Did y’all see my post about our recent trip to Hawaii?
We ate all kinds of delicious, fresh, local food, and once we got home I wanted to recreate poke.
The trick is to start with a really fresh piece of fish. To be considered grade 1, or sushi grade tuna, where you typically are eating it raw – either plain, or lightly dressed – the fish is handled a specific way from the moment it is caught. It is immediately processed, and put on ice. While it used to be that eating fish in a town where you couldn’t smell the ocean was risky (order salmon at a restaurant in Flagstaff, no thank you), now seafood can be carefully insulated and flown most anywhere. In fact, I bet with a quick search I could find a fishmonger in the other Portland to overnight Maine lobsters for tomorrow’s dinner!
Here’s a poke recipe that is a little bit salty, sweet, crunchy, creamy, and oh so delicious. This could be an appetizer, or snack. Turn this into a bowl by layering rice, salad greens, thin sliced cabbage, red pepper, or whatever floats your boat.
Try it and let me know what you think.
Ahi Poke
Ingredients:
- 1 lb #1, or Ahi tuna
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 3 Tbsp mirin
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tsp sriracha
- 1 small shallot, minced
- 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
- 1 avocado, cubed
- 1 cucumber, diced small
- 2 scallions, sliced thin
- Sprinkle of furikake
Directions:
- Chop tuna into small cubes.
- Whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sesame oil, sriracha, shallot and garlic.
- Mix dressing with fish, and chill for one hour.
- Just before serving, mix in avocado, and cucumber. Taste, and adjust seasonings if needed.
- Top with scallions and furikake, and enjoy!
A note about ingredients. First, I forgot how much I love furikake! I’ve been sprinkling it on eggs, steamed veg, salads! I found all my ingredients (minus the tuna) at my local grocery store. I was thinking of taking a field trip out to Uwajimaya, or cruising 82nd, which I may still do just for fun, but I was also doing my regular grocery shopping the day I bought my ingredients and was on a mission, know what I mean? The tuna came from Portland Fish Market on Woodstock.
Are you looking for new recipes, or ways to work more fruits and veggies into your diet? Join our 21 day challenge starting May 1st!
Anne McCranie is a Portland, Oregon based personal trainer and licensed massage therapist. She offers this recipe to tickle your taste buds. Please see your medical professional for specific dietary advice.