Description
Sweet Chermoula Tuna Tartare is an elegant appetizer that combines fresh, sushi-grade tuna with a vibrant chermoula marinade of aromatic North African spices and subtle sweetness. This refreshing, light, and visually stunning dish offers a perfectly balanced flavor profile, ideal for entertaining guests or enjoying a special treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients
- 200g fresh sushi-grade tuna, diced into small, even cubes
- 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (or substitute with orange juice for a sweeter acidity)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
- 1 small shallot, finely chopped
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Optional Variations
- Finely diced chili peppers or pinch of cayenne for a spicy kick
- Diced watermelon or avocado as a vegetarian alternative
- Toasted pine nuts or chopped pistachios for added crunch
- Fresh mint or basil as herb alternatives
Instructions
- Prepare the Tuna: Begin by ensuring your sushi-grade tuna is cold and firm; then dice it into small, even cubes for the perfect tartare texture.
- Make the Chermoula Marinade: In a bowl, whisk together minced garlic, ground cumin, smoked paprika, lemon juice, olive oil, honey, salt, and pepper until well combined.
- Combine Tuna and Marinade: Gently fold the diced tuna with the chermoula marinade, ensuring each piece is evenly coated without breaking down the fish.
- Add Fresh Herbs and Shallots: Mix in finely chopped cilantro, parsley, and shallots to introduce a vibrant freshness and subtle crunch to the tartare.
- Chill and Serve: Cover and refrigerate the tartare for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before plating elegantly.
Notes
- Use the freshest tuna: Purchase sushi-grade tuna from a trusted source for safety and optimal flavor.
- Dice evenly: Uniform cubes ensure consistent marination and texture.
- Marinate briefly: Keep marinating time to 15-20 minutes to prevent the tuna from “cooking” and altering texture.
- Chill before serving: Helps the flavors meld and presents the dish refreshingly cold.
- Balanced seasoning: Adjust salt, acidity, and sweetness carefully to suit your taste.
- Do not freeze: Freezing raw tuna tartare affects texture and flavor adversely.
- Best served cold: Avoid reheating to maintain freshness and optimal taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: North African-inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 180 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg