Seared Tuna & Sweetcorn Salsa

This recipe uses a Mexican comal or a flat cast iron griddle (a non-stick pan can be used as well). The idea is partially to cook the vegetables whilst charring the outside in the Mexican way. In particular, tomatoes are often charred before turning into a sauce. Here the cherry tomatoes are a reminder of this technique. If the vegetables become too black, scrape off the burnt bits or keep them on for an authentic character. Fresh tuna steaks are best when under-cooked, so it is important to “sear” the tuna quickly with a very hot pan, otherwise cook according to individual tastes.

1. Cook the vegetables. Slice the onion and fennel into one large slice each about 7mm thick. Cut the pepper so it will lay flat. Trim the chilli (remove the seeds and membrane to reduce the heat if desired). Using a cast iron or non-stick pan on high heat cook the cob of corn, onion, fennel, pepper, cherry tomatoes, chilli and garlic clove until evenly charred – remove pieces from the pan that cook the quickest. Set all the vegetables aside to cool. NB: Keep the cherry tomatoes separate.
2. Prepare the vine tomato. Plunge the tomato into boiling water for 10 seconds and then peel off the skin, cool, and cut into quarters. Remove the seeds and membranes and strain into a large bowl.
3. Prepare the vegetables. Peel the garlic and mash with the side of a knife and put in the bowl with the strained tomato juice. Cut the kernels from the cob, slice the olives, chop the remaining charred vegetables and the vine tomato to an even size and place all in the bowl. Add the olive oil and lime juice and mix. Season well with salt and pepper and add more lime or chilli sauce to taste. Chop the coriander and set aside.
4. Cook the tuna. Season the tuna on all sides with salt and pepper and oregano. The oregano should coat the tuna. Heat a pan on high heat and when very hot add the tuna. Cook until the tuna is cooked just under a quarter of the way up the sides of the tuna steak (the cooked tuna is white and opaque), then turn over, and cook no more than a minute. Using tongs briefly char the sides and end of the steak. Wrap the tuna loosely in foil to rest.
5. Serve. Slice the tuna at an angle with a very sharp carving knife and arrange on plates. Mix the coriander into the salsa and arrange next to the tuna. Arrange the cherry tomatoes next to the salsa. Serve with lime wedges.