Albacore Tataki, Beluga Lentils, Lemon Soy Emulsion

Albacore Tataki, Beluga Lentils, Lemon Soy Emulsion

Albacore Tataki with Beluga Lentils
Lemon Soy Emulsion, Chili Oil
Sesame Seeds, Basil, Cilantro

An exquisite culinary experience, often reserved for high-end Michelin-starred restaurants, combines raw bluefin tuna with Beluga caviar. Here, in this “tuna & caviar” alternative, the more sustainable and economical albacore takes center stage.

Beautiful wild Alaskan albacore is marinated in a delectable sweet-soy-ginger-garlic mixture then briefly seared and caramelized in a hot pan. This tantalizing dish is playfully paired with Beluga lentils, known for their small, glossy black appearance that resembles the famed caviar.

Beluga lentils offer their own distinct charm. They may not replicate the luxury of caviar, but they bring a delightful earthy character all their own to the delicious tuna, without the extravagant price tag!

Albacore Tataki Recipe

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Tartine de Thon

Tartine de Thon

Tartine de Thon

Bistro Style Open-Faced Tuna Sandwich
WITH Fire Roasted Hatch Chiles

The second post in my “Bistro Collection” inspired by Bouchon and Chef Thomas Keller is a Tartine de Thon. This is simply a French bistro style open-faced tuna sandwich with a side of pommes frites… But it is très magnifique and muy magnífico with a French-New Mexico fusion twist!

My tuna salad recipe includes Roasted Hatch Chiles from New Mexico, plus lime juice & cilantro to complement the smoky green chiles. Served on a toasted thick slice of artisan seeded boule, it is un déjeuner parfait.

Bouchon Bistro

Tartine de Thon Recipe

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Ahi Poke and Sustainable Seafood

Ahi Poke and Seared Ahi

Hawaiian Ahi Poke and Seared Ahi

As food photographer for the upcoming 4th Annual Sustainable Seafood Expo, I had the opportunity to meet Shane Yoshimoto of Ali’i Fish Company and photograph (and taste!) his fabulous Hawaiian ahi dishes.

We are so excited for the upcoming grand-opening of Ali’i Fish in downtown Los Angeles where always-fresh Hawaiian seafood is expertly prepared to let the pristine nature of the fish shine through.

Quality, taste, sustainability, and authenticity are all hallmarks of Ali’i seafood. Raw fish has the potential to cause foodborne illness, so the sourcing, handling, and processing are of utmost importance to them.

Recently, the classic Hawaiian raw fish dish “poke” has exploded in popularity here on the mainland. Unfortunately, much of the raw tuna is imported and many foreign fishing fleets are not held to the same standards as U.S. fleets. To make a more healthful choice and to support sustainability, be sure to check the source of the tuna you choose to eat.

Shane says, “Ali’i Fish Company was founded with the idea of serving high quality, authentic poke and seafood dishes. Many of our ingredients are flown directly from Hawaii and our fish is always fresh and never frozen or treated with carbon monoxide gas.  We believe in sourcing from sustainable fisheries such as Hawaii and supporting US product when made available.  With over 40 years of combined seafood experience in Hawaii, not one aspect of our process goes unnoticed.”

Their Sesame Onion Ahi Poke will be served at the Sustainable Seafood Expo on October 1st. I’m very grateful to Shane for sharing his superb recipe here on Taste With The Eyes.

Sustainable Seafood

According to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch yellowfin tuna caught in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean (WCPO) with handlines is a “Best Choice.” Yellowfin stocks are depleted everywhere except in the WCPO. Handlines have very low bycatch, and no species of concern are caught by this fishery.

Yellowfin and bigeye tuna caught in Hawaii’s Eastern Central Pacific Ocean (ECPO) with deep-set longlines is a “Good Alternative.” Hawaiian fleets have lower bycatch than international longline fisheries because of tougher U.S. regulations.

Ali’i Fish Co. Ahi Poke Recipe

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Tuna Melt Flatbread

Tuna Melt Flatbread

Tuna Melt Flatbread
with Tomatoes and Pickles

Who doesn’t crave a Tuna Melt sandwich every once in a while?

Classic flavors and gooey melting cheese, with a lower-carb bonus (for those who are counting) makes Tuna Melt Flatbread perfect for a lunch/brunch buffet or party appetizer.

Here, the same sandwich ingredients are served atop a crispy-thin lavash flatbread. Red ripe tomato slices are an essential fresh element while simultaneously great for presentation. Tangy “bread & butter” pickles add crunch and a delightful hint of sweetness. Definitely crave-worthy.

Tuna Melt Flatbread Recipe

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exquisite side: miso yaki onigiri

miso yaki onigiri with asatsuki

miso yaki onigiri flavored with asatsuki
sprinkled with furikake of blended seaweeds & sesame seeds

miso yaki onigiri stuffed with tuna

miso yaki onigiri stuffed with wasabi tuna
sprinkled with furikake of red pepper flake, sesame seed,
shaved bonito, nori, powdered plum

I substituted this popular portable Japanese snack dating back over a thousand years for a rice side-dish at a recent dinner party. The vegan style is flavored with asatsuki, spicy garlicky Japanese chive. The other style is the stuffed with tuna mixed with wasabi mayonnaise. These onigiri, Japanese rice balls, have been crisped on the outside, dressed with caramelized red miso paste, and dusted with flavorful furikake, a dry mixed-flavor condiment. The interior rice remains soft, warm and almost creamy while the exterior has a delightful contrasting savory crust. Two per guest is the perfect portion size, serve either one of each style per person, or two of the mixed-rice asatsuki for vegetarian guests.

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