Sesame-Tuna Lettuce Wraps

Sesame Tuna Lettuce Wraps
We always need a new, quick, make-ahead and impressive appetizer to start off a dinner get-together, or offer to bring to a party.  This recipe could also be doubled or tripled if you hosting a large gathering!   We found small, but really tightly packed leaf lettuce heads at T&T Supermarkets.  Iceberg lettuce would also work! 

Makes about 12 

1 8-9oz thick piece of best quality Tuna 
1 tbsp. miso paste 
2 tbsp. soy sauce 
1 tsp. sesame oil
3 tbsp. mixed black & white sesame seeds

1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 
1 tbsp. sugar 
1/2 cucumber, thinly sliced 
1 carrot, thin julienne (use a peeler or mandolin) 

2 green onions, very thinly sliced 
2 radishes, very thinly sliced 

About 12 small lettuce leaves (see note above)

Oil, as needed 
Flaky sea salt, as needed 
Sriracha (optional)

1. In a small bowl whisk together miso paste, soy sauce & sesame oil. 
2. Place tuna in this mixture, and flip over from time to time to get marinade in on two sides.  The tuna will absorb it over time, about 30 minutes total.  
3. Place sesame seeds on a plate and set aside.  
4. Meanwhile, in a small bowl whisk together rice wine vinegar and sugar until sugar is dissolved.  Add cucumbers and carrots.  Let macerate 30 minutes, or up to a day ahead of time.  
5. Add thinly sliced green onion and radishes to a small bowl with cold water.  This will help the onions curl and the radishes crisp.  This can also be done 30 minutes or up to a day ahead of time. 
6. Cook tuna:  preheat a small frying pan (cast-iron is great) over medium-high heat.  While it is preheating, remove tuna from marinade (doing your best to swoop up as much marinade as possible) and firmly dip two sides into the sesame seeds.  
7. Add a little oil to the pan followed by tuna.  
8. Cook for 1-2 minutes per side.  Remove to a cutting board.  Let cool while you assemble your platter. 
9. Arrange lettuce leaves on a platter, drain and top with a few cucumber slices and carrots on each leaf.  
10. Slice tuna into 1/4 inch slices.  Remember, there is no grain to worry about on tuna, so slice it for how it makes sense to present it.  
11. Add 1-2 slices to each lettuce leaf.  Top with green onion spirals and 1-2 radish slices.  Add a few flakes of sea salt on each piece of tuna.  If you like some spice, add a couple dots of sriracha.  
12. Can be made up fully about 1 hour ahead of time.  Enjoy!!