Ahi Tuna Poke Appetizer

If you love Hawaiian poke as much as I do, but don’t want to fly halfway around the world to get it, this ahi poke recipe is the answer. The key is in the amazing poke sauce recipe, which is tangy, spicy and rich with umami flavors. We serve this ahi tuna appetizer with plantain chips for scooping or over sticky white rice for an ahi tuna poke bowl. Try it, you’ll love it.

What Is Ahi Tuna?

Ahi is the Hawaiian name describing either Big Eye tuna or Yellowfin tuna. Yellowfin is abundant in South Florida and what I used for this Hawaiian Poke. It’s a firm, buttery, semi-dark meat fish that’s great blackened or grilled, but really shines when seared or served raw as in this ahi tuna appetizer.

Where To Find Fresh Tuna 

Unfortunately, sourcing good, fresh ahi tuna is largely dependent on where you live. If you’re close to the Atlantic or Pacific oceans, you’ll probably have an easier time sourcing it. If you’re not near an ocean, the best I can say is to get to know your local fishmonger and see if they can order some special for you. Preferably no more than 24-48 hours old from doorstep to doorstep.  

How To Choose Fresh Fish 

• Only buy from a reputable fishmonger whom you trust.
• Fresh tuna should be firm, shiny and a uniform color — usually a rosy pink to a deeper red color (depending on the type of tuna and what part it’s been cut from).
• It should look moist, but not overly wet.
• If it’s dry, flaky or browned on the edges, it’s likely not fresh — don’t buy it.
• Smell it. To me, this is the single biggest tell as to whether fish is fresh or not. It shouldn’t smell fishy. In fact, it should smell clean and if it has any odor, it should be of the ocean.

 

 

Ingredients For Ahi Poke Recipe

• Ahi Tuna (really fresh)
• Red Onion
• Cucumber
• Edamame
• Green Onions
• Cilantro (optional)
• Toasted Sesame Seeds (optional)
• Black Sesame Seeds (optional)

Poke (pronounced po-kay) is a traditional Hawaiian diced marinated ahi tuna salad. It can be the mainstay of a meal, or served as an appetizer.

The South Florida Connection

Here in South Florida, you’ll find poke on restaurant menus everywhere. That’s partly due to the freshness and sheer abundance of local yellowfin tuna. As a result, I’ve probably sampled about 15 different versions of poke at numerous area dining halls and have combined aspects from my favorites into this interpretation — which also includes thinly sliced cucumber, edamame, green and red onion and a bit of cilantro (not traditional, but good).

 

The key to a good poke (in my humble opinion) is the marinade and this poke sauce recipe hits all the right notes.

Hawaiian Poke Sauce Recipe Ingredients

• Low Sodium Soy Sauce
• Sesame Oil
• Ponzu Sauce
• Sugar
• Rice Wine Vinegar
• Sriracha (or red chili paste)
• Fresh Grated Ginger
• Lime Juice

Whisk together the ingredients for the sauce into a small bowl, then taste for seasoning and adjust accordingly.

 

Honestly, you could simply combine the tuna with this flavorful sauce and be done — it would be fabulous. The extras just make it that much better. I’ve used a mandoline to shave the cucumber into paper-thin slices, but if you don’t have one, you can also dice it into pieces about the same size as the cucumber. 

 

Assembling Ahi Tuna Appetizer

1. In a medium bowl, combine the diced tuna, cucumber and red onion.
2. Dress the ahi tuna poke with about half of the poke sauce recipe, just to lightly coat the poke. 
3. Add edamame and sliced green onions and toss to combine. If it needs more dressing, add it a tablespoon at a time. You want it coated but not goopy.
4. Transfer the poke to a serving dish or bowl and garnish with toasted and black sesame seeds and a bit of cilantro.
5. Serve any extra sauce on the side for dipping or drizzling along with crispy plantain chips.

 

Other Ways To Serve Ahi Tuna Poke

• Deep fry wonton wrappers in vegetable oil until crispy and top with a scoop of Hawaiian poke for a “nacho” effect.
• Spoon over sticky white rice and serve with sliced avocado and shredded carrot for a simple poke bowl. Drizzle with leftover poke sauce.
• For an elegant hors d’oeuvre, fill Chinese spoons with ahi tuna poke and top with a bit of tobiko or masago roe.

 

More Seafood Appetizers:

• Fancy Baked Sea Scallops
• Pan Fried Oysters Oreganata
• Grilled Shrimp Cocktail
• Mardi Gras Grilled Oysters
• Snapper and Pineapple Ceviche

 

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