Thai-Inspired Kokoda
Chef Louis Tikaram often serves this version of kokoda, a mild Fijian-style ceviche, to suit the rest of his Southeast Asian–influenced menu at E.P. & L.P. in Los Angeles. “The original kokoda is so subtle. This spin helps it stand up against those crazy flavors,” he says.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Prep the fish: Pull or cut out any bones* and, if you like, trim away bloodlines (the darker red, strongertasting portions). “The Japanese leave the bloodline in. They like the meaty flavor against the more subtle, mild flavor of the rest of the fish,” says Tikaram. With a very sharp knife, slice the fish crosswise about 1/4 in. thick, then into 1/4in. cubes. “I like to cut everything small. That way you get more of a flavor explosion of all the ingredients in every bite.” Chill fish until ready to serve.
Step 2
2
Cut tomatoes lengthwise into thin wedges. Stem chile, then cut in half. Remove seeds and whitish ribs. Finely dice chile, enough to yield 1 tbsp. Finely dice enough shallot to yield 1 tbsp. as well.
Step 3
3
In a bowl, mix fish with lime juice. “In Peruvian and Mexican ceviche, the fish is well cured in lime. Here, the lime is more of a seasoning, and the fish stays fresh and fragrant.” Then stir in fish sauce, white vinegar, sugar, lemongrass, pinch of lime leaf, red chile oil, tomatoes, diced chile, shallot, and coconut milk. Season with more fish sauce or lime juice if you like.
Step 4
4
Divide between 2 small bowls and top with sliced lemongrass and a few lime-leaf slivers. Serve immediately, with rice crackers, cassava chips, or rootvegetable chips.
5
*For swordfish that’s sustainable, look for fish caught with harpoons, handlines, or line-and- pole rigs; see seafoodwatch.org (search by fish name) for more info on sustainable-catch methods. For canned coconut milk, choose one without preservatives, like Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk, and dilute with 2 to 3 tbsp. water; to make fresh coconut milk, see “How to Crack and Milk a Coconut.” Find Asian-style rice crackers and cassava chips (such as Maxi), which need to be fried before eating, at Asian markets. For boning fish, the best tool is a pair of fish tweezers (Kotobuki Japanese Fish Bone Tweezers, $5.50; amazon.com).
Ingredients
4 ounces skinned fillet of kanpachi, chilled
3 cherry tomatoes or 4 grape tomatoes
1 moderately hot red chile, such as Fresno or red jalapeño
1 small shallot
About 1 tbsp. lime juice
2 tablespoons Thai or Vietnamese fish sauce
2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon minced lemongrass (inner part of stalk only), plus a few thin slices for topping
Pinch of finely slivered lime leaf (about 1 leaf )*, plus a pinch for topping
1 tablespoon fieryhot Asian-style red chile oil
About 1/2 cup coconut milk*
Asian-style rice crackers or cassava chips*, or mixed root-vegetable chips such as Terra Chips, for serving (optional)
Directions
Step 1
1
Prep the fish: Pull or cut out any bones* and, if you like, trim away bloodlines (the darker red, strongertasting portions). “The Japanese leave the bloodline in. They like the meaty flavor against the more subtle, mild flavor of the rest of the fish,” says Tikaram. With a very sharp knife, slice the fish crosswise about 1/4 in. thick, then into 1/4in. cubes. “I like to cut everything small. That way you get more of a flavor explosion of all the ingredients in every bite.” Chill fish until ready to serve.
Step 2
2
Cut tomatoes lengthwise into thin wedges. Stem chile, then cut in half. Remove seeds and whitish ribs. Finely dice chile, enough to yield 1 tbsp. Finely dice enough shallot to yield 1 tbsp. as well.
Step 3
3
In a bowl, mix fish with lime juice. “In Peruvian and Mexican ceviche, the fish is well cured in lime. Here, the lime is more of a seasoning, and the fish stays fresh and fragrant.” Then stir in fish sauce, white vinegar, sugar, lemongrass, pinch of lime leaf, red chile oil, tomatoes, diced chile, shallot, and coconut milk. Season with more fish sauce or lime juice if you like.
Step 4
4
Divide between 2 small bowls and top with sliced lemongrass and a few lime-leaf slivers. Serve immediately, with rice crackers, cassava chips, or rootvegetable chips.
5
*For swordfish that’s sustainable, look for fish caught with harpoons, handlines, or line-and- pole rigs; see seafoodwatch.org (search by fish name) for more info on sustainable-catch methods. For canned coconut milk, choose one without preservatives, like Native Forest Organic Coconut Milk, and dilute with 2 to 3 tbsp. water; to make fresh coconut milk, see “How to Crack and Milk a Coconut.” Find Asian-style rice crackers and cassava chips (such as Maxi), which need to be fried before eating, at Asian markets. For boning fish, the best tool is a pair of fish tweezers (Kotobuki Japanese Fish Bone Tweezers, $5.50; amazon.com).
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