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Magurozuke: Marinated Tuna

Magurozuke: Marinated Tuna

Learn about Nobuko's unique approach to making magurozuke, a marinated tuna dish, by combining garlic, ginger, negi (scallions), shiso leaves, ground sesame, and soy sauce with sushi-grade raw yellow fin tuna. This delicious dish is perfect over rice and can also be enhanced with a touch of rice vinegar.

I want to share a dish from a fabulous home-cooked Japanese dinner I enjoyed this past week.

Yellow Fin Tuna Marinated with Garlic, Ginger, and Shiso

Ingredients:

  • Garlic, finely chopped
  • Ginger, finely chopped
  • Negi (or scallions), finely chopped
  • Shiso leaves, thinly sliced
  • Ground sesame
  • Soy sauce
  • Sushi-grade yellow fin tuna, sliced 1/4-inch thick
  • Rice vinegar (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Seasoning Mixture: In a bowl, combine the chopped garlic, ginger, negi (or scallions), sliced shiso leaves, and ground sesame.

  2. Add Soy Sauce: Pour soy sauce into the seasoning mixture. If desired, add a touch of rice vinegar to the mix.

  3. Mix with Tuna: Add the slices of raw, sushi-grade yellow fin tuna to the bowl. Gently mix everything together, ensuring the tuna is well-coated with the seasoning mixture.

  4. Let It Marinate: Allow the mixture to sit for 10 minutes. This resting period lets the flavors meld together and slightly cures the tuna, enhancing its taste and texture.

  5. Serve: After the marinating time, serve the tuna mixture, enjoying the harmony of flavors from the garlic, ginger, shiso, and soy sauce with the freshness of the tuna.

Techniques and Their Purposes:

Finely Chopping Ingredients:

Finely chopping the garlic, ginger, and negi (or scallions) ensures that their flavors are distributed evenly throughout the dish without overpowering the delicate taste of the tuna.

Adding Rice Vinegar (Optional):

A touch of rice vinegar can brighten the flavors of the dish, adding a subtle acidity that complements the richness of the tuna and the savory notes of the soy sauce.

Marinating Time:

Letting the tuna sit for 10 minutes after mixing it with the seasoning allows the flavors to meld. The soy sauce and optional rice vinegar slightly cure the tuna, enhancing its texture and taste, making it more flavorful and enjoyable.