Prep (10 minutes):

1. Prepare the marinade: In a small bowl, combine the chopped chives, fresh dill, fresh tarragon, smoked sweet paprika, ground cumin, ground turmeric, crushed tarragon leaves, and olive oil. Mix well to create a flavorful marinade.

2. Marinate the tuna: Pat the tuna steaks dry with paper towels. Season both sides of the tuna steaks with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Place the tuna steaks in a shallow dish and pour the marinade over them, ensuring both sides are evenly coated. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and marinate the tuna steaks in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes, or up to 30 minutes for deeper flavor.

Cooking (6-8 minutes):

1. Preheat the pan: Heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over high heat. You want the pan to be very hot for a good sear.

2. Sear the tuna steaks: Carefully remove the tuna steaks from the marinade, letting any excess drip back into the dish. Sear the tuna steaks in the hot pan for 3-4 minutes per side, depending on the desired level of doneness.
   Rare: 1-2 minutes per side for a cool, rare center
   Medium-rare (recommended): 2-3 minutes per side for a warm, slightly pink center
   Medium: 3-4 minutes per side for a mostly cooked center
   Tip:  Since tuna steaks are thin, it's easy to overcook them. It's better to err on the side of undercooking and then sear them for a few seconds longer if needed.

Serving (5 minutes):

1. Plate and serve: Transfer the seared tuna steaks to plates. Discard the leftover marinade (due to raw fish). Serve immediately with lemon wedges for squeezing over the tuna, and your favorite side dish like roasted vegetables, salad, or rice.

Tips:

• If you don't have fresh herbs, you can substitute 1 teaspoon each of dried dill and tarragon leaves for the fresh herbs in the marinade. However, fresh herbs offer a brighter and more vibrant flavor.

• Tuna steaks are best served immediately after cooking. They tend to dry out if reheated.

• You can use other marinades or spice rubs on tuna steaks. Experiment with different flavors to find your favorites.

Enjoy these delicious and flavorful herb-marinated seared tuna steaks with tarragon and dill!