Best Onaga Poke Recipes

GRILLED ONAGA

Steps:

• Score the fish and insert ginger into the cuts. Place the fish in a bowl. Mix the rest of the ingredients together in a bowl and pour the marinade over the fish before grilling. Marinate for about 20 minutes. Wrap the fish in foil and place on the grill. Cook until flesh is just opaque.

UNCLE GLENN'S ONAGA (STEAMED RED SNAPPER WITH SOMEN)

Steps:

• The day before cooking, submerge the garlic in the oil in a small container. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
• When ready to cook, check the fish for any remaining scales and scrape off, paying special attention to the head and tail. Rinse the fish and pat dry.
• Boil the somen according to the package instructions, rinsing and draining well. While the noodles are still damp, arrange them on a serving platter and cover with plastic wrap.
• Loosely toss together the celery, carrot, scallions, onion and cilantro leaves in a small mixing bowl. Set aside at room temperature (if refrigerated, the hot oil added at the end won't sizzle). In another small bowl, mix the chung choi, ginger and cilantro stems, and stuff 1/2 cup of the mixture inside the fish cavity, including the head. Pat the remaining few tablespoons over both sides of the fish's body.
• Set a steamer rack or other metal rack inside a wok or roasting pan large enough to accomodate the fish and set on the stove, straddling two burners if needed. Have ready the wok's lid or sheets of foil large enough to cover the roasting pan tightly. Add enough water to come up to the rack (1 to 1 1/2 inches). Bring the water to a boil over high heat.
• Meanwhile, stack 2 sheets of heavy-duty aluminum foil large enough to hold the fish. Turn up and crimp the foil at the edges to create a boat just large enough to fit the fish. The raised edges will catch the drippings, which will make the sauce. Put the foil boat on the rack over the boiling water, then lay the stuffed fish on the foil. Cover with a lid or tightly with foil and let steam for 15 to 18 minutes (6 minutes per pound). Don't lift the lid to check on the fish, as this will cause the temperature to drop. Adjust the temperature as needed if the lid begins to clatter. Uncover and check to see if the fish is done: The eyes should be white and bulging, the mouth slightly agape and a chopstick inserted into the flesh should slide in easily. Turn off the heat.
• Using two long spatulas, gently transfer the fish to the somen platter, laying it on top of the noodles. Lift the foil boat out of the steamer, careful not to spill any sauce, and pour the sauce into a small bowl. Add the oyster sauce and scallop powder (or fish sauce) and stir. Pour the sauce over the fish, then cover the fish with the vegetable and herb garnish.
• Pour the reserved garlic oil into a small saucepan. Heat over high until the garlic turns golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Turn off the heat and discard the garlic. Slosh the soy sauce over the garnished fish, then carefully pour on the hot garlic oil, letting it sizzle. Serve immediately.

CHEF JOHN'S HAWAIIAN-STYLE AHI POKE

Steps:

• Whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, grated ginger, sliced onions, macadamia nuts, seaweed, pepper flakes, and salt together in a bowl.
• Place cubed tuna into bowl. Pour in marinade and stir to distribute evenly. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours. Mix again.
• Serve topped with toasted sesame seeds, sliced green onions, and a sprinkle of lemon or lime juice, or seasoned rice vinegar.

BASIC POKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the fish, onion, scallions, seaweed and ground kukui nuts and toss gently with a wooden spoon to mix.
• Drizzle with sesame oil and sprinkle with salt. Toss again and serve.

KANAKA POKE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine the tuna, green onion, yellow onion, oyster sauce, soy sauce, Chile Pepper Water, ogo and salt. Mix together and chill before serving.
• Blend the chiles, garlic and vinegar in a blender or food processor. Transfer the mixture to a small saucepan along with the salt and 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Remove from the heat and add the limu kohu. Let cool, then chill.

HAWAIIAN AHI POKE

Steps:

• Add tuna and sesame oil to a large mixing bowl. Gently mix until all the fish is coated in oil. Sprinkle salt evenly across the fish. Add the cucumber, onion, ogo, inamona, chile flakes, garlic and hot sauce and thoroughly mix until ingredients are evenly dispersed. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Divide into portions and serve.