French-Style Tuna Tartare
Traditional tartare (pronounced tahr-tahr) is French dish of finely-chopped raw beef, but has since been extended to include all and any diced fish. Most common is tuna tartare, in which the vibrant red fish is diced into small pieces and then dressed. Tuna tartare acts as a blank canvas for a chef's culinary creativity. Add a little soy and ginger and that umami-rich, Asian-infused flavor emerges. Add mango or pineapple, and you are reminded of a summery trip to the tropics. At its most basic, it is a light, refreshing topping for crostini, and the perfect appetizer for summer meals! This recipe is a light version and can be used in multiple ways; pair it with crackers for a poolside snack, plate individually and top with avocado for an elegant Shabbat appetizer, or serve over a bowl of rice for an outdoor summer dinner - the options are endless!
Ingredients
1 pound sashimi-grade tuna
¼ cup olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
2 tablespoons chopped tarragon
1 small shallot, minced
1 medium jalapeno, diced
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons mirin (rice wine)
Juice & zest of 1 lime
Preparation
Using a very sharp knife, trim away any sinew or skin from the tuna fillet. Cut tuna into ¼” cubes.
In a separate bowl, mix olive oil, fresh chopped herbs, shallot, jalapeno, mustard, mirin, and lime juice & zest. Add diced tuna and stir gently to combine.
Divide into individual bowls. Serve with sliced avocado and crostini or crackers.
Tip:
When choosing your tuna, you might notice that some pieces have long white streaks running through them. Those connective tissues are very chewy and hard to eat. Choose center cut tuna steaks with as little connective tissue as possible, and use a paring knife to remove as much of it as you can before slicing your tuna or chopping into bite-size pieces.
Frozen tuna steaks can be a convenient option for some, but if you’re eating it raw, freezing can compromise the texture and appearance of the tuna. It’s always better to use fresh if possible!