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Pepper-Crusted Tuna, Preserved Lemon, and Egg Tartines

By Lan Lam

Published on December 5, 2022

Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Pepper-Crusted Tuna, Preserved Lemon, and Egg Tartines

Ingredients

4 large eggs 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided1 tablespoon chopped preserved lemon plus 2 teaspoons brine1 tablespoon Dijon mustard 1½ teaspoons lemon juice, divided3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided1 small shallot, minced1 (12-ounce) skinless yellowfin tuna steak, 1 inch thick1 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided1 teaspoon kosher salt 1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper 4 slices country bread, 6 inches wide and ¾ inch thick, toasted

Before You Begin

Ultrafresh tuna is critical for this recipe; it is briefly seared and will remain raw in the center. Baguette or a fine-crumbed bread such as pain de mie or brioche can be substituted; split two (6-inch) pieces of baguette horizontally to create four slices. We also have a version of this recipe scaled down to serve two.

Instructions

  1. Bring ½ inch water to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Using tongs, place eggs in boiling water (eggs will not be submerged). Cover and cook for 7 minutes. Transfer saucepan to sink and run cold water over eggs for 30 seconds to stop cooking.
  2. Peel and halve eggs. Transfer yolks to bowl (yolks will be jammy). Chop egg whites. To yolks, add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, preserved lemon brine, mustard, and ½ teaspoon lemon juice and whisk until well combined. Stir in 1 tablespoon parsley, shallot, and egg whites. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. In second bowl, combine preserved lemon, remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Set aside.
  4. Slice tuna into 2-inch-wide strips. Rub ½ teaspoon vegetable oil into all sides of tuna strips and then sprinkle with salt. Sprinkle 1 side of each strip with pepper, pressing gently to adhere. Heat remaining ½ teaspoon vegetable oil in 12-inch carbon-steel or cast-iron skillet over high heat until just smoking. Sear tuna on 4 long sides, 30 seconds per side. Transfer to cutting board and immediately slice on bias ½ inch thick.
  5. Divide egg mixture evenly among bread slices and spread into even layer. Arrange tuna on top and garnish with parsley–preserved lemon mixture. Serve.
Pepper-Crusted Tuna, Preserved Lemon, and Egg Tartines
Photography by Elizabeth Fuller.

Pepper-Crusted Tuna, Preserved Lemon, and Egg Tartines

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Time

30 minutes

Yield

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 large eggs
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon chopped preserved lemon plus 2 teaspoons brine
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1½ teaspoons lemon juice, divided
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 small shallot, minced
1 (12-ounce) skinless yellowfin tuna steak, 1 inch thick
1 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
4 slices country bread, 6 inches wide and ¾ inch thick, toasted

Ingredients

4 large eggs
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon chopped preserved lemon plus 2 teaspoons brine
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1½ teaspoons lemon juice, divided
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 small shallot, minced
1 (12-ounce) skinless yellowfin tuna steak, 1 inch thick
1 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
4 slices country bread, 6 inches wide and ¾ inch thick, toasted

Ingredients

4 large eggs
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon chopped preserved lemon plus 2 teaspoons brine
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
1½ teaspoons lemon juice, divided
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 small shallot, minced
1 (12-ounce) skinless yellowfin tuna steak, 1 inch thick
1 teaspoon vegetable oil, divided
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon coarsely ground black pepper
4 slices country bread, 6 inches wide and ¾ inch thick, toasted

Why This Recipe Works

For this French open-faced sandwich, we started by pressing coarsely ground pepper onto one side of tuna steaks and briefly searing the fish to create savory depth and bloom the pepper while leaving the interior cool. A rich soft-cooked egg and mustard spread was inspired by gribiche, a distant relative of mayonnaise. The spread holds the toppings of sliced tuna, along with a tangy preserved lemon and parsley vinaigrette, atop the slice of hearty bread.

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Before You Begin

Ultrafresh tuna is critical for this recipe; it is briefly seared and will remain raw in the center. Baguette or a fine-crumbed bread such as pain de mie or brioche can be substituted; split two (6-inch) pieces of baguette horizontally to create four slices. We also have a version of this recipe scaled down to serve two.

Instructions

  1. Bring ½ inch water to boil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Using tongs, place eggs in boiling water (eggs will not be submerged). Cover and cook for 7 minutes. Transfer saucepan to sink and run cold water over eggs for 30 seconds to stop cooking.
  2. Peel and halve eggs. Transfer yolks to bowl (yolks will be jammy). Chop egg whites. To yolks, add 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, preserved lemon brine, mustard, and ½ teaspoon lemon juice and whisk until well combined. Stir in 1 tablespoon parsley, shallot, and egg whites. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  3. In second bowl, combine preserved lemon, remaining 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, remaining 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and remaining 2 tablespoons parsley. Set aside.
  4. Slice tuna into 2-inch-wide strips. Rub ½ teaspoon vegetable oil into all sides of tuna strips and then sprinkle with salt. Sprinkle 1 side of each strip with pepper, pressing gently to adhere. Heat remaining ½ teaspoon vegetable oil in 12-inch carbon-steel or cast-iron skillet over high heat until just smoking. Sear tuna on 4 long sides, 30 seconds per side. Transfer to cutting board and immediately slice on bias ½ inch thick.
  5. Divide egg mixture evenly among bread slices and spread into even layer. Arrange tuna on top and garnish with parsley–preserved lemon mixture. Serve.

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