Who’s in the kitchen: Blackened Tuna delights on any day

As I write this column, on Cyber Monday, people are at home, work, in cars or public transportation, on their desk tops, laptops, smart phones or tablets checking out amazing deals on things they can’t live without, have to replace, want to buy as gifts, for the thrill of a bargain or just simply want.

When my kids were little, I remember stores opening at 6 a.m., Friday morning after Thanksgiving, and friends standing on line to buy birthday gifts for their kids to bring to parties all year long. As the years progressed, stores started opening at midnight on Thanksgiving. With bellies full of turkey and stuffing, hordes lined up to be first on line for the door buster sales. Ahhh, but that was so yesterday.

Suddenly, Black Friday is now anticlimactic. The era of Black Thursday is here. As night falls on a day set aside to be thankful for all we have, Americans jostle each other to get more. Instead of standing on line after dinner, people are on line Thanksgiving morning so they are first on line for the 4 p.m. store openings.

Last Thursday and Black Friday, shoppers used their smart phones and tablets as they hit stores, a mobile phenomenon that started recently.

Thom Blischok, a chief retail strategist, was waiting on line with one woman in Phoenix, who was shopping for a refrigerator. Using her mobile device, she found the appliance online for the same price and left the store without. She intended to buy it online instead.

For shoppers, Black Thursday-Friday is that time of year when it’s OK to look incredibly ridiculous while you’re battling a 75-year-old for a plasma TV. It’s a time which captures the essence of consumerism (or perhaps Darwinism--survival of the fittest) as young and old, women and men, rich and poor laugh, joke, are helpful to the others on line, can get extremely angry or even injure the shopper next to them, to grab the last Barbie left on sale, which when given to their child, they will explain that she has to be kind to fellow children and share. Hmmmm.

For my husband and myself, there was no frenzy shopping and bargain hunting. For those who know us, we tend to find the bargains all year. I’d like to think that I just buy what I like and need and I’m not in it just because it is a bargain, though I’ve been known to enter a dollar store and come out with five huge bags of items, all amazing and useful, but not ever thinking before entering the store that I needed any one of them. I will admit, I have a weakness for shoes. While in the store, those black heels are just what I was looking for, but on returning home, it seems the other dozen heels I already have, look just like them, but hey, they’re in my closet already....My husband Jerry, on the other hand, can’t pass up a bargain, ever. Doesn’t matter if he needs it, if it’s made well and on sale, he has to have it. He will keep it in his closet and every now and then, say, “Hey Judy, what do you think about these shirts I bought?” Now, I could be nice as it’s too late to return them, but I can’t help myself and respond, ”They’re nice if you’re a flamenco dancer. Tangerine, fire engine red, and pistachio green are really not “in “ colors this year. Of course they’re on sale, Jerry, you know why? Because NO ONE ELSE WANTS TO BUY THEM!!!!”

And we’re not just talking shirts. Jerry has boots for snowshoeing (a hobby of the past as this wife decided it’s not on the list of her vacation choices.), boots when the temperature is 25 degrees below zero (he bought his and hers), and, if those weren’t good enough, he bought boots when the temps are 45 below. He returned mine as I said, “If my -25 degree boots aren’t warm enough for wherever we’re going, I ain’t going there, do I make myself clear?” His latest bargain was an oil finished field jacket. What, you haven’t heard of it? Really? Let me explain, it’s designed for general field use: hunting or fishing. Double pockets are expandable to carry more gear, and the icing on the cake--it has a full width game bag in the back that is reachable through a side pocket that is lined with blood-proof nylon. For what, you may ask? Simple, for the small animals or fish you hunt, or catch and need to store till you return home. Of course those wonderful purchases are usually revealed to me when we have guests over. Hmmm, can that be for your protection, Jerry?

Chances are, most of Jerry‘s bargains will never get to be used, but he will definitely be set if he decides to hunt in 45 degree below zero temps.

Here’s a recipe you can try without the line waiting, pushing or shoving:

“Black”ened Tuna with Cajun Mustard

Ingredients:

·2 1/4 pounds fresh tuna steaks, (about 8 portions of tuna) inch thick.

·3 tablespoons Cajun seasoning

·3 tablespoons olive oil

·3 tablespoons butter

Directions:

Heat oil and butter in a large skillet over high heat.

Coat the tuna with Cajun seasoning.

When oil is very hot, place steaks in pan.

Cook on one side for 3 to 4 minutes, or until blackened.

Turn steaks, and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, or to desired doneness.

Remember though that tuna is best when almost raw in the center, the longer it cooks, the tougher it gets and it starts to lose its wonderful flavor.

Cajun Mustard Sauce

·3/4 cup sour cream

·3/4 cup mayonnaise

·2 ¼ tablespoons spicy mustard

·Juice of 1 ½ lemons

·3 tablespoons horseradish

Just mix and serve on the side, on top of tuna or place tuna on top of sauce.