Fresh Tuna Tower

So when I lived in Dallas we would search out our favorite sushi spots based on our favorite "tuna towers".  They are basically an appetizer of tuna tar tar (raw tuna), avocado, sushi rice and sometimes roe and crab salad.  It's embarrassing to say the all of us girls would go to sushi sometimes 3-4 times a week and order a tuna tower EVERY TIME.  This is super easy, just a few fresh ingredients.  

More specifically, sushi grade tuna is the key.  Don't use anything that is of less quality.  My favorite place to get sushi-grade fish is Chef's Fresh Fish...they deliver fish to my door. 

Ingredients:

-1/4 lb. sushi-grade yellowfin tuna

-1 cup sushi rice

-1 avocado

-1/8 cup soy sauce

-1 Tbsp powdered wasabi

-1 Tbsp sesame seeds

-1/2 tsp ginger paste or grated fresh ginger

-juice 1/2 lemon

-1 Tbsp rice vinegar

-1 sheet roasted nori snacks (optional)

First, thinly slice your tuna. You're not dicing it yet.  Put in a small tupperware and add the 1/8 cup soy sauce, 1 Tbsp powdered wasabi, 1 Tbsp sesame seeds, 1/2 tsp ginger and juice of 1/2 lemon.  Mix around until evenly coated.  Cover and stick in the fridge. 

Next, boil the sushi rice according to the package directions. Make sure to rinse you rice before boiling.  Once it is finished add 1 Tbsp rice vinegar and stir.  Let the rice cool while you chop your avocado.  Form a circle or square of rice on a small plate.  Add the avocado. 

Next, pull the tuna out of the fridge and chop it with a sharp knife.  Add the tuna to the top of the "tower".

I found this package of roasted seaweed snacks in the Asian department of my Whole Foods while I was getting the tuna.  I grabbed it and thought it would be a nice addition to the tuna tower.  The wasabi flavor sounded great to me. I just crumbled one sheet and sprinkled it on top. 

Other optional add-ins:

-Fresh Roe (fish eggs) from your local Asian Market (we will definitely try to find this next time)

-Spicy Crab Salad - 1 pkg. fresh crab + 2 Tbsp mayo + 1 Tbsp sriracha + 2 green onions chopped

-Togarashi pepper (Japanese spice) can be added to the top or to the tuna marinade to make it spicy tuna

Also, if you want to make a round tuna tower, you can use ramekins if you don't have a spring form ring.  Follow the instructions here.