Enjoy a taste of Hawaii and bring some Asian inspiration to your plate with this delicious and nutritious Homemade Poke Bowl
Travel has always been a high priority for our family, and if it came down to house renovations, a new car, or an awesome trip to some new locale, the trip always won. I have two states to visit before I can claim all 50 on my travel dance card. Hawaii is one of them. Traveling from Kentucky to Hawaii is an undertaking, and we’ll need some planning and saving before we can head to the islands. In the meantime, we travel through our tastebuds, letting the flavors of Hawaii transport us to the beaches.
The Poke Bowl is a perfect aloha to Hawaiian culture. Pronounced poh-kay, the Poke Bowl combines fresh fish and fruit with a delicious sauce. As I’m preparing the ingredients, I like to get in the mood with a Mai Tai or two, and I find that these Shrimp Spring Rolls are the perfect hors d’oeuvres to whet my appetite.
Why You Will Love This Recipe //
Delicious AND good for you? With its lean proteins and nutritious vegetables, the Poke Bowl is a great choice to add to your weekly menu rotation. It’s also easy to make and easy to adapt.
Ingredients //
It’s a long list, but it’s totally worth it. Here’s what you’ll need:
Sesame-Soy Sauce:
- 1 TBSP soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp wasabi paste
Poke Bowl:
- 1 cup sashimi-grade tuna
- 1/2 small cucumber (sliced)
- 1 avocado (cubed)
- 1/2 mango (diced)
- Basil leaves
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Serve with rice
How to Make // The Steps
Step 1: Place the tuna on a cutting board and slice it into small cubes.
Step 2: In a small bowl, combine all the Ingredients for the sesame-soy sauce (soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and wasabi paste).
Step 3: Add the cubed tuna and cover the bowl. Keep chilled in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Step 4: In a large bowl, combine the marinated tuna, cucumber, mango, and avocado. Sprinkle with basil leaves and toasted sesame seeds.
Step 5: Serve with rice if desired. Enjoy!
Tips & Tricks for a Perfect Poke Bowl
- Splurge for sashimi-grade tuna to make your Poke Bowl as high-quality as possible.
- Don’t over-marinate your tuna.
- Store the ingredients in the fridge before assembling, so you can serve a cold, fresh Poke Bowl.
FAQs
Of course! Sushi-grade salmon, cooked shrimp, or even tofu will work well in this bowl.
White wine or apple cider vinegar will work in a pinch, but rice vinegar is definitely the best option.
Wasabi paste is like Japanese horseradish and adds a kick to this dish. You should be able to find it at most grocery stores. If not, you can use Dijon mustard or regular horseradish.
That’s the beauty of this recipe – you can customize it to your heart’s content! Add or subtract different vegetables or fruits. You can also sub out the sesame-soy sauce for a spicy mayo or tangy citrus dressing.
Serving Suggestions //
Enjoy the Poke Bowl on its own or over a bed of steamed rice, preferably sushi rice. You can add a variety of toppings: fresh fruits, veggies, toasted sesame seeds, or whatever sounds good to you!
Make Ahead and How to Store //
You can prep for this dish beforehand—just store the tuna separately from the other ingredients. When you’re ready to serve, combine the marinated tuna with vegetables and fruits. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator and eat within a couple of days. The Poke Bowl can be eaten cold or hot (just reheat slowly in the microwave).
Homemade Poke Bowl
Ingredients
Sesame-Soy Sauce:
- 1 TBSP soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tsp honey
- 1/4 tsp wasabi paste
Poke Bowl:
- 1 cup sashimi-grade tuna
- 1/2 small cucumber sliced
- 1 avocado cubed
- 1/2 mango diced
- Basil leaves
- Toasted sesame seeds
- Serve with rice
Instructions
- Place the tuna on a cutting board and slice it into small cubes.
- In a small bowl combine all the Ingredients for the sesame-soy sauce (soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, honey, and wasabi paste).
- Add the cubed tuna and cover the bowl. Keep chilled in the fridge for 15 minutes.
- In a large bowl combine the marinated tuna, cucumber, mango, and avocado. Sprinkle with the basil leaves and toasted sesame seeds.
- Serve with rice if desired. Enjoy!
