Funnus Thunnus

Talofa lava. The mighty Yellowfin Tuna (Thunnus Albacres). A pelagic predator of great esteem, beauty and flavour.

Being lucky enough to be in Samoa for the beginning of the season the first Thunnus was landed over the weekend. Regaled by all for their strength and tenacity having one of these subterranean torpedoes pulling string is about as much fun as you can have with your clothes on!

A family favourite dish here is Poke (Poh-keh). A simple delicious Pacifika dish that has many iterations.

Ingredients:

For this simple recipe you start with a blinding hot 32 degree day. Ease into the environment with a sublime local beer brew called Taula….or 3.

Dice your tuna loin into 1 cm squares and set aside in chiller. For this I used 500gm of shoulder loin

The Sauce can be varied to suit your own individual taste requirement here we ran with:

• 2 Tablespoon oyster sauce
• 6 Tablespoons light Soy Sauce
• 1 Tablespoon Sesame Oil (toasted if you have it)
• 2 Tablespoons fresh fine diced onion
• 1 Teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
• 1 medium hot Chilli finely diced

Method:

Mix this altogether.

Fold the Tuna into the sauce mix, then back into chiller to set for half hour minimum before you eat. Plate up with green stuff and a few sesame seeds if you have them. Partner with the remaining Taula you have to avoid dehydration!

Chef Note: Do not trust your local mate when he tells you his home grown chillies are medium heat, because bugger me they were hotter than a bucket full of really hot things!

Manuia le Taumafataga