TUNA AND GREEN BEANS WITH TOMATO AND MOZZARELLA SALAD
List of Ingredients
1 teaspoon salt plus additional for seasoning
2 large ripe tomatoes, about 1 pound
12 to 14 ounces fresh mozzarella
20 to 25 basil leaves
Freshly ground black pepper
Two 8-ounce tuna or swordfish steaks
Olive oil spray
1 pound green beans
1 lemon
1 shallot
1/4 cup parsley leaves, preferably flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil plus additional for the table
Recipe
1) Turn on a gas grill. Run the hot water tap and put 1 teaspoon salt
and 1 quart hot tap water in a 12-inch saute pan or wide saucepan.
Cover and bring to a boil over high heat.
2) Meanwhile, core and cut the tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick slices.
Slice the mozzarella as thinly as possible. Alternate slices of
tomato and mozzarella (in rows or a circle) on a serving platter,
slightly overlapping each other. Tuck a basil leaf in between the
tomato and mozzarella slices. Season with salt and pepper. Set
aside.
3) Season the tuna with salt and pepper and spray with olive oil
spray. Grill the tuna or swordfish for 2 minutes on each side. Put
the fish on a cutting board when done. Meanwhile, trim the green
beans and put them in the pan as soon the water boils. Cover and boil
for 3 to 4 minutes or until just tender. Drain in a colander.
4) While the beans cook, juice the lemon. Peel and halve the shallot.
Drop the shallot down the chute of a food processor with the motor
running. When the shallot is chopped, turn off the machine, add the
parsley leaves, 2 tablespoons of the lemon juice (save the rest for
another use), and salt and pepper to taste. Turn on the motor and
gradually add the olive oil. Turn the machine off.
5)Cut the tuna into 1/4 to 3/8-inch thick slices. Combine the tuna
and green beans in a shallow bowl. Add the dressing from the food
processor and toss gently but thoroughly. Serve the tuna and green
beans with the tomato and mozzarella salad. Pass the additional olive
oil and let each diner drizzle as much as they wish on the tomato and
mozzarella salad.