Spicy Tuna Ciabatta Burger

I love unique burgers. Don't get me wrong I wont ever turn down a traditional cheeseburger, but I also love trying to find new types of burgers. Restaurants that make great veggie, portabella, chicken, turkey and fish burgers are my favorite. Recently, I visited the new burger bar on South Congress in Austin called Hop Doddy. We tried the Buffalo Bill burger (bison, blue cheese, hot sauce, bacon) and my new favorite burger ever the Ahi Tuna burger (tuna, sprouts, teriyaki, honey wasabi, nori chips, pickled ginger). Both were great but the tuna burger had the most unique flavor that has kept me craving it for weeks.

Tonight I made my own version of this burger using what I had in my fridge, to hold me over until next time I can visit Hop Doddy.

Care's Spicy Tuna Ciabatta Burger
-good quality ahi tuna
-ciabatta roll
-pesto (see yesterday's post for homemade recipe)
-wasabi lime sauce (found by the mustard in grocery store)
-cilantro, micro greens or sprouts
-spinach

Heat a skillet on medium high and pour a little olive oil in. Pat the tuna dry and season with salt and pepper.
Sear the tuna on both sides for about 1-2 min each. You should still see a bit of pink in the very middle.
While tuna is searing cut the ciabatta roll in half and put pesto on one side and wasabi on the other. Layer the greens and place the tuna on top. Cut in half and enjoy!

Valentine's Dinner at Home

Cooking dinner with a special someone can be as romantic as a fancy meal at a restaurant any day. I love opening a bottle of wine, turning on some great tunes and cooking a great meal. Involve your significant other in the menu planning, grocery shopping, and food prep (even if its just moral support in the kitchen). Cooking together creates a bond and makes a great meal even more special. When the meal is ready, dim the lights, light a candle, bring out your good china and celebrate your hard work together. Having a little wine with dinner will make doing the dishes go by a bit faster too. So this year instead of paying too much to eat at a crowded restaurant with tons of awkward couples, stay in and make a romantic meal together. Here's my pick for a great date night at home:

Pesto Pasta
-Whole wheat noodles (I used penne)
-1 cup pesto (store bought or home made- my recipe below)
-1 cup frozen peas
-1/4 cup sour cream, greek yogurt, or blue cheese dressing (something to make the sauce a bit creamy)
-1/2 pound bulk spicy sausage
-1/4 to 1/2 cup parmesan cheese
-salt, pepper, garlic to taste
 

Cook the pasta in salted water according to package instructions.

While pasta is cooking, brown the sausage in a tall skillet or sauce pan. Once sausage is brown add the peas and cook for 1-2 min. Add the pesto. As it warms the pesto should thin out creating a sauce. Add your creamy addition (optional) and 1/4 cup parmesan cheese. Slowly add a bit of the starchy pasta water to thin the sauce out.

Drain the noodles (reserve 1/2 cup of cooking water) and place back into the pot you cooked them in. Pour the sauce over top of the noodles and use the cooking water to thin out if needed. Salt and pepper to taste. Top servings with parmesan.

Homemade Pesto
With pesto you can really change it up depending on what you have in your fridge. This recipe is based on ingredients I had left from other meals. As you mix just keep tasting for the texture and consistency you want.

-4 cups baby spinach
-1 cup basil
-1 bunch chives
-5 sage leaves
-1/2 cup olive oil (stream in a little a time - may not need this much)
-1/2 cup parmesan cheese (add a little at a time)
-sun dried tomatoes
-3 cloves fresh garlic
-jalapeno
-salt, pepper, red chili flakes to taste

Mix all ingredients in a food processor or blender and stream the olive oil in until the pesto reaches the consistency you desire.
You can also add:
-pine nuts
-walnuts
-cilantro
-olives
-peppers
-hot sauce, etc