Ginger Wasabi Tuna Burgers

in the majority of the country, it is just too dang hot to cook. turning on the oven and heating up the house is just out of the question. the thought of standing outside over a hot grill seems downright crazy, but i actually think it's the best option (other than eating out of course where someone else cooks my food and does the dishes while i sit patiently in air-conditioning).

but think about grilling for a second. yes, you have to go outside, in this heat, but only for minutes at a time. start the grill/charcoal chimney, run inside to AC. put your food on the grill and set the timer, run inside to the AC. turn the food, run inside to AC . . . you get the idea, right? plus, it saves you from heating up the inside and making the AC work extra hard with the oven or a stove burner on and running back inside to the AC feels soooo good!

have i convinced you to grill tonight yet? well maybe this recipe will. it's quick, easy, and healthy. these tuna burgers have just the right amount of heat from some wasabi (you can adjust the amount to your liking). the best part is they only cook 2-3 minutes a side on a hot grill. of course, you can also cook these on a grill pan indoors on the stove if you don't have a grill or i haven't persuaded you to use one.

i like a nice thick slice of tomato and crisp romaine lettuce on the burger nestled between a whole wheat bun. you can even throw some corn or sliced zucchini on the grill while you cook the tuna burgers too. then, viola! you have a complete meal.

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Ginger Wasabi Tuna Burgers
adapted from a gwyneth paltrow recipe
makes 4 burgers

1 lb fresh tuna steak, cut into 1" chunks
2 tsp wasabi paste (or 1 tsp wasabi powder with 1 tsp water to make a paste)
2 tsp dijon mustard
1 tbs fresh ginger, minced
2 tbs garlic, minced
1 tsp sesame oil
1 tbs tamari (or soy sauce)
1/2 tsp ground pepper

in the bowl of a food processor, add cubed tuna. pulse a couple times until tuna reaches desired consistency (you don't want it all ground up, just a good texture you can form into burgers). transfer tuna to a medium bowl. add remaining ingredients to processor. process until well combined. pour onto tuna and mix well with a spatula. form into 4 patties and refrigerate for 1-4 hours so flavors can meld.

heat grill (or grill pan) to high heat. grill on each side for 2-3 minutes (i like mine a little rare on the inside) or 3-4 minutes for just cooked through. do not over cook, they will be crumbly and dry.