One of the most delicious dishes that we’ve discovered over the past years, is this bonito mezze handed to Daphnis and Chloe by Manos Zournazis.
More of an appetizer rather than a main, it will taste better when enjoyed in good company, along with some pickles and a mineral white wine. Bonito is in season across the Mediterranean from May to July.
Divide the fish into 4 filets. If you don't feel confident about filleting and you want to save time (or the bonito), leave this part to your fishmonger. Get a non-stick skillet hot over high heat, pour 1 tbsp Extra Virgin olive oil and begin to sear the fillets one by one, 30 secs per side. Place a fillet on a kitchen board. Cover all sides with a roughly ground fennel seed/pepper rub and wrap tightly in cling film. Repeat with the remaining pieces. Place the wrapped fillets in the fridge.
This recipe uses only the skin of the zucchini: peel carefully, julienne the peels and marinate them in a small bowl with lemon juice, Extra Virgin olive oil and salt. Put aside. With a fork, make 2-3 holes in an eggplant. Cook it directly on the fire, 5 mins from each side, 15 mins total, until the skin has turned totally black. Repeat with remaining eggplants. While still warm, use a knife to take off the burnt skin. Put the entire, smoked and peeled eggplants aside.
Unwrap the fillets and slice in ½ cm pieces with a sharp knife. Serve the fish slices, the entire eggplants and the drained zucchini on a serving plate or wooden board. Dress the eggplants with their olive oil/vinegar/honey/chili seasoning. Use the liquids from the zucchini marinade to season the fish. If you want to add salt, do it at the end.
1 bonito or tuna about 1.5 kg
4 medium-sized eggplants
2 medium-sized, very fresh zucchini
2 tsps Fennel Seeds roughly ground
2 tsps black pepper, roughly ground
Sea salt
1 tsp Smoked Chili Flakes
25 ml white vinegar
75 ml Extra Virgin olive oil
1tsp Thyme Honey
25 ml lemon juice
75 ml Extra Virgin olive oil
Sea salt
Daphnis and Chloe is a herb and spice company dedicated to cooks who are looking for Mediterranean ingredients of the finest quality
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