Power of One Thousand Suns

Yield: 2 Servings

Prep time: 15 mins | Cure: 20 mins | Cook: 6 mins

Ingredients

The Protein

300g Sashimi-grade Ahi Tuna (center-cut loin)

1 tbsp Aleppo pepper or Gochugaru (for the "solar flare" glow)

10g Toasted white sesame seeds

5g Coarse sea salt

The "Suns"

4 Egg Yolks (confit in olive oil at 65°C for 20 mins)

1 Large Orange (zested and juiced)

1 Fresh Turmeric root (finely grated for color)

1 tsp Saffron threads (bloomed in a splash of warm water)

Edible Gold Leaf (optional, for the final radiance)

The Heat

1 Habanero or Scotch Bonnet (seeded and minced ultra-fine)

30ml Cold-pressed Ginger juice

Preparation

1. The Radiant Confit

Submerge the egg yolks in a small bath of olive oil with the saffron and grated turmeric.

Hold at 65°C (low heat/sous vide) for 20 minutes until the yolks are jammy and glowing neon gold.

2. The Solar Crust

Pat the tuna loin dry. Rub with ginger juice and minced habanero.

Press the Aleppo pepper and sesame seeds into the surface of the fish until it is completely coated in a deep, fiery red crust.

Sear the tuna in a scorching hot cast-iron pan for only 45 seconds per side. The center must remain raw (blue) to preserve the protein structure.

3. The Flare Reduction

Reduce the orange juice in a pan until it becomes a thick, syrupy glaze.

Whisk in a drop of the saffron-turmeric oil from the yolks to create a high-viscosity "plasma" sauce.

The Assembly

Slicing: Carve the seared tuna into thick, 2cm medallions, revealing the bright red interior against the spicy crust.

Plating: Draw a wide, aggressive "solar flare" across a white plate using the Orange-Saffron Reduction.

Positioning: Place three tuna medallions along the flare.

The Suns: Gently nestle one Confit Egg York atop each medallion (the "Suns").

Ignition: Finish with a dusting of sea salt and edible gold leaf to catch the light.

Chef’s Note: This dish relies on the visual and chemical heat of the peppers balanced by the dense, high-quality protein of the tuna and the richness of the fats in the yolk. The turmeric and saffron provide a "thousand suns" glow that is entirely natural.