Ahi Tuna with Three Healthy Sides

Please eat more fish. I don't like to beg, but Americans just aren't eating enough fish and the dietitian nutritionist part of me is internally eye rolling and complaining about it.

But the good news is, there are more and more products on the market that make eating fish easier meaning more people are getting smarter protein options on the table. I know preparing fish can be confusing and difficult (Over cooking is the worst. Undercooking is a mistake you only make once.) while deciding what to cook WITH the fish is a whole different burden all together. That's why today's post gives you 3 recipes for different side dishes to pair with Ahi Tuna. Did I mention one has avocado? You should probably stick around...

The Fish:

By itself it's delicious paired with soy sauce and wasabi (but not for me- way too spicy!) or in a classic Niçoise salad, but it's even better with one of these three side dishes.   The bottom line is fish is an awesome protein for you, and this could be your comfort level starter to eating more of it at home. 

Side 1:  Lima Bean Salad

/// Ingredients ///

• 1 c. Lima Beans (fresh if possible)
• 1 T Butter
• Salt
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/4 t lime zest
• few leaves mint
• 1/4 c. spinach (chiffonade)

/// Directions // Cook lima beans and toss in melted butter, salt, the juice of 1/2 a lime, lime zest. Add chopped mint leaves and spinach and toss again. Serve warm. 

Side 2: Cucumber, Avocado & Celery Salad

/// Ingredients ///

• 4 inch, thinly sliced cucumber
• 1 chopped celery stalk
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 1 T rice vinegar
• 1 T sugar
• 1/4 t salt
• 1 t ginger (fresh) 1 inch finger
• 1 garlic clove smashed 
• 1/2 avocado
• basil
• cilantro
• cracked black pepper

/// Directions /// Mix in a bowl and chill in fridge for 30 minutes. Remove the smashed garlic before serving. Add sliced avocado, basil, cilantro and cracked black pepper.

Side 3: Cold Soba Noodle Salad

/// Ingredients ///

• 1/2 lime
• 1 T soy sauce
• 1 t honey
• 1 t grated ginger
• 1/2 t sesame oil
• few cracks pepper
• 2 oz soba green tea
• 1 small carrot (julienne peeler)
• 1 T scallions - diagonal 
• 1/4 t blac k sesame seeds

/// Directions/// In a bowl, mix lime, soy sauce, honey, ginger, sesame oil and pepper. Cook soba noodles for 6 minutes and drain and rinse in cold water. Add dressing to soba and toss. Top with carrot, scallions and sesame seeds.