Seared Tuna Salad with Herbes de Provence, Grilled Fingerling Potatoes, Hickory Smoked Salt & Shaved Asparagus Salad
3 tablespoons coarse salt
4 ounces capers, drained  
1 cup rice vinegar  
1/2 cup olive oil  
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard  
2 teaspoons agave syrup  
2 tablespoons brown sugar  
1 1/2 pounds fresh tuna
Herbes de Provence
Olive oil
1 pound heirloom fingerling potatoes
Olive oil  
2 radishes, shaved
1 bulb fennel, shaved  
1 bunch asparagus, tips only, blanched
8 ounces arugula
4 to 6 quail eggs, hard-boiled,
Instructions:
For the vinaigrette: Place the salt in a zip-lock back. Fill the bag with smoke using a Smoking Gun filled with hickory chips. Seal and set aside for 20 minutes or longer. Repeat for the capers.
In a blender, combine the smoked capers and 1 tablespoon of the smoked salt. Add the rice vinegar, olive oil, mustard, agave and brown sugar. Blend until smooth.
For the tuna: Cut the tuna into 6-ounce portions. Roll on all sides in herbes de Provence. Heat a saute pan over high heat; coat with olive oil. Add the tuna and sear on all sides, 30 to 45 seconds side, leaving the center raw.
For the potatoes: Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Toss the fingerling potatoes with the remaining 2 tablespoons smoked salt and some olive oil. Add to the pan and grill until fully cooked.
For the asparagus salad: Toss the shaved radish and fennel in a bowl with the asparagus and arugula. Dress with vinaigrette. Top with the quail eggs.
To plate: Place some grilled potatoes on each plate. Spoon some of the asparagus salad over the potatoes. Cut the tuna into slices and arrange on top of the salad. Serve.
