Tuna Seviche

 Ingredients:

• 1 lb. sushi-grade tuna, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 2/3 cup fresh lime juice
• 1 large tomato, seeded & chopped
• 1 small red onion, very thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/2-1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & minced
• grated zest of 1/2 orange
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• pinch freshly ground black pepper

Makes 4 Servings (1/2 cup per serving)

1. Mix together tuna and lime juice in a large glass bowl. Cover and refrigerate, stirring several times, until tuna is opaque, about 1 hour. Drain tuna and transfer to serving bowl; discard marinade. 
2. Add all remaining ingredients to tuna; toss to mix well. 

WW POINTS VALUE: 3 pts. 

Note: This recipe appears in the WW New Complete Cookbook. Do not be intimidated by sashimi or sushi-grade tuna. It is melt-in-your-mouth delicious when it's done right. Even though the recipe calls to marinate in lime juice and to add the remaining ingredients to the tuna, I HIGHLY recommend searing both sides of the tuna to add more texture to the tuna. Grilled sashimi tuna is so delicious it literally melts in your mouth. I like to think of it as the filet mignon of the ocean it's that good. The variety of vegetables add flavor and zing to this dish. One bite of this treat and you will be eating this as an appetizer or a light lunch on a regular basis. 

Casa Tua Restaurant Tuna Tartare

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs. tuna, sashimi or sushi quality, chopped
• 1 oz. capers in salt, rinsed
• 6 oz. olives nicoise, pitted and cubed
• 4 oz. sun-dried tomatoes, cubed
• 2 tbsp. cilantro, chopped
• 1 tbsp. chopped fresh red chile pepper
• 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp. Fleur de sel (French sea salt) or kosher salt

Makes 8 Servings

Mix the tuna, capers, olives, tomatoes, cilantro, and pepper, and season with oil, vinegar, and Fleur de sel.

WW POINTS VALUE: 10 pts.

Note: This recipe appears in the South Beach Diet Cookbook. This recipe was created by chef Sergio Sigala of Casa Tua Restaurant in Miami. Casa Tua is an elegant restaurant in a  converted Mediterranean villa in South Beach where guest can enjoy Northern Italian cuisine, fine wine and art. I've never been to Miami but when I do visit Miami, I hope I can eat at this restaurant. This is an elegant appetizer that is delicious and packed with flavor. This appetizer is a marriage between Northern Italy and Miami. I LOVED this appetizer. I really love sashimi tuna because I think it's the filet mignon of the sea, rich in flavor when it's cooked right. Even though the recipe calls for raw sashimi tuna cut up, I cooked the tuna about 1-2 minutes on each side after seasoning the tuna with salt and pepper. I really like a sashimi tuna with a salt and peppered crust with a RARE center. That is the best! I also used a sweet red bell pepper in place of the red chile pepper and kalamata olives in place of the nicoise olives and the dish was still delicious. This appetizer is delicious by itself or on top of cucumbers or small slices of toasted French bread. If you want to kick it up a notch in flavor with the olive oil and balsamic vinegar, visit www.TheImperialOlive.com for sophisticated flavors. Also, for more information on Casa Tua Restaurant, visit www.casatualifestyle.com