For weeks I’ve been thinking about avocado and mango slices together on a plate. I know, there’s no end to my exciting food thoughts. 😉
Gorgeous and delicious, sweet and creamy, they’re both at the tippy top of my favorite foods list(s).
Pairing up with peppery, savory, seared Ahi, turns these two beauties into a scrumptious, summer appetizer that will for sure wow your guests.
And you!
And now I’m thinking I really need to get lemon and lavender together on a plate — actually, a bowl. Stay tuned.
Enjoy!
- 1 ½-pound sushi grade Ahi tuna fillet (see notes)
- Grape seed oil for the pan
- 1 Ataulfo mango see notes
- ½ large ripe avocado
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper see notes
- Drizzle of Tamari if desired
- About 2 teaspoons finely chopped chives
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Place the Ahi fillet on a clean, dry plate.
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Lightly sprinkle all of the sides with sea salt, then either sprinkle or grind black pepper directly onto the top and bottom surfaces of the fillets. The pepper should be a thin, but generous layer.
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Coat a small sauté pan with grape seed oil and place it over high heat.
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Once the pan is very hot, add the Ahi and sear each side until it's only cooked through ⅛ to ¼-inch, 1 minute or less per side. (If you don't hear a sizzling sound when the tuna hits the pan, it's not hot enough -- wait for the sizzle!)
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Remove the seared tuna from the pan and place it on a clean plate. Once it has cooled completely, cut it into thin, evenly sized slices -- about ¼-inch each. Set aside. (You should have at least 14 slices.)
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Cut the mango into halves. Then, slice each half into approximately 14 evenly sized slices, about ¼-inch each. HERE'S HOW TO CUT A MANGO.
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Cut the avocado into halves. Then, horizontally, slice the half into approximately 14 evenly sized slices, about ¼-inch each. HERE'S HOW TO CUT AN AVOCADO.
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Arrange the Ahi, mango, and avocado slices evenly between two appetizer plates -- I like alternating them, but arrange them any way you'd like to.
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Drizzle with a bit of Tamari if desired, and sprinkle with the chives.
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Serve immediately, or cover the plates with plastic wrap, drizzle the avocados with a bit of lemon juice, and refrigerate them until you're ready. (Up to an hour or so.)
Ideally the Ahi tuna fillet is more or less a square -- you can trim it to be as close to the fruit slices as you can, if that's important to you.
Ataulfo mangoes are my favorite, but use any variety you like -- as long as they're perfectly ripe.
If you can get your hands on some, I love Kampot pepper on my Ahi. Here's why.
sippitysup says
June 10, 2014 at 10:01 pmThat is a lovely plate of flavors (and colors). GREG
valentina says
June 10, 2014 at 11:30 pmThank you, my friend. 🙂
John says
June 12, 2014 at 3:49 amI will make this as soon as I receive the Kampot pepper I just ordered. Thank you for that information, and for your beautiful blog!
valentina says
June 12, 2014 at 5:32 amThank you so much, John! I hope you love the pepper as much as I do. I even use it in cookies. 🙂
Patricia@FreshFoodinaFlash says
June 12, 2014 at 5:43 amLove this idea. I want to make this in Hawaii when we go there at the end of the month!
valentina says
June 12, 2014 at 5:38 pmThanks Patricia! Yes, perfect in Hawaii! Have a fun & delicious trip.
Christina says
June 12, 2014 at 6:09 amJust beautiful, Valentina!
valentina says
June 12, 2014 at 5:37 pmThank you Christina! xo
David says
June 14, 2014 at 10:10 pmGorgeous. Simple. Elegant. And I can only imagine how good it tastes!
valentina says
June 19, 2014 at 8:48 pmThanks, David. 🙂
John says
June 21, 2014 at 8:13 pmI made this last evening with the Kampot pepper. What a delicious dish, and the taste of the pepper added yet another level of complexity to it. Thank you again for introducing me to Kampot pepper, the Pepper Project, and their noble causes!
valentina says
June 22, 2014 at 5:39 amJohn, Thanks for the great comment. I’m so happy to have connected you with the Pepper Project — I really think they’re fantastic. And of course, I’m thrilled you tried this recipe, and that you enjoyed it. Hope to have you back here, cooking again soon. 🙂