Oscar Menu: Tuna Tataki

March 3, 2006— -- Once again, Chef Wolfgang Puck is in charge of the menu for the exclusive Governors Ball following the Oscars. You, too, can eat like a star by following Puck's recipe for Tuna Tataki with Sweet Soy below.

Tuna

Ingredients

1 pound sushi grade tuna, 2" x 2" x 8" block

1 ounce raw black and white sesame seeds

Freshly ground black pepper

Kosher salt

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Season all sides of the tuna block with salt and pepper. Sprinkle all sides with sesame seeds. Heat the olive oil in a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, quickly sear the tuna on all sides, about a minute per side. Remove from the pan and refrigerate immediately. Cut into 6 pieces.

Wasabi Whipped Cream

Ingredients

1 teaspoon wasabi paste (if using powdered, mix with a little water to make a paste)

2 cups whipping cream

2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce

1 tablespoon pickled ginger, chopped

Combine the wasabi paste and whipping cream in a medium mixing bowl, and whisk thoroughly.

Paint some of the soy sauce on each serving plate. Set a block of the tuna onto the sauce. Garnish with chopped pickled ginger and wasabi whipped cream.

Yield: Serves 6