Tuna Carpaccio with Basil Oil, Lemon and Caper Berries
Tuna is the world’s most popularly eaten fish but unfortunately much of this huge consumption is aided by millions of can openers and a lot of cheap mayonnaise. Such a shame really as this beautiful fish deserves to be eaten in the same state it comes off the fishmongers knife: raw, or as near to as possible.
The more you meddle with it the more beauty it loses. That is why it lends itself to carpaccio so well; cut it raw, a little sprinkle of this, a little drizzle of that and serve it. It’s simply delicious!
Tuna Carpaccio with Basil Oil, Lemon and Caper Berries
Ingredients
- 600 grams whole tuna fillet
- caper berries
- 2-3 lemons
- homemade pesto
- 50 grams arugula leaves
- olive oil extra virgin
- sea salt flakes
- black pepper freshly ground
Instructions
- Note: You will need a very sharp thin blade knife for this recipe.
- Trim the tuna loin of any tendon and bloodline and pull the loin as smooth and straight as possible. Place the loin in the freezer, for approx half an hour.
- Sharpen your knife.
- Put a few tablespoons of pesto into a mixing bowl and add enough olive oil to give it a runny consistency yet very green.
- Cut the caper berries in half from the stem down.
- Arrange the serving plates on your workbench, near your chopping board.
- Remove the loin from the freezer and with your very sharp knife start slicing across the grain and place the very thin slices on the plates in 1 layer.
- Toss the roquette with a little lemon juice, olive oil and salt and pepper and set aside.
- Place a few caper berries randomly on each plate, drizzle a pattern of pesto oil onto the fish.
- Squeeze a little lemon juice over the fish and season with pepper and a small pinch of salt.
- Place a small handful of lettuce on the centre of each plate and voila, youíre done, so go sit down with your guests and enjoy with a nice medium bodied white. Verdehlo and pinot grigio pair nicely with this dish.
- Note: For those of you that are not too keen on the raw aspect keep in mind that the acids in the lemon and caper actually cook the meat slightly before it is eaten.
Notes
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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