Ingredients
1/2
pound
tuna, sashimi-grade OR striped bass fillet, fresh, about 6x2x1/2 inch piece
2
cup
daikon (chinese white radish), peeled, finely shredded
2
cup
carrot, peeled, finely shredded
6
each
ginger, young, fresh, thin quarter-sized, slices, finely shredded
1/3
cup
ginger, preserved, pickled, finely shredded, sweet
1/4
cup
scallions, pickled, finely shredded
6
each
kaffir lime, fresh leaves, finely shredded
1
lg
jalapeno chile, red, seeded, finely shredded
1/2
each
green onions, bunch, finely shredded
1/2
each
cilantro, bunch, leaves only
1/4
cup
peanuts, chopped
1
toasted sesame seeds, for garnish
1
each
lime or lemon, cut in half, seeded
1
crisp fried shrimp chips or fried rice stick noodles, for garnish
MARINADE:
1/2
tablespoon
vegetable oil
1/2
tablespoon
asian sesame oil
1/4
teaspoon
sugar
1/4
teaspoon
salt
1/8
teaspoon
white pepper
1/8
teaspoon
five-spice powder
1
lemon juice
Directions:
The quality and freshness of the fish is crucial for the success of the dish. Purchase the fish from a Japanese fish shop that specializes in sashimi, or a reliable fishmonger. To facilitate the very fine shredding of the radish and carrot, use a mandolin or the fine shredding disc of a food processor.
Chill fish until firm. Cut into paper-thin, 2-inch-long slices against the grain; set aside.
In separate bowls, cover radishes and carrots with cold water; set aside until ready to assemble salad. Then rinse and squeeze out excess water.
To assemble: Toss fish slices with marinade ingredients. Place fish in center of a platter. Arrange daikon and carrot shreds around fish. Scatter fresh and pickled ginger, the pickled scallions, lime leaves, chiles, green onions and cilantro over fish. Sprinkle with peanuts and sesame seeds.
Just before serving, squeeze the lime or lemon juice over all. It is customary for everyone to join in and toss the salad. Using chopsticks, each diner digs from the bottom of the salad and lifts the ingredients to mix together.
When the salad is fully tossed, taste for seasoning. Adjust with more sesame oil, lime juice, salt and/or some of the juices from the pickled vegetables.
Garnish with shrimp chips or fried rice stick noodles.
Serves 4 to 6.
NOTE: Bottled pickled ginger and pickled scallions may be found in Chinese markets. Kaffir lime leaves may be found in Thai grocery stores. If kaffir leaves are not available, omit or substitute domestic lime leaves.