This delightful combination of tender vegetable risotto, crispy potato sticks, and a perfectly cooked tuna steak is topped with a rich bacon-black pepper sauce. It perfectly balances freshness and indulgence, offering a gourmet experience to impress your guests.
Preparation Time
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cooking Time: 40 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
Ingredients (Serves Four People)
For the Vegetable Risotto
- 1 cup Arborio rice
- 1 large carrot, finely diced
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/2 cup white wine
- 4 cups vegetable broth, warm
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Crispy Potato Sticks
- 2 medium potatoes, julienned (super thin sticks)
- Sunflower or vegetable oil for frying
- Salt to taste
For the Tuna Steak
- 4 fresh tuna steaks
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- Salt to taste
For the Bacon-Black Pepper Sauce
- 100g bacon, finely chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/2 cup cream
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, coarsely ground
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (optional)
- Salt to taste
1 tablespoon is circa 15 ml, and a teaspoon is circa 5 ml.
Preparation Method
Step 1: Prepare the Vegetable Risotto
- Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and sauté until translucent, about 3-4 minutes.
- Stir in the diced carrot, red bell pepper, and celery, cooking for another 5 minutes until slightly softened.
- Add the Arborio rice, stirring constantly for about 2 minutes until the rice becomes lightly toasted.
- Pour in the white wine and allow it to simmer until mostly absorbed about 1-2 minutes.
- Gradually add the vegetable broth, one ladle at a time, stirring constantly. Wait for each addition to be absorbed before adding more. Continue this process for 18-20 minutes until the rice is creamy and tender but still slightly firm to the bite.
- Stir in the chopped parsley, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from heat and keep warm.
Step 2: Fry the Potato Sticks
- Heat sunflower or vegetable oil in a deep skillet or frying pan over medium heat.
- Pat the julienned potatoes dry with paper towels, ensuring they are as dry as possible to avoid splattering.
- Fry the potato sticks in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per batch. Use a slotted spoon to remove them from the oil and place them on paper towels to drain. Season with salt immediately.
Step 3: Cook the Tuna Steaks
- Melt the butter in a separate pan over medium heat. Season the tuna steaks with salt, black pepper, and red pepper flakes.
- Sear the tuna steaks in the butter for 2 minutes per side for medium-rare or until cooked to your preferred doneness. Remove from the heat and keep warm.
Step 4: Prepare the Bacon-Black Pepper Sauce
- Add the finely chopped bacon in the same pan where you cooked the tuna and cook until crispy, about 4-5 minutes. Remove the bacon and set aside, leaving the rendered fat in the pan.
- Add the minced garlic to the pan and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Stir in the butter and cream, and bring to a simmer.
- Add the black pepper, red pepper flakes (optional), and cooked bacon. Season with salt to taste. Simmer for another 2-3 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.
Step 5: Assemble the Dish
- Serve the vegetable risotto in a neat mound on each plate.
- Top the risotto with a handful of crispy potato sticks for a delightful crunch.
- Place a perfectly cooked tuna steak beside the risotto.
- Drizzle the bacon-black pepper sauce over the tuna, allowing some to spill onto the risotto for extra flavor.
Tips and Tricks
- Tuna Steak: Be careful not to overcook the tuna, as it can become dry. Medium-rare tuna is best served for optimal flavor and texture.
- Crispy Potatoes: Ensure the potatoes are dehydrated before frying to ensure maximum crispiness and minimal splattering.
- Vegetable Options: For a more colorful and flavorful variation, swap or add vegetables such as zucchini or peas to the risotto.
Serving Suggestions
Pair this dish with a light green salad or steamed vegetables for a complete meal. A lemon wedge on the side can add a touch of brightness to the tuna and balance the sauce’s richness.
Wine Pairing
A crisp white wine pairs beautifully with this seafood dish. Here are two excellent options:
- Sauvignon Blanc: With its bright acidity and citrus notes, this wine cuts through the richness of the tuna and bacon sauce.
- Chardonnay (Unoaked): A lighter, unoaked Chardonnay complements the creamy risotto and brings out the fresh flavors of the vegetables.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 650 kcal
- Protein: 38g
- Fat: 35g
- Carbohydrates: 45g
- Fiber: 4g
- Sodium: 600mg
Dietary Modifications
- Gluten-Free: Ensure that your stock and bacon are gluten-free.
- Low-Carb: Replace the risotto with a cauliflower rice option to reduce carbohydrates.
- Vegetarian: For a vegetarian version, substitute the tuna steak with grilled halloumi and remove the bacon from the sauce.
About This Recipe
This dish balances rich and fresh flavors, combining vegetable risotto’s mild, creamy texture with the crispy contrast of fried potato sticks. The tuna steak is a luxurious centerpiece, enhanced by a robust bacon-black pepper sauce that adds depth and indulgence to the plate.
This combination makes for a complete, elevated meal, perfect for dinner parties or special occasions. With its colorful vegetable risotto, the crunch of potato sticks, and the smooth, delicate tuna steak, this dish appeals to your taste buds and sense of elegance.
Cultural Context
While the pairing of risotto and seafood is found across various Mediterranean cuisines, this particular dish draws influence from Italian and French traditions. The creamy risotto is a classic Italian comfort food, while the seared tuna, with its minimal preparation and robust sauce, reflects French culinary elegance.
Tuna is a prized ingredient in Mediterranean cooking, where fresh, quality seafood takes center stage. This recipe perfectly fuses two culinary traditions, celebrating fresh seafood with vibrant vegetables and a hint of indulgence from the rich sauce.
In many coastal cultures, seafood is often paired with rice or grains to create a balanced and filling meal. This dish brings that timeless combination into a modern setting, allowing the tuna to shine alongside complementary flavors and textures.
