Tuna Tartare With Cucumber Garnish

Reserve 4 small slices (1 oz. each) tuna, and chop remainder by hand into 1/4" dice. Place 1 reserved tuna slice between 2 sheets of plastic wrap, and pound into thin rounds, about 4" in diameter. Repeat with remaining slices.

Remove top sheet of plastic wrap from slices and season lightly with salt to taste. Set aside.

Mix chopped tuna with shallot, garlic, 1 ts. salt, pepper, oil, vinegar and hot pepper sauce.

For Cucumber Garnish: Peel cucumber and cut into long thin strips with vegetable peeler on all sides until you come to seeds. Discard seeds and mix strips with vinegar, oil and salt.

To serve, divide garnish among serving plates. Form chopped tuna mixture into balls and place 1 ball on top of cucumber on each plate.

Wrap slice of tuna around each tuna ball, sprinkle with chives and capers, then serve.