How to Assemble Perfect Poke Bowls by Sommer
Poke bowls are popping up all over the place. Have you noticed? Over the last few months, I’ve seen them on menus at mall food courts, at fancy restaurants, and everywhere in between.
“What the heck is poke?” you might ask.
It’s a sushi-like raw seafood salad created in the Hawaiian Islands. In fact, poke is so popular in Hawaii, you’ll often find poke counters at local grocery stores, right next to the deli counter.
Poke is made with all sorts of fresh-caught fish and seafood. Yet the most popular kinds are made with ahi tuna or octopus. Some poke variations are even grilled, for those that don’t like the texture of raw fish.
Poke is becoming more and more popular on the mainland because it’s a great source of protein, it’s easy to make, and you can turn it into a complete meal with just a few add-ins. But even if you live in a town that hasn’t jumped on the poke bandwagon yet, you can still make this light and healthy meal at home.
Poke bowls are easy to assemble and adjust to your dietary needs. If you are on a low carb, gluten-free, or even grain-free diet, no worries.
Mix things up on this week’s dinner menu and give poke bowls a try! Here are the basic steps to assembling the perfect poke bowl.
Make the poke
No real recipe is required for this.
First, cut sushi-grade fish into ¼ inch cubes and place in a bowl.
Next, add chopped onions. Poke is traditionally made with Maui onions. If you can’t find them, add some chopped Vidalia onions, shallots, or scallions.
Then add some soy sauce and sesame oil, just enough to coat the fish.
Now add some spice. This usually comes in the form of a dollop of wasabi paste, some Sriracha sauce, or crushed red pepper.
Stir and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Note: There are so many varieties of poke so feel free to play with the ingredients. Sesame seeds and seaweed are common toppings.
Choose a starch
Poke bowls are most often made with cooked sushi rice. However, if you are allergic to rice or are on a low carb or grain-free diet, cauliflower rice is a good choice. You can also find poke bowls served with poi, and Hawaiian porridge, or sometimes served over fried plantains.
Choose your starch and place it in individual serving bowls.
Add the poke.
Place a generous scoop of poke next to the starch.
Add something preserved
Most commonly, poke bowls are served with a side of kimchi. However, you can also add pickled vegetables. The sharp salty flavor of fermented or pickled ingredients adds a bold punch to the poke bowl.
Add something cold and crunchy
Raw vegetables are a benchmark of a good poke bowl. Try adding shredded carrots, mung bean sprouts, cucumber, or sliced radishes.
Add something soft
The final step is to add something soft and creamy to the top of the poke bowl. Avocado is a popular choice. You can also try ripe mango or papaya!
That’s it! Poke bowls are bold, beautiful, and packed with tasty goodness. Give them a try.
If you’ve made poke bowls at home, we’d love to hear about your favorite combination in the comments below!
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