Poppy Seed Albacore with Fennel Salad – Wild Pacific Albacore

Ingredients

• 12-inch-long albacore tuna loin
• Large pinch of saffron
• 1½ cups dried chickpeas, soaked overnight in cold water
• 3 large cloves garlic, coarsely chopped
• Kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 small bulb fennel, greens trimmed
• ¾ cup olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 tbsp. poppy seeds, plus more if needed
• 1/3 cup niçoise olives with pits
• ¾ cup ripe cherry tomatoes, halved
• ¼ cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves
• ¼ cup preserved lemon peel
• Sea salt