Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Yellowfin Tuna Kabobs

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh Yellowfin Tuna, cut into 3-4 thick steaks

1 Tbl Sesame Seed Oil

1/4 cup Vegetable Oil

1/4 cup Soy Sauce

2 Tbl Orange Juice

1 Tbl Honey

1 Tbl Dry Ginger

1 Tbl Garlic, minced

1 cup wood chips, soaked in water for one hour

12 Medium Domestic Mushrooms, cut in half

12 Pineapple Chunks

1 Red Onion, peeled and cut into 1 1/2-inch squares

1 Red Bell Pepper, cut into 12 1-inch squares

2 Tbl Olive Oil

2 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Black Pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

Mix together the sesame oil, vegetable oil, soy sauce, orange juice, honey, ginger, and garlic and blend well. Place the tuna and marinade into a large baggie. Seal the baggie and refrigerate one hour.

Prepare the smoker for indirect VERY LOW heat. Place the marinated tuna as far from the heat as possible and place a small handful of chips on the coals. Smoke the tuna 30-40 minutes, making sure that the tuna does not cook. Remove the tuna from the smoker and refrigerate one hour.

Once the tuna has chilled completely, cut the steaks into 1 1/2-2” cubes.

Using 12 skewers, alternately skewer the tuna with the vegetables. Each skewer should have two pieces of mushrooms, two pieces of onion, one pineapple and one bell pepper piece, along with the tuna.

Prepare the grill. Brush the skewers with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill over direct-high heat for 5-7 minutes, turning once. Use the remaining marinade to brush the skewers while cooking.

Yield: 6 servings

Recent Recipes

Potato Gratin

Potatoes are the one vegetable I could never give up. Fried, roasted, mashed, or scalloped—doesn’t matter, they’re always on the table in one form or another. This gratin is my favorite way to make them feel a little more special. It’s rich, creamy, and just decadent enough to make it feel like you’re putting in some extra effort. There’s a good bit of cheese in this recipe, but that’s exactly how it should be. The combination of sharp white Cheddar, gruyere, and Parmesan gives it the perfect balance of nuttiness, creaminess, and tang. And using Yukon gold potatoes instead of russets makes a big difference. They have just the right amount of starch to get creamy without getting mushy. This dish is a showstopper on the holiday table, but I’d eat it on a random Tuesday without hesitation.

Read more

Orange Cranberry Muffins

These muffins are like Christmas morning in a bite—bright, citrusy orange paired with tart, bursting cranberries. The combination feels like something you'd find in a festive basket dropped off by a thoughtful neighbor. Perfect for Christmas gift giving or to have on hand for guests throughout the holiday.

Read more

Chocolate Christmas Cheesecake

Chef Linda Roderick has been by my side through these cookbooks for over two decades, and there’s no one I’d rather have guiding me through a cheesecake recipe. She’s a master of the craft—steady, exacting, and always aiming for perfection. This rich, decadent chocolate cheesecake is no exception. It's all about balance. The deep, smooth chocolate filling meets a crisp, slightly salty crust for a perfect bite every time. Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing—otherwise, you’ll end up with lumps. And when you melt the chocolate, give it time to cool slightly before mixing it into the batter, so you don’t end up with curdled filling. It’s worth the patience, every time. A few techniques can elevate this recipe to another level: chilling the dough overnight for a richer flavor, using a water bath to ensure an ultra-smooth texture, and letting the cheesecake rest for at least 24 hours before serving for the best flavor.

Read more