Salad of seared tuna and avocado

(serves 4)

• 400g yellow fin tuna
• 50 sesame seeds
• 100ml sesame oil
• 50ml light soy sauce
• 50ml maple syrup
• 200g avocado
• 50g chopped shallots
• 100g cherry tomatoes
• 25g chopped basil
• 10g chopped chillies
• 200g crispy mixed greens

Brush the tuna with sesame oil and roll in sesame seeds. Fry in hot oil for 30 seconds on each side and set aside. Make sure that the tuna is still rare in the middle and set it off the heat. In a mixing bowl whisk the sesame oil, soy sauce, chopped shallots, maple syrup and chillies. Cut the tomatoes in half and marinade with the same dressing. In the middle of a plate arrange some crispy greens. Arrange the sliced tuna, avocado and cherry tomatoes around. Dress with the prepared dressing and serve.

Ivan Mizzi is executive head chef, Excelsior Grand Hotel Malta