Samoan Coconut Fish
Oka
A refreshing and vibrant dish of raw white fish 'cooked' in citrus juice and then marinated in creamy coconut milk with fresh vegetables.
🧂 Ingredients
- 500 g Fresh white fish fillets(such as snapper, mahi-mahi, or tuna, skinless and boneless)
- 200 ml Lime juice(freshly squeezed (about 8-10 limes))
- 200 ml Coconut cream(thick, unsweetened)
- 1 medium Red onion(finely diced)
- 1 medium Cucumber(peeled, seeded, and finely diced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(seeded and finely diced)
- 2 stalks Spring onions(white and green parts, finely sliced)
- 1 tsp Salt(or to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground, or to taste)
- 1 small Chili(optional, finely chopped, seeded)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Dice the fish into bite-sized pieces (about 1-inch cubes).
- 2
Place the fish in a non-metallic bowl and pour the fresh lime juice over it, ensuring it's mostly submerged.
- 3
Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or until the fish turns opaque and firm.
💡 Tip: Stir occasionally to ensure even 'cooking'. The longer it marinates, the firmer the fish will become. - 4
While the fish marinates, prepare the vegetables: finely dice the red onion, cucumber, tomatoes, and spring onions. Finely chop the chili if using.
- 5
Once the fish is 'cooked', drain off most of the lime juice, leaving just a little for tang.
- 6
Add the diced vegetables, coconut cream, salt, pepper, and optional chili to the bowl with the fish.
- 7
Gently fold all the ingredients together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary.
💡 Tip: Avoid over-mixing, which can break down the fish. - 8
Cover and refrigerate for another 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld before serving.
- 9
Serve chilled, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. It's traditionally served with taro chips or crackers.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use the absolute freshest fish possible for raw preparations.
- ✓Adjust the amount of lime juice based on how 'cooked' you prefer your fish.
- ✓If you can't find fresh limes, lemons can be used, but limes offer a more traditional flavor.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add diced bell peppers for extra color and crunch.
- Include a small amount of finely chopped cilantro for freshness.
- For a spicier kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes.