still a bargain. Be warned - fresh mozzarella has a relatively short shelf life, so be prepared to consume this quickly.

2) Mini, multi-colored sweet peppers. I occasionally see small packages of these peppers at Trader Joes at a much higher cost. Two pounds of these incredibly sweet and cute peppers will only set you back $6.99. Spray lightly with olive oil then toss on the grill for a few minutes.

3) Romaine Lettuce - sold in five packs for $3.99, my biggest challenge is fitting the package into my refrigerator. As an alternative to a tossed or Caesar salad, try cutting the heads in half lengthwise, spraying lightly with olive oil, then quickly grilling (cut side down). Squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top, add a little grated Parmesan cheese and capers for an easy change from salad.

4) Curly's Baby Back Ribs - Though I love to grill, I've never had much success with "barbecue." We usually go to a local smokehouse. That is until I discovered these pre-cooked ribs. My local supermarket does not carry this brand, and I've been very disappointed in the brands that were available. Curly's ribs are very, very meaty. My teenage son, who typically polishes off an entire rack when we go out, rarely manages more than two-thirds of a Curly's rack. The leftovers don't last long. We cut the meat off the ribs, warm it quickly in the microwave, then throw it on a bun for a riblet sandwich. These racks are found in the refrigerator section for $14.99. They freeze well as packaged.

5) Fresh Berries - the bargains are seasonal, but large clam shells of raspberries, strawberries and blueberries are usually half the price of your local supermarket.

6) Frozen Ahi Tuna - fresh tuna at my supermarket is typically $18 to $20 per pound. Costco sells 3 pound bags of sashimi grade tuna. Each piece of tuna is flash frozen and individually vacuum packed. A bag typically contains six to eight pieces. Price: $17 to $18 per bag. I've had great success with these tuna steaks both on the grill and in the fry pan.

7) Nestle's chocolate chips. Well, depending on how much you like to bake these 4.5 pound bags may not be the best use of your storage space, but they are a bargain. They also have a ziploc seal to make them easier to use. If you get tired of chocolate chip cookies, these chips are also great for making chocolate dipped strawberries or a chocolate fondue.

8) Fresh Veal Loin Chops - Veal is so expensive, and my local Whole Foods rarely has these loin chops. The same cut as a porterhouse or T-bone steak, at $10.99 a pound these chops are a great treat. A little kosher salt and a few minutes on the grill makes me feel like I'm at a top notch steak house. Crimini mushrooms sauteed in olive oil with garlic make a great side.

9) Fresh Vegetables - the values change with the season, and everything is only available in large quantities, so make sure you really can use that three pounds of asparagus before you are seduced by the bargain. You'll recognize these brands from your local supermarket. My favorite buys: asparagus, baby carrots, mixed baby greens, and green beans.

10) Fresh seafood - my experience is limited and the results mixed. This week I bought fantastic looking scallops for $10.99 a pound. Unfortunately, they shrank considerably when cooked which indicates they had a lot of water added. I had better luck with the king crab legs. At $9.99 per pound, two legs made a fun addition to a mixed grill. The legs are cooked prior to freezing. They are sold thawed and are easily warmed in the oven or on the grill.