Tuna with Red Onion and Sweet Vinegar

(Serves 4)

6 tbsp of olive oil

2 garlic cloves, cut into fine matchsticks

3 red onions (about 400g) sliced chinese-style

4 fresh bay leaes

600g fresh tuna loin or monkfish cut in 3cm cubes

2 tsp chopped fresh oregano

350g cherry tomatoes blanched, peeled, quartered & seeded

300g drained cooked judion beans (150g dry weight) or use cooked butter beans or cannellini beans

1 tbsp of sweet red wine vinegar (or any good-quality red wine vinegar with a pinch of sugar)

  1. Sautee the garlic matchsticks in olive oil until golden brown (but not burnt), then remove the garlic with a slotted spoon and set aside
  2. Add the onions and bay leaves to the still-hot pan with a good pinch of salt & increase to med heat. Cook for 15 minutes, stirring often, until the onions are softened and beginning to brown. Set aside
  3. Minutes before you are ready to serve, place a very wide pan over a high heat until smoking. Season the tuna with salt & pepper. Add the remaining 2 tbsp of oil to the pan and sear the tuna briskly on both sides. They will only need a minute or two per side.
  4. Add the cooked onions, half the oregano, the tomatoes, beans and vinegar and sauté for a minute more, until everything is warmed through (the tuna should be quite pink in the middle).
  5. Transfer to a warm serving dish, sprinkle over the remaining oregano and crispy garlic and serve immediately.

Photo credit "Cooking on the Weekends" Valentina

Tuna and Red Onion with Sweet Vinegar

A Languedoc Tradition: Picpoul and Oysters at Christmas

Much like the rest of Europe, the French in the Languedoc celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve, or La Reveillon, which translates to “the awakening of Christ”. Many typical families begin their Christmas with evening Mass at the local church. Once they return home from Mass, the celebrations begin. Father Christmas will have visited while everyone was out, and in the French way, eating and drinking also begins. No doubt you’ll remember the famous oysters & Picpoul from your own experience on the Etang de Thau while onboard Athos? Mais oui, the well-known Languedoc combination of Picpoul de Pinet and oysters is the plat du soir!

Picpoul and Oysters while Onboard Athos