African Adobo-Rubbed Tuna Steaks

Adobo means spice rub or marinade, and this particular recipe was introduced by African slaves and brought to Bahía in Brazil in the 17th century. This recipe is from Epicurious.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 4

Ingredients

• For the avocado salsa

• 2  ripe avocados, pitted, peeled, and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 3  scallions, white and green parts, thinly sliced on the bias
• 2  jarred  piquillo peppers, diced (or substitute 2 jarred roasted red peppers)
• 2  garlic cloves, minced
• 1⁄3 cup  fresh orange juice
• 1⁄4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil
•  kosher  salt & freshly ground black pepper

• For the adobo

• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  coriander seeds, toasted and ground
• 1  teaspoon ground ginger
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, crushed
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground turmeric
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons dry mustard
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons  grated nutmeg
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons ground allspice
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons fresh ground black pepper
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons kosher salt
• 1  tablespoon paprika
• 1 1⁄2 tablespoons  dried orange peel
• 1  tablespoon sugar
•  four 6-ounce tuna steak
• 1⁄4 cup  peanut oil or 1⁄4 cup canola oil

• For the cucumbers

• 2 1⁄2 tablespoons sugar
• 1⁄2 cup champagne vinegar
• 1  seedless European cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and very thinly sliced

Directions

1. For the salsa:
2. In a medium bowl, combine the diced avocados, scallions, peppers, and garlic. In another bowl, whisk together the orange and lime juices, olive oil, and salt and pepper. Pour over the avocado mixture and gently toss. Refrigerate for 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, for the cucumbers: Mix the sugar and vinegar in a bowl, stirring well. Add the cucumbers and allow to marinate for about 15 minutes.
4. To serve, arrange the cucumber in neat slices across each plate. Slice the tuna and lay it over the cucumbers. Spoon the avocado salsa on top of or around the tuna. Spoon a little of the pickling juices around the cucumbers, and serve. (Sometimes I add a little grated orange zest for garnish as well.)
5. For the adobo:
6. Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl.
7. Rub each of the tuna steaks with 1 1/2 teaspoons of the oil and sprinkle generously with the adobo. (Reserve any extra adobo spice rub for another use.) In a nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil until it begins to smoke. Sear the tuna on each side for only 1 minute — the tuna is served rare. Transfer to a plate and set aside.