TUNA TACOS
Ingredients
Serves 2 to 3
1 x 6 oz (180 g) tuna steak
2 tbsp (30 ml) hoisin sauce
12 small tortillas
½ cup (125 ml) mayonnaise
1 tbsp (15 ml) Sriracha
1 small red pepper, sliced
1 cup (250 ml) green cabbage, shredded
½ cup (125 ml) red cabbage, shredded
2 tbsp (30 ml) toasted sesame seeds
¼ cup (60 ml) cilantro, chopped
1 lime, cut into wedges
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high heat.
- Brush tuna steak with hoisin sauce. Grill tuna on each side for 2 to 3 minutes. While grill is hot, toast tortillas, 1 minute maximum. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, mix mayonnaise and Sriracha together. Place all ingredients on a large platter. Slice tuna lengthwise into strips. For assembly, spread Sriracha mayonnaise on tortilla. Top with tuna, red pepper and cabbage. Garnish with sesame seeds, cilantro and juice of a lime wedge.
Drink Pairings
SALMON WITH GRILLED NECTARINE SALSA
Ingredients
Serves 2
½ red onion, diced
1 red pepper, diced
½ jalapeño, diced
1 cup (250 ml) cilantro, chopped
1 lime, juice only
1 tbsp (30 ml) neutral-flavoured oil
2 nectarines, halved, pitted
2 x 3 oz (90 g) salmon fillet, skin on
½ lime, cut into wedges, for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat barbecue to medium-high with lid closed.
- In a medium bowl, mix diced onion, red pepper, jalapeño, cilantro and lime juice. Season to taste and let sit
- Brush grill with oil. Leaving lid open, place cut side of nectarines onto grill for about 3 minutes. Remove and let cool.
- Season each salmon fillet with a pinch of salt. Lay flesh side down on grill for about 3 minutes with lid open. Flip salmon and grill for another 3 minutes or until centre is just opaque.
- Once nectarines have cooled, dice and add to salsa mixture. To serve, garnish salmon with salsa and lime wedge.
Drink Pairings
TUNA AVOCADO TARTARE
Ingredients
Serves about 8 to 10, depending on size of mould
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped shallots
1½ tbsp (22 ml) flour
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt, divided
½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil, for frying
⅓ cup (75 ml) olive oil
3 cups (750 ml) sashimi-grade ahi tuna, diced, about ½-in (1.25 cm) cubes
3 medium avocados, diced, about ½-in (1.25 cm) cubes
3 tbsp (45 ml) lemon juice, divided
½ tsp (2.5 ml) Tabasco sauce
pepper, to taste
¼ cup (60 ml) soy sauce
2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
3 tbsp (45 ml) mirin
2 tsp (10 ml) honey
½ tbsp (7 ml) chili oil
micro greens for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, toss shallots with flour and ⅛ tsp (pinch) salt. Toss well. In a small saucepan over high heat, heat vegetable oil. When hot, fry shallots in oil until light golden in colour. Do not wait for deeper colour or it may burn. Remove from oil and drain on paper towel. Allow to cool to room temperature and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, pour olive oil over diced ahi tuna. Mix well. Set aside.
- In non-reactive bowl, toss diced avocados with 2 tbsp (30 ml) lemon juice and Tabasco sauce. Season with ⅛ tsp (pinch) salt and pepper, to taste. Set aside.
- In a jar, combine soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin, 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice, honey and chili oil. Put lid on jar and shake dressing vigorously until well combined, about 15 seconds.
- Spoon avocado mixture into mould of desired shape; about ¾-in (2 cm) to 1-in (2.5 cm) high. Top with tuna, about 1½-in (3.75 cm) high. Lightly press tuna and avocado into mould and slowly lift it to leave a perfectly shaped serving of tuna and avocado tartare. Alternatively, simply spoon tuna over avocado as desired. Drizzle dressing over tartare and spoon some around it. Top with fried shallots and garnish with micro greens, if desired.
Drink Pairings
PRESSED SABA SUSHI
Ingredients
Serves 2 to 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) freshly grated ginger
1 tsp (5 ml) salt, divided
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
2 tbsp (30 ml) rice vinegar
2 fresh mackerel (saba) fillets, deboned
¾ cup (175 ml) sushi rice
1 cup (250 ml) water
3 tbsp (45 ml) chopped green onions (optional)
2 tbsp (30 ml) chopped Japanese pickled daikon (optional)
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, bring ginger, ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt, sugar and rice vinegar to a boil. Switch to low heat, cover and let simmer for about 1 minute. Remove from heat and allow to cool to room temperature.
- Season mackerel fillets with remaining ½ tsp (2.5 ml) salt on both sides and allow to rest for 15 minutes. Pat dry and grill on high heat until done or pan fry about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Rinse and strain rice a couple of times. In a small saucepan bring rice and 1 cup (250 ml) water to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for about 20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed. Alternatively, cook rice as per package directions. Transfer steamed rice to bowl and pour ginger dressing over it. Using a spatula, cut through rice and gently turn over to help rice cool as it incorporates dressing.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap, roughly 16-in (40 cm) wide, on a clean surface. Place 1 mackerel fillet in middle, skin side down. Spoon about ½ of steamed rice over fish to completely cover it. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap to shape into thick bar. Repeat step with second mackerel fillet.
- To serve, remove plastic wrap and cut diagonally. Garnish with chopped green onions and pickled daikon as desired.
Drink Pairings
TEMARI SUSHI
Ingredients
Serves 6 to 8
2 cups (500 ml) sushi rice
3 cups (750 ml) water
⅓ cup (75 ml) rice vinegar
3 tbsp (45 ml) sugar
2 tsp (10 ml) salt
pickled ginger, to serve
soy sauce, to serve
TOPPING SUGGESTIONS:
strips of nori (seaweed) with thinly sliced
cucumber and carrot
sashimi-grade salmon with thinly sliced pickled daikon
thinly sliced cucumber with shrimp
thinly sliced pickled daikon with fish roe
sashimi-grade salmon with fanned avocado slices
avocado slices with strips of nori and thinly sliced carrot
Instructions
- Rinse rice well, soak for 30 minutes then drain. In a medium saucepan, bring rice and 3 cups (750 ml) water to a boil. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for another 20 minutes or until all water is absorbed. Transfer cooked rice to a large glass bowl.
- In a medium saucepan, heat rice vinegar, sugar and salt together and stir until sugar has dissolved. Evenly pour hot vinegar mixture over cooked rice and using edge of spatula “cut” dressing into rice. Do not stir to mix. Use a piece of cardboard to fan mixture as dressing is cut into rice to cool it. Flip portions of rice over and continue cutting and cooling rice. Cover with a damp tea towel until ready to use.
- Shape 2 tbsp (30 ml) of sushi rice into a ball and place on tray or large plate. Repeat with remaining rice. Place a piece of plastic wrap on a clean counter, roughly 10-in x 12-in (25 cm x 30 cm). Place toppings of choice (get creative!) in centre of plastic wrap then place a rice ball over it. Gather ends of plastic wrap together and twist to form a tight ball. Repeat with remaining rice balls and toppings. Set aside.
- When ready to serve, remove plastic wrap and serve right side up with pickled ginger and soy sauce, if desired.
Drink Pairings
PRAWN LAKSA
Ingredients
Serves 4
3 tbsp (45 ml) coconut oil
3 tsp (15 ml) garlic, chopped
3 tbsp (45 ml) sambal oelek chili paste, or to taste, based on preferred spice level
6 tbsp (90 ml) laksa paste
1 chopped Thai red chili (optional)
2 tsp (10 ml) sugar
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
6 slices ginger
6 slices galangal
1 stalk lemongrass, crushed
4 cups (1 L) chicken stock
1 x 13.6 oz (403 ml) can coconut milk
4 eggs, at room temperature (this will prevent them from cracking when boiled)
12 oz (340 g) fresh Chinese wheat or egg noodles, cooked according to package instructions
24 sustainable prawn tails, peeled and deveined
4 tofu puffs, cut in half
1 cup (250 ml) bean sprouts
8 sprigs fresh cilantro, trimmed, for garnish
8 sprigs fresh mint, trimmed, for garnish
8 sprigs fresh Thai basil, trimmed, for garnish
1 lime, cut into wedges
Chili Oil, for garnish, make ahead, recipe follows
CHILI OIL:
½ cup (125 ml) vegetable oil
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
2 tsp (10 ml) rice vinegar
2 tsp (10 ml) mirin
¼ cup (60 ml) finely chopped garlic
2 tbsp (30 ml) red pepper chili flakes
Instructions
- In a large pot over medium heat, heat coconut oil. Add garlic, sambal oelek and laksa paste. Fry for 2 minutes, or until fragrant. Add chilies (if using), sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, ginger, galangal, lemongrass, chicken stock and coconut milk. Simmer over medium-low heat for 30 minutes, then remove ginger, galangal and lemongrass and discard.
- While broth is simmering, bring a small pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add eggs and return water to a boil. Turn heat down to medium and simmer for 4 minutes. Immediately drain and place eggs in ice water for 10 minutes. Peel and cut in half, set aside until serving.
- Divide hot cooked noodles into 4 bowls and set aside.
- Return broth to a boil over high heat. Add prawns and tofu puffs and turn down heat to medium. Cook until prawns have turned pink and opaque, about 1 to 2 minutes. Divide prawns and tofu puffs between each bowl. Add 1 cup (250 ml) broth to each bowl and garnish each with 1 egg, bean sprouts, cilantro, mint, Thai basil, lime wedges and Chili Oil, to taste.
- To make CHILI OIL: In a small saucepan, add vegetable oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, mirin and garlic. Place over high heat. Once garlic starts to sizzle, reduce heat to low. Cook for about 10 to 20 minutes, or just until garlic turns light brown. Stir occasionally so that garlic doesn’t stick to bottom.
- While garlic is cooking, place chili flakes in a heatproof bowl large enough to hold vegetable oil and garlic. As soon as garlic turns light brown, pour garlic and oil mixture over chili flakes and stir. Once chili oil has cooled, pour into a resealable container and refrigerate overnight before using. Chili oil can be refrigerated for up to 3 days. Makes about ⅔ cup (150 ml)
Drink Pairings
MAHI MAHI WITH TURMERIC CURRY
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 tbsp (30 ml) ground coriander
1 tbsp (15 ml) ground cumin
1 tsp (5 ml) whole mustard seeds
4 tbsp (60 ml) vegetable oil, divided
2 medium yellow onions, diced
1 tbsp + 2 tsp (15 ml + 10 ml) salt, divided
1 tbsp (15 ml) chopped garlic
1 to 4 serrano chilies, chopped, or to taste based on preferred spice level, plus 1 sliced for garnish (optional)
2 tomatoes, chopped
3 tbsp (45 ml) chopped fresh ginger
¼ cup (60 ml) chopped fresh turmeric (or 2 tbsp (30 ml) turmeric powder)
4 tsp (20 ml) tamarind paste
2 tsp (10 ml) garam masala
4 cups (1 L) fish or vegetable stock
¼ cup (60 ml) cashews, soaked overnight in water then drained
8 x 3 to 4 oz (90 to 125 g) mahi mahi fillets
1 pinch pepper
½ cup (125 ml) cauliflower florets, blanched
1 green onion, julienned and placed in cold water to curl
4 sprigs fresh cilantro
2 tbsp (30 ml) toasted cashews, crushed
Naan, make ahead, recipe follows
NAAN:
1¼ oz (7 g) package active dry yeast
¾ cup (175 ml) warm water
2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
2 tbsp (30 ml) sugar
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
2 tbsp (30 ml) yogurt
2 tbsp (30 ml) olive oil
Instructions
- In a small frying pan over medium heat, toast ground coriander, ground cumin and mustard seeds until fragrant and mustard seeds start to pop. Put spices in a bowl once toasted, do not leave in pan as they will burn.
- In a medium to large saucepan, heat 2 tbsp (30 ml) oil over medium-low heat. Add onions and 1 tbsp (15 ml) salt and cook until onions are golden brown, stirring frequently while cooking. Add garlic and chilies and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, ginger, turmeric, tamarind paste and garam masala and cook for an additional 15 minutes. Add stock and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
- In a blender, pour in curry and cashews and blend for 3 to 8 minutes (depending on power of blender) until smooth and thick. Transfer curry into a clean pot, taste and adjust seasoning.
- Pat dry mahi mahi fillets with paper towel and season with remaining 2 tsp (10 ml) salt and pepper and remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) vegetable oil. Heat non-stick grill pan over medium-high heat until hot. Add mahi mahi and cook for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- To serve, place ½ cup (125 ml) curry in each bowl and top with 2 mahi mahi fillets per serving. Garnish with green onion, blanched cauliflower, sliced serrano chili (optional) cilantro and toasted cashews. Serve with hot naan.
- To make NAAN: In a bowl, add yeast to warm water and let sit until yeast has dissolved, about 5 minutes.
- In a medium-sized mixing bowl, mix flour, sugar and salt. Add yeast and water mixture, yogurt and olive oil. Mix with hands or a wooden spoon just until blended and a shaggy dough has formed. Fold dough over itself in bowl about 8 to 10 times (dough will be too loose to knead). Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let rise at room temperature for 1 hour, or refrigerate overnight.
- Once dough has risen, punch it down and divide into 8 pieces. On a heavily floured board, with a rolling pin, roll each piece flat, about ½-in (1.25 cm) thick. Heat a heavy-bottomed frying pan over medium-high heat. Take 1 naan and dust off excess flour. Place in frying pan and cook for about 1 to 2 minutes. Naan will bubble up. Flip when golden brown. Cook other side for about 1 to 2 minutes. Place naan in a towel-lined bowl or basket. Repeat with remaining naan and serve hot. Makes 8 naan.
Drink Pairings
COCONUT LIME AND CHILI SPOT PRAWNS SERVED WITH COCONUT RICE
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
1 lime
⅓ cup (75 ml) coconut milk
⅓ cup (75 ml) finely chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 to 2 Thai red chilies, seeded and finely chopped
1 tbsp (15 ml) fish sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) soy sauce
1½ lbs (750 g) large spot prawn tails, peeled, deveined
toasted coconut flakes, for garnish
lime wedges, for garnish
Coconut Rice, to serve, recipe follows
COCONUT RICE:
2 cups (500 ml) jasmine rice
1½ cups (375 ml) water
1 cup (250 ml) unsweetened coconut milk
1 tsp (5 ml) salt
toasted coconut flakes, for garnish
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, cut long strips of rind from lime. Juice the lime, reserving 1½ tbsp (22 ml), set aside.
- In a bowl, mix together coconut milk, cilantro, garlic, chilies, fish sauce, soy sauce and lime rind. Place mixture into a resealable plastic bag and add prawns. Seal bag, mix well and refrigerate 3 to 4 hours to marinate.
- Preheat a barbecue grill on medium-high heat. Add reserved lime juice to prawn mixture. Toss to coat. Remove prawns, reserving some marinade, and thread prawns onto skewers. Grill, brushing with reserved marinade, for 1 to 2 minutes each side, or until pink and lightly charred. Remove from grill, sprinkle with toasted coconut flakes and serve skewers with lime wedges, cilantro and coconut rice.
- To make COCONUT RICE: Rinse and drain rice in cold water. Place rice in a saucepan with water, coconut milk and salt. Place saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Stir and reduce heat to lowest setting and cover pot tightly with lid. Continue cooking for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 10 minutes. Fluff with fork, garnish with toasted coconut flakes and serve.
Drink Pairings
GREEN PAPAYA AND CHILI SPOT PRAWN SALAD
Ingredients
Serves 4
2 Thai red chilies, seeded and finely chopped
3 tbsp (45 ml) lime juice, divided
2 garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
1 lb (500 g) BC spot prawns tails, peeled, deveined
1 x 3½ oz (100 g) package dried rice vermicelli noodles
2 tbsp (30 ml) fish sauce
1 tbsp (15 ml) brown sugar
½ medium to large green papaya, peeled, seeded, finely shredded
1 shallot, thinly sliced
8 to 10 grape tomatoes, halved
1 cup (250 ml) bean sprouts
2 green onions, finely chopped
½ cup (125 ml) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
½ cup (125 ml) fresh mint leaves
½ cup (125 ml) coarsely chopped fresh Thai basil leaves
Instructions
- Reserve a quarter of the chopped chilies. In a non-reactive bowl, combine remaining chilies with 1 tbsp (15 ml) lime juice, garlic cloves and olive oil. Add prawns and toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
- In a heatproof bowl, place noodles and cover with boiling water. Set aside to soften, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water. Drain well and set aside.
- To make dressing, in a small bowl or screw-top jar, add fish sauce, brown sugar, remaining 2 tbsp (30 ml) lime juice and reserved chopped chilies. Whisk or shake to combine.
- In a separate bowl, combine shredded papaya, shallot, tomatoes, bean sprouts, green onions, cilantro, mint, Thai basil and reserved noodles. Add dressing and toss to combine.
- Heat a non-stick skillet over high heat. Add prawns and cook, turning, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until pink and just cooked through. Divide papaya mixture between serving plates. Top with prawns and drizzle any extra pan juices. Serve immediately.
Drink Pairings
SPOT PRAWN CEVICHE
Ingredients
Serves 4 to 6
8 cups (2 L) water
¼ cup (60 ml) kosher salt
1 lb (500 g) BC spot prawn tails, peeled, deveined
2 lemons, juice only
2 limes, juice only
2 medium oranges, juice only
1 cup (250 ml) seeded, peeled English cucumber, cut into ¼-in (0.5 cm) dice
½ cup (125 ml) finely chopped red onion
2 jalapeño or serrano chilies, seeded and finely chopped
1 cup (250 ml) seeded, heirloom cherry tomatoes, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) dice
1 avocado, cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) dice
2 green onions, finely sliced
¼ cup (60 ml) coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
2 tbsp (30 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
¼ tsp (1 ml) salt
¼ tsp (1 ml) pepper
Instructions
- In a large saucepan, combine water and kosher salt, then bring to a boil over high heat. Add spot prawns and immediately turn off heat. Let prawns sit until just cooked through, about 2 minutes. Drain and set aside until cool enough to handle. Transfer to cutting board and cut into ½-in (1.25 cm) pieces and place into a nonreactive bowl.
- To bowl, add citrus juices, cucumber, red onion and chilies. Refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Stir in tomatoes, avocado, green onions, chopped cilantro, olive oil and salt and pepper. Let stand at room temperature 30 minutes before serving. Serve ceviche with tortilla chips.