Tuna Tartare Bites

Since I started working for Seattle Fish, I've had access to amazing fish and seafood. The first thing I brought home from the office was #1 yellowfin tuna (best stuff money can buy...in my eyes).  You can purchase sushi grade tuna online at Chef's Fresh Fish and have it on our door tomorrow morning. A few simple ingredients and some time in the fridge will make a beautifully flavored topping for rice crackers or cucumber slices.  Skip the chips and dip at your next party...and take it up a notch.

Ingredients

-1/2 lb (about 8 ounces) sushi grade tuna

-2 Tbsp toasted sesame oil

-juice of 1/2 lime

-splash of unseasoned rice vinegar

-2 Tbsp soy sauce

-1 Tbsp minced cilantro

-1 Tbsp Sriracha sauce

-1 avacado, diced

-rice crackers or 1 seedless cucumber to serve

Crispy Oven Baked French Fries

I don't know how many times I've tried to bake potato wedges or sticks do end up with a soggy mess.  How to you get the crispiness of deep-fried french fries in the oven? Gwyneth Paltrow's trick is to soak the potato slices in ice cold water before baking! Sure enough...it works...everytime. This is my new favorite side dish for black bean or Turkey Burgers.  Serve with some Sriracha Ketchup to heat it up.

Ingredients:

-2-3 large russet potatoes (you can peel if you want)
-2 Tbsp olive oil
-1 Tbsp sea salt

Equipment Needed:

-parchment paper to help prevent sticking
-large bowl of ice water

Homemade Nut Butter

I recently sat down with the owners of local food truck Hey PB&J here in Denver and asked them, "what is the trick to homemade nut butter?"  Nothing. It couldn't be easier to make your own peanut butter, almond butter, pistachio butter...you name it. The ratios are pretty much the same, it just needs a bit of tweaking depending on the natural oil content of the nuts.  I always have a jar on hand to spread on toast in the morning.  This version uses whole roasted almonds for almond butter...a sweeter version of peanut butter. 

Ingredients:

-2 cups whole nuts (I used almonds)

-1/8-1/4 cup peanut oil depending on the natural oil content of the nuts

-pinch of sea salt

Equipment Needed

-Vitamix (or other powerful blender) or food processor