Recipes

Tuna Crudo

Rocco DiSpirito deftly demoed the tuna crudo with lemon, Italian chiles, and capers that he served at our Taste America dinner in Miami, dispensing useful cooking and nutrition tips at the same time. A self-described “former butter-holic,” DiSpirito says he’s now “healthier than he’s ever been,” insisting that “if you change your diet and lifestyle, you can reverse any sickness.”

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt
  • One 8-ounce loin sushi-grade yellowfin tuna, cut into 1/4-inch domino-size slices (about 24 slices)
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon brine from capers or caper berries
  • 1 tablespoon chopped jarred hot Italian chiles, such as Victoria
  • Freshly ground black pepper

Method

Brush the center of 4 round appetizer plates with olive oil, then very lightly sprinkle with salt. Lay the tuna slices over the seasoned olive oil. 

Combine the lemon juice, lemon zest, caper brine, and chiles in a small bowl. Spoon the mixture evenly over each slice of tuna. Drizzle the top of each plate with the remaining olive oil. Season the tuna with salt and pepper. Let stand for 2 to 4 minutes, depending on your desired texture, then serve immediately.

Yield

4 servings