TUNA, TUNA, TUNA

I eat meat. An awful lot of meat. If it plopped out of a womb, I want it grilled, fried, boiled or stuffed. In fact, I'll have the womb too while you are at it.

Every now and again, however, I do feel the need to indulge in the fruits of the sea and eat something with scales and fins. It's good for the digestion, don't you know?

I am, as I may have mentioned a few thousand times, very fortunate to work and live within striking distance of the best fishmonger in London, Steve Hatt. Today, as I wandered past this breathtaking shop, my eye was caught by two things, some stunning looking tuna and some live scallops in the shell. Hard to resist, so I didn't and £15 later I strolled out the proud owner of two thick steaks and four of the scallops.

I often despair when I see recipes using beautiful fresh fish which people then smother in extraordinary combinations of marinades. It seems to completely miss the point of buying good quality ingredients. So, I prefer to leave the main element of the meal in as close to virgin condition and adding the complimentary flavourings in the side dishes.

So it was tonight.

The tuna steaks were rubbed in a little oil and then grilled on my cast iron pan. The scallops, after I had taken them out of the shells in a slightly less efficient manner than the guys in the shop had showed me, were just tossed on the pan after the tuna was cooked to grill in the residual heat for about 30 secs aside.

The side dishes were some green beans in a dressing of wasabi, mirin and tamari and a salad of tomatoes, mint, ruby grapefruit, chilli and pickled ginger.

The tuna was, even though I say so myself, stunning. Rare and meaty. It might as well have been steak. The scallops, so fresh, you could have eaten them raw.

Just what I needed. Mr Hatt, I thank you from the bottom of my colon