2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 and 1/2 lbs ripe plum tomatoes, peeled, coarsely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 cup fresh basil, torn into bite-size pieces
Four 6-ounce tuna steaks (each about 1 inch thick)
Fresh basil sprigs

Directions:

Add onion, celery, parsley and garlic.

Saute until onion is tender but not brown, about 10 minutes.

Add tomatoes and bay leaf.

Cover and refrigerate. (Rewarm before continuing.)

Discard bay leaf. Mix in torn basil.

Season sauce to taste with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle tuna with salt and pepper.

Heat remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil in another heavy large skillet over medium-high heat.

Add tuna and cook until golden and just opaque in center, about 3 minutes per side.

Transfer tuna to platter. Spoon sauce over tuna.