Technique of oak-plank cooking great for tuna

Grilling on a wood plank keeps food moist and gives it a mild, smoky flavor. Try it for fish, pork and beef.

That's a message to keep in mind from Judith Fertig, award-winning cookbook writer and columnist for the Kansas City Star, writing in the June issue of Cooking Light magazine.

"Plank cooking is so simple it's almost foolproof," she says. It's an ancient culinary method originally practiced by American Indians on both coasts, she explains -- they cooked salmon on alder boards on the West Coast, for example, and shad on maple in the East.

Plank cooking evolved into a Northwest regional trademark, and it's now become standard fare on restaurant menus across the country.

Here's one of Fertig's recipes to try. Its citrus-flavored mayonnaise, which you can make ahead, takes the heat off the spicy, peppercorn-crusted tuna. Serve over couscous.

Oak-Planked Peppercorn Tuna Steaks with Orange Mayonnaise

One 15-by-6 1/2-by-3/8-inch oak grilling plank

1/4 cup low-fat mayonnaise

1/4 teaspoon grated orange rind

2 tablespoons fresh orange juice

2 teaspoons chopped fresh chives

Four 6-ounce bluefin tuna steaks (about 1 inch thick)

Cooking spray

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons mixed peppercorns, crushed

Immerse and soak plank in water for 1 hour; drain.

Prepare grill, heating one side to medium and one side to high heat.

Combine mayonnaise, rind, juice and chives; stir well with a whisk. Chill.

Lightly coat top of tuna with cooking spray. Sprinkle the tuna with salt; firmly press peppercorns into tuna.

Place plank on grill rack over high heat; grill 5 minutes or until lightly charred. Carefully turn plank over; move to moderate heat. Place tuna on charred side of plank. Cover and grill 10 minutes or until desired degree of doneness. Serve tuna with orange mayonnaise.

Makes 4 servings (each 1 steak and 1 1/2 tablespoons orange mayonnaise).

Nutrition information per serving: 245 cal., 6.7 g fat (1.2 g saturated fat), 40.1 g pro., 3.4 g carbo., 0.7 g fiber, 82 mg chol., 528 mg sodium.