Tuna Coriander (feat. Andrew Kurban)

Now that I'm back at school, I'm back to reality. Seriously, reality means work, responsibility, and awful weather. Last week was such a tease. Reality also means being so lazy that I drive everywhere due to the cold. I walked to Arabic today, which was a feat. I drove everywhere else. ...

Friday was a beautiful day. I saw a friend from high school, Lexy, who I hadn't seen since May and we smoked hookah and watched Aladdin and cooked with my eccentric (gharib) father. Drinks were consumed (made by pops), food was eaten, bellies were full.

A few scrolls down is a recipe my dad made for our Italian cousins when they came to visit in August and wanted to try Boston seafood. So, naturally, instead of going to a restaurant, my dad decides to design and execute a 9-course meal (I aspire to one day have his skills).

I felt really bad for Lexy as she was the sous-chef and my dad is a very harsh critic and likes things done a very...particular way. I've experienced being his sous-chef many times and let me tell you--it is stressful. There's lots of yelling, mainly in Arabic, many tutorials on how to correctly chop carrots, and me refusing to ever touch celery (they make me cry like onions do). But Lexy was a champ and rather enjoyed the lesson, bonding with my dad over little artistic details in the new room. I sat off to the side, in charge of the music. My dad even chastised me over that (jk pops ana 7ebbo!). But really, he did.

"You're NOT supposed to have it without the sauce!!" -Andrew Kurban, circa August 2011

I haven't really cooked yet since I've been at school. I made a TVP black bean chili last night but I forgot to put in the spices so it came out kind of bland. I had cereal for dessert (9 different kinds, of course). And then today I wasn't feeling the chili so I ordered Baingan Bharta from Tandoor. So delicious. Obviously the right choice. Unfortunately, I forgot my computer charger at home (go me), so I couldn't watch Mad Men (I'm 6 episodes behind fhadsjklh) and promptly decided to actually get my homework done before midnight.

It didn't happen.

So now, I'm blogging instead of reading Kalila wa Dimna for Arabic tomorrow. Those stories are so gruesome. There's one about a pigeon who kills his wife but then realize he was wrong about accusing her and so he killed himself. I can't believe these are children's stories.

Anyway, without further ado, here is the recipe.

"I mixed the celery into yours and you didn't even notice!! See?? You like celery!!" -Andrew Kurban, circa March 2012

Tuna Coriander with Soba Buckwheat Noodles
Ingredients

• 2 c carrots, julienned
• 1/2 c celery, julienned
• 1 c red onions, julienned
• 1/4 c cucumber
• 1/4 c mayonnaise
• 3 T fresh ginger
• 8 tsp minced garlic
• 8 scallions, chopped
• 1/2 c soy sauce
• 5 T minced jalapeños, seeds and membranes removed
• mirin, to taste
• rice vinegar, to taste
• 1 lb. buckwheat soba noodles
• 1/2 c ground coriander
• 1/4 c kosher salt
• 1/4 c ground pepper, coarse
• red pepper flakes
• 2.5 lbs albacore tuna loin, chilled
• grapeseed oil

Instructions

1. Place the carrots, celery, onions, cucumbers into a bowl and set aside.
2. Mix together the mayonnaise, ginger, garlic, green onions, soy sauce, jalapeños, mirin, and rice vinegar to taste (add to get the consistency you want).
3. Add the vegetables to the noodles and toss. Pour the sauce onto the noodles and toss well until the sauce and vegetables are distributed throughout.
4. To prepare the tuna, place the coriander, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes in a small bowl and mix well. Slice the chilled tuna in half lengthwise to form two cylinders of tuna. Rub the spice mixture onto the round portion (not the ends) of the tuna pieces, being sure to spread it evenly on all sides.
5. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Carefully add the tuna pieces and sear for 2 minutes on each side. The tuna should be opaque on the outside, but still raw ion the inside--lower the heat if the tuna starts to brown too quickly.
6. Cut tuna into large slabs/slices and arrange on top of noodles.

"I could really go for that right now." -me, circa now

Song of the Day-- Falsehood by Vijay Iyer, Prasanna, and Nitin Mitta. Absolutely beautiful--the piano and guitar mesh perfectly.

Recovery News of the Day-- Pinterest banned Thinspo boards! About time.

Okay I'm exhausted and want to go to bed, but unfortunately I have a gruesome Arabic story to read.

-Carina