Seared Ahi Lettuce Wraps

I have always wanted to make seared ahi, but I was a little intimidated by it.  I wish I had tried a long time ago....it was actually really easy and SOOOOO good.  This would make a great appetizer, but for two people it was a meal.

One 8 to 10 oz. ahi tuna steak

1/4 cup soy sauce

2 TBS honey

2 TBS mirin

2TBS rice vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

1 tsp ground ginger

1 tsp ground pepper

1/4 cup sesame seeds

1 TBS vegetable oil

Head of butter lettuce

1 carrot, peeled and shredded

1 scallion sliced thin

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

1 avocado, peeled and diced

1 cup cooked brown rice

In a shallow dish whisk together the soy sauce, honey, mirin, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and pepper.  Add the ahi and let it marindae in the fridge for at least an hour.  Place the sesame seeds on a plate or in a shallow dish.  Press the marinated ahi in to the sesame seeds.  Turn the ahi to coat it in the sesame seeds.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large skillet....you want it super hot...the oil should be starting to ripple, and about to smoke.  Add the ahi and let it sear for about a minute each side.  Remove from the pan and let cool for 5-10 minutes.  Slice against the grain. 

Use one lettuce leaf as your "cup".  Place a few spoonfuls of brown rice in the cup.  Top it with carrot, scallion, cilantro, avocado, and place a few slices of the ahi on top.

For a dipping sauce combine 3 TBS soy sauce, 1 TBS rice vinegar, a tsp sesame oil, a tsp honey, a tsp garlic salt, and a pinch of crushed red pepper.