It's been almost a year since we purchased our mountain bikes and headed out for the trails. A year ago, every time Handsome wanted to ride, I would whine to myself internally and barely pull myself along the trails. I was exhausted. I felt horrible. I wanted to quit.
Saturday evening the weather was bordering on beautiful or packed with the thick hot summertime thunderstorms and Handsome a bad day at work. Seeing the clouds moving passed us, I loaded my bike into the truck and headed out for a ride all by myself. Looking up half way through the trail and seeing the long stretch of hills in front of me, I couldn't believe how far I have come. I am nowhere near where I want to be, but I loaded the bike up and road seven miles. Without Handsome. No internal whining or cursing. No feeling of fatigue. I actually wanted to ride. And ride for me.
I have never been a physical individual. Never once uttered the words, "Let's go to the gym". It's about finding something you love and when you find it, it will be click. Whether it's starting by running around the block, or paddling around in a kayak, somethings probably out there. No, it's not easy. But I feel great, sleep wonderfully, and am rather proud of myself.
Grilled Tuna Steaks with Asian Slaw
from Cooks Illustrated Cooking for Two
Ingredients:
- 2 tbs rice wine vinegar
- 2 tbs soy sauce
- 4 teas Dijon mustard
- 1 ½ teas toasted sesame oil
- 1 ½ teas honey
- 2 scallions, sliced thin
- 1 ½ teas fresh grated ginger
- ¼ teas red pepper flakes
- ½ small head red cabbage, sliced thin
- ½ red pepper, julliened
- ½ small onion, sliced thin
- 1 carrot, julliened
- 2 8oz tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick
Preparation:
Whisk vinegar, soy sauce, mustard, sesame oil, honey, scallions, ginger, and red pepper flakes together in a medium bowl.
Season tuna with salt and pepper and brush sides with dressing (don't scoop out dressing with the same utensil you are using to coat your fish - you will be using the remaining uncooked). Reserve the remaining dressing for slaw.
Heat a gas grill to high, and loosely cover the cooking grate with a large piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. Heat about 15 minutes.
Remove foil with tongs, clean and oil grill grate until black and glossy. Be careful while oiling grate, flames can get a little out of control if caution is not used.
Gently place tuna on grill and cook until grill marks form and bottom of fish is opaque, about 1 ½ minutes. Gently flip fish with two spatulas and continue to cook until grill marks form on second side, about 1 ½ minutes longer for rare. Transfer to a large plate, cover with foil, and let rest.
While the fish rests, stir together the cabbage, red pepper, onion, carrot, and remaining dressing. Let sit and mingle.
Serve fish over fresh slaw.
Belinda @zomppa says
You look like a rock star there! Awesome!! Great juicy steaks these are.
Toby @ Plate Fodder says
I've never been one for the exercise thing, either. My key chain is a kaleidoscope of expired health club fobs.... it was always something "The Brazilian" wanted to do. funny, now that I moved to the mountains..I'm in the best shape of my life. Still no health club - but getting out, working in the garden, landscaping the compound.. it gets addictive.
I absolutely love Double-dipped uses for marinades, it just pulls a dish together.
Jen @ Savory Simple says
That Asian slaw sounds so flavorful!
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
I am SO with you on the reasons to get healthy. I hate walking, but everyone tells me I should do it. What I do love is swimming. I could do lap after lap in the pool. It's just a matter of getting to the pool. without a car. Hmmmmm.
Anyhow, your grilled tuna steaks is gorgeous. I love the ingredients you used for the marinade. I agree with Toby; carrying the flavors from the tuna to the slaw is stellar.
kelly (@kelly_bakes) says
I love that you went biking for YOU last week. I've been jogging and biking more lately, not because I enjoy it, but because I know it's good for me, which of course makes it less enjoyable. I love doing yoga, but recently life has gotten in the way of, well, everything. Last week, I finally said, 'enough!' and bought a yoga pass for the studio down the street. I went to a class on a muggy morning and loved every minute of it. I've never been interested in hot yoga, but now I think I want to try it. Life is all about making time for the things you love and taking good care of yourself--it's wonderful when the things you love are the things that are good for you. Glad you found that!
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says
I still need to find the exercise that I can be passionate about! So, you are lucky to have found it!
I love tuna steaks, but rarely have them as I don't have good recipes. These look fab!
Kate says
Looks delicious! I'll have to try this next time we have company. Thanks.
Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says
Great job Kita! I hope to someday get into something again where I WANT to do it and don't feel I have to drag myself to get it done.
Magic of Spice says
Gorgeous tuna steak! And I love this slaw...delicious!