Spicy ahi poke is a delicious fish dish that combines the flavors of tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili peppers.
The perfect balance of heat and savory flavors make it a great appetizer or entree.
The combination of ahi tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili peppers creates a depth of flavor that will leave your taste buds wanting more.
What ingredients are needed to make spicy ahi poke?
Spicy ahi poke combines ingredients that are fairly simple to find.
All you need is tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, and chili peppers.
You can find both of these ingredients at any local grocery store.
A handful of people have substituted ahi tuna with salmon.
However, salmon does not contain the same amount of omega-3 fatty acids as tuna.
Salmon is a good alternative if you want to cut down on carbohydrates and increase the protein content of your spicy ahi poke recipe.
Soy sauce does not contain any sugar, unlike traditional mayonnaise.
Any type of soy sauce will work for this recipe.
The ones made in Australia are reportedly lower in sodium than others, so search for those.
How long does it take to prepare a spicy ahi poke recipe?
The preparation of spicy ahi poke is fairly simple.
All the ingredients should be stored in the refrigerator, and you can make it up to two days in advance.
The only chopping required is for the onion.
Other than that, all you have to do is marinade your fish and bake it in the oven.
It will take about 10 minutes from start to finish, so don’t expect this recipe to be quick.
What type of fish should be used for a spicy ahi poke recipe?
The type of fish that is used for a spicy ahi poke recipe must have a mild flavor, slightly chewy texture and white meat.
The best kind of tuna to use is albacore, as it has the right amount of fat and the right texture.
Are there any special techniques needed for preparing a spicy ahi poke recipe?
There are some special techniques for preparing spicy ahi poke that you should be aware of.
While anyone can make this fish dish, it takes more time to make it right than to use pre-made pouches.
However, the result is well worth the effort.
1. Sautéing the fish
Before cooking your spicy ahi poke recipe, you first need to sauté the fish.
Typically, you’ll start with ahi tuna steaks, but you could also use chunk white tuna or sashimi-grade tuna.
Start by heating 1 tablespoon of oil over medium heat in a large skillet.
Once the oil starts to get hot, add the fish and cook for approximately 3 minutes on each side or until well seared.
Then place the fish on paper towels to completely drain any excess oil before proceeding with the rest of the recipe.
2. Cooking and stirring soy sauce mixture
After your ahi tuna is seared and drained, place it back in the pan with 1/4 cup of soy sauce.
Use a light hand when mixing this soy sauce ingredient with your fish because soy sauce can burn quickly.
Stirring at this point prevents burning, and evenly coats all sides of your fish.
The next step is to cook over medium heat for roughly 30 seconds or until the top is bubbly and slightly browned.
Then add an additional teaspoon of soy sauce.
3. Adding chili peppers
Next, add two teaspoons sesame oil to your pan along with two minced fresh chili peppers (such as serrano or jalapeño).
Stir continuously for about 30 seconds until all ingredients combine into a paste (do not let this mixture burn!).
You can add more chili peppers if you prefer extra spice.
Also, if you have access to sriracha hot sauce, feel free to douse your spicy ahi poke recipe all you like!
What type of sauce should be used in a spicy ahi poke recipe?
The type of sauce you use in your spicy ahi poke recipe plays a huge role in the final product.
The traditional Hawaiian favorite maki rolls contain chopped tuna, soy sauce, and seaweed, but many different types of sauces are available at the supermarket.
You can find all types of sauces at your local Asian food market or supermarket, including Japanese, Korean, Hawaiian, and Thai varieties.
With so many different spicy ahi poke recipes on the market, it’s best to start with a basic one.
In this case, a simple soy sauce based spicy ahi poke recipe is ideal.
Sesame oil adds additional flavor to the dish.
For this recipe we’ll use the basic soy sauce based spicy poke recipe to help you prepare an elegant dinner for the family.
If you prefer a more complex flavor profile with a little bit of heat, consider trying out one of these spicy ahi poke recipes.
How should the fish be cut for a spicy ahi poke recipe?
There are two methods for preparing ahi tuna for an ahi poke recipe.
First, you can use a fine-toothed filet knife to cut slices through the entire length and width of each piece of fish.
This method is most suitable for traditional ahi poke recipes, such as Ahi Poke Burrito or Ahi Poke Rice Bowl.
Alternatively, you can break the fish into smaller pieces by cutting the center part of the fish between the bones and then making diagonal cuts along both sides of each piece.
To create small portions on a plate, preheat your oven to 300 degrees F (148 degrees C).
Place the fish in a single layer on a baking sheet and place it in the oven until it is completely cooked through (about 15 to 20 minutes).
What vegetables should be included in a spicy ahi poke recipe?
Spicy ahi poke recipe can be as simple or creative as you like.
There are several vegetables that can easily be incorporated into this dish.
Cucumber and avocado are great additions because they provide fresh flavor without any added calories.
Some restaurants use mango to add a sweetness to the recipe.
Here at Meal Maker’s Guide, we believe mango is delicious and works very well with a combination of ingredients like spicy ahi poke, spicy ahi poke recipe, spicy tuna poke recipe, spicy tuna poke sauce, and even a delicious tuna poke bowl.
Mango benefits from the sweet and sour flavors of the entree it is used in.
It also adds a balance of sweetness to the dish while still allowing you to enjoy the spice of the other ingredients.
There are many other vegetables that can be added to spicy ahi poke recipe including:
- Celery
- Carrots
- Cucumber
- Cabbage
- Zucchini
What type of garnish should be used for a spicy ahi poke recipe?
In a spicy ahi poke recipe, the vegetables are not cooked or included in the preparation.
That is because they will add too much moisture to the dish and make it soggy.
Instead, they are considered to be garnishes.
There are two types of garnishes that are used in spicy ahi poke:
- Sauce
- Garnish
Sauces and garnishes can be made from any type of plant material, including fresh herbs, spices, fruits and vegetables.
1. Garnishes
Garnishes are used when the flavors of spicy ahi poke recipe is not desired to be highlighted.
They can act as a modifier or to add flavor.
For example, if you want your spicy ahi poke recipe to taste sweet, you can place some cherries or diced pineapple on top of your bowl before serving.
When you serve it, you will notice that the sour cherries and pineapple complement the smokiness of your spicy ahi poke.
2. Sauces
Sauces should be used when you have something really important to emphasize in your spicy ahi poke recipe.
For example, if your family enjoys fish tacos, but you don’t like them fishy, you can use an avocado sauce to install some avocado flavor without making the dish taste fishy.
How can the flavor of a spicy ahi poke be enhanced?
Spicy ahi poke is one of those dishes that is difficult to improve upon.
However, the flavors of the recipe can be added to and enriched to give it additional depth.
The easiest way to enhance the flavor of this spicy ahi poke recipe is through various garnishes.
How should a spicy ahi poke be served?
The traditional way of enjoying spicy ahi poke is to eat it as an appetizer.
The poke is served in its raw form, which allows you to enjoy the full variety of flavors.
However, if you prefer, you can also prepare the poke for cooking and then add in the seasonings just before serving.
Spicy ahi poke is great prepared with rice or wrapped in a seaweed roll.
Equipment
- Bowl
Ingredients
- ¼ cup kewpie mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons sriracha
- 1 teaspoon shoyu
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 pound sashimi grade ‘ahi
- 2 teaspoons green onion thinly sliced
Instructions
- Combine mayonnaise, sriracha, shoyu, and sesame oil in a small bowl. Set aside after thoroughly mixing.
- Next, cut the ‘ahi into small cubes that are about 3/4 inch thick.
- Place the ‘ahi cubes in a bowl and top with the spicy mayo mixture and green onion. Toss gently to coat.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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Nutrition
My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.