Asian-Style Seared Ahi Tuna

Yield: 4 servings

3 TBSP soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
1/8 tsp dried red-pepper flakes
1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth
4 tuna steaks, about 1 inch thick
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 TBSP olive oil
1 tsp sesame oil
1 chopped green onion
3 cloves garlic, minced

In a small bowl, combine the soy sauce, sugar, red-pepper flakes, and broth. Sprinkle the fish with the salt and black pepper. Heat the cooking oil in a large frying pan over moderately high heat. Add the tuna and cook until brown, about 3 minutes. Turn and cook the fish until done to your taste, 3 to 4 minutes longer for medium rare. Reduce the heat to moderately low and put the sesame oil in the pan. Stir in the green onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Add the soy-sauce mixture; simmer until reduced to approximately 1/3 cup, about 2 minutes. Cut the tuna into slices and serve with the sauce.