CUT TUNA INTO LOGS. Roll the outside edges of each piece in the shichimi togarashi. Place oil in a pan on a medium-high heat. Sear on all sides (about 30 seconds each side) until it has a cooked edge about 5mm thick,keeping the centre raw. Allow to cool in refrigerator while you prepare the other ingredients.
To makeTHE DRESSING,mix the sesame paste and soy sauce in a bowl. Add the vinegar and sugar,stirring to dissolve. Whisk through garlic,ginger and sesame oil and allow to stand for 30 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.
Finely shred the cabbage and slice the spring onions. Cut the carrots into matchsticks. Pick and wash the coriander leaves. Combine the salad ingredients with toasted nuts and seeds.
SLICE THE TUNA into 5-8mm pieces. Dress the salad,then place on four plates,top with sliced tuna and serve.
TIPS:
- Shichimi togarashi is a Japanese spice mix. There are lots of different blends out there,so check out your local Asian supermarket and find one you like best.
- This salad is also good with seared prawns or scallops.
- Sometimes,a beer can be one of the best accompaniments to spicy or aromatic dishes.