Eat Like a Star on Oscar Night

Spicy Tuna Tartare in Sesame Miso Cones With Masago

Ingredients:

TARTARE

4 ounces diced number 1 sushi grade tuna

1 tablespoon diced pickled ginger

1 teaspoon chopped scallions

1 tablespoon soy sauce/wasabi mixture (see below)

2 tablespoons spice chili mayonnaise (see below)

MISO CONES

4 ounces (1/2 stick) butter

1 cup corn syrup

1/2 cup miso paste

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper

1 tablespoon sesame oil

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon powdered ginger

1/2 cup sesame seeds (1/4 cup black, 1/4 cup white)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter together with the corn syrup.
3. Remove from the heat and whisk in miso paste and sesame oil.
4. Sift the flour, continuously stirring. Add the ginger and sesame seeds.
5. Bake in the oven on Silpats in 1 tablespoon portions for 10 minutes, then turn and bake for another two minutes. (Note: Silpat is the brand name of a popular silicone mat used in baking to provide a nonstick surface.)
6. Remove from the baking sheets and form into miniature cones.
   

Assembly and presentation:

1. Mix together tartare ingredients. Place in plastic pastry bag.
2. Place cones (about 20) in cone holder. Place two daikon sprouts in each cone while piping in the tartare mixture.
3. Top with masago roe, julienne bonito flake and chopped pickled ginger.
   

Soy sauce/wasabi mixture: made with 1/3 cup wasabi paste and 1 cup Japanese soy sauce. First, mix the wasabi paste with a little water, then mix with soy sauce. Be sure to shake or mix before every use.

Spicy chili mayonnaise: made with one 1 cup good-quality prepared mayonnaise, 1/3 cup plus 1/4 tablespoon chili sauce and 1/4 teaspoon sesame oil (Kadoya brand) all mixed together.