Tuna A La Marseillaise

This recipe came from a super cook book, “Mediterranean light” by Martha Rose Shulman.  I had originally planned tuna casserole for tonight but dropped the above mentioned cookbook on my foot while rushing around for work this morning and it fell open to page 285, “Tuna A La Marseillaise”.  It had to be a sign. So I went downstairs and told Ted…”We’re not having tuna casserole tonight, we are having Tuna A La Marseillaise”.  His response was identical to when I told him we were having tuna casserole …”Sounds good“.  Sometimes his enthusiasm kills me.

Tuna A La Marseillaise, Serves 2- 3 (Recipe cut in 1/2)

The Sauce

• 1/2  TBS olive oil
• 1/4 large onion, finely chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and chopped
• 1/4 cup capers, rinsed and chopped or mashed
• 1 1/4 lbs (5 to 6) tomatoes, chopped
• ground pepper to taste
• The fish:  you need 2 tuna steaks, about 4 to 6 oz. *Squeeze a lemon over the top and let sit for 15 minutes. Salt and pepper before grilling.

Sauce Preparation:

Heat the oil in a large skillet and add the onion. Saute for 3 -4 minutes, add garlic and capers. Saute for an additional 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes and let cook over medium – low heat for 25 minutes. Stir occasionally. *I added a couple of fresh basil leaves, shredded to the sauce.

Cooking the fish:  Either grill or saute.  We grilled. Brush the fish with olive oil and cook on a medium high grill for about 4 minutes per every 1/2 inch of thickness.  Turn halfway thru grilling. * Ted grilled our tuna as follows: For him = 5 min / side. For me = 6 min / side.  The tuna steaks we had were very large. In fact, we have enough left over for another dinner.

Serve the fish topped with the prepared sauce. The sauce is a must with this recipe. The capers and tomatoes compliment each other beautifully in this dish.  Nutrition approximations: Calories = 288. Fat = 12 g. Carbs = 10 g. Protein = 35 g  

We will be preparing for visitors who are due to arrive about 1 AM Friday morning (that’s in about 5 hours). Yes, I said …1 AM!  Shane will have a minor fit. But it will be Ted who gets up as Mary Jane, Ted’s sister, is flying in from Las Vegas with her daughter, Angelina for a short stay.  The occasion? Richard’s retirement party is this weekend.  Make sure to check in on Saturday (I hope) as I post the special occasion retirement cake.  I’m experimenting on the family so fingers crossed that all goes well.  Here’s a hint: Richard loves chocolate!

For more on grilled tuna,