by SoPo Seafood's Jacqueline Clark AKA The Briny Babe
Bright, citrusy, and fresh tuna is the perfect compliment to a warm summer day. Summertime in Maine brings about the Bluefin tuna season. Bluefin tuna is one of the most prestigious fish on the market due to its luxurious flavor profile—this makes it perfect for a sashimi or crudo preparation.
The key to a delicious Bluefin crudo dish is purchasing the Bluefin from a reputable fish monger to ensure the highest quality. When you’re examining fillets of Bluefin, make sure they are a dazzling ruby red in appearance. Once you get the fish home, wipe the tuna down with paper towels to remove moisture. Wrap the tuna in plastic wrap, and store in the coldest part of your fridge until you are ready to use it. Just before slicing the tuna for crudo, we place it in the freezer for 5 minutes, as this will make it much easier to slice. Use a sharp knife to thinly slice the fish. Carefully slice away from you, removing any tough, sinewy bits. Don’t worry, your cuts don’t need to be perfect!
Because this Bluefin is so fresh, you don’t need to layer on any added flavors, as this will mask its flavor profile. We recommend some good-quality olive oil, lemon zest, and sea salt. A few dollops of buttery and briny Hackleback caviar will be the perfect pop of luxury to this refreshing summertime appetizer.
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Serves: 6-12 guests
Bluefin Tuna Crudo with Caviar Recipe Video
Ingredients:
• ½ lb Bluefin Tuna (Substitute Ahi Tuna)
• 2 TBSP lemon zest
• ¼ cup olive oil
• 1 tsp sea salt
• Chive flowers, or any other microgreens, herbs, or edible flowers
• 1 oz Hackleback Caviar
Steps
1. Slice the tuna thinly, about 1/8th to ¼ inch thick.
2. On the base of a serving platter, add the olive oil and lemon zest.
3. Add the tuna crudo on top, and drizzle with more olive oil. Add another pinch of lemon zest, and a generous pinch of flaky salt.
4. Decorate with chive flowers, and edible herbs.
5. Top each piece of Bluefin tuna with a dollop of Hackleback caviar.
6. Serve immediately!
** An important note: avoid squeezing lemon juice directly on top of fish, as the acid can discolor the fish.
Buy Fresh Caught Maine Bluefin Tuna
This recipe was created using SoPo Seafood's fresh locally caught Bluefin Tuna. Our Bluefin can be ordered online for overnight delivery or picked up in our South Portland Maine Fish Market.
