Moroccan-Spiced Tuna Skewers with Chermoula Sauce
Savor the vibrant flavors of North Africa with these Moroccan-Spiced Tuna Skewers. Tender chunks of fresh tuna are marinated in a delightful blend of spices, then grilled to perfection for a sumptuous flavor. Served with a zesty chermoula sauce that combines fresh herbs, spices, and vibrant lemon juice, this dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. Perfect over a fluffy bed of couscous, it's a quick and elegant meal, ideal for summer grilling or a cozy dinner any time of year.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
tuna steaks
1 1/2 lbs (cut into 1 1/4 inch cubes)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (for marinating)
ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon (for marinating)
lemon zest
2 teaspoons (finely grated)
ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon (for chermoula)
ground cumin
3 teaspoons (for toasting)
paprika
2 teaspoons (for chermoula)
cayenne pepper
1 pinch (for chermoula)
garlic cloves
4 (crushed and minced)
flat leaf parsley
1/2 cup (minced)
cilantro
1/2 cup (minced)
lemon juice
1/3 cup (freshly squeezed)
olive oil
1/2 cup (for chermoula)
Instructions
1
If you're using wooden skewers, soak them in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent burning while grilling.
2
In a shallow non-metallic dish, add the tuna cubes. In a separate small bowl, mix together 2 tablespoons of olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, and the finely grated lemon zest. Pour this mixture over the tuna and gently toss to coat. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
3
To prepare the chermoula sauce, heat a small frying pan over medium heat. Add the ground coriander, 3 teaspoons of ground cumin, paprika, and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Toast the spices for about 30 seconds, being careful not to let them burn, until they become fragrant. Remove from heat and combine with minced garlic, flat-leaf parsley, cilantro, lemon juice, and the remaining 1/2 cup of olive oil. Mix well and set aside.
4
After marinating, thread the tuna cubes onto the soaked skewers, ensuring they’re evenly spaced. Preheat your indoor grill or outdoor barbecue and lightly oil the surface. Grill the skewers for approximately 1 minute on each side for rare or extend cooking time to 2 minutes per side for a medium finish.
5
Serve the grilled tuna skewers on a generous bed of fluffy couscous and drizzle with the vibrant chermoula sauce for a burst of flavor.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Moroccan-Spiced Tuna Skewers?
They are tender chunks of fresh tuna marinated in North African spices, grilled, and served with a zesty chermoula sauce.
What is Chermoula sauce?
Chermoula is a vibrant North African sauce made from fresh herbs like parsley and cilantro, toasted spices, lemon juice, and olive oil.
How long should I soak wooden skewers?
You should soak wooden skewers in water for at least 30 minutes to prevent them from burning on the grill.
What ingredients are in the tuna marinade?
The marinade consists of olive oil, ground cumin, and finely grated lemon zest.
How long does the tuna need to marinate?
The tuna should marinate in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.
How should the tuna steaks be prepared?
The tuna steaks should be cut into 1 1/4 inch cubes.
Which spices are toasted for the chermoula sauce?
Ground coriander, ground cumin, paprika, and cayenne pepper are toasted to make them fragrant.
How long do you toast the spices?
Toast the spices for about 30 seconds over medium heat, being careful not to let them burn.
What herbs are required for the chermoula?
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of minced flat-leaf parsley and 1/2 cup of minced cilantro.
How much garlic is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 garlic cloves, which should be crushed and minced.
How much lemon juice is needed for the sauce?
You will need 1/3 cup of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
How much olive oil is used in the chermoula sauce?
The sauce requires 1/2 cup of olive oil.
How long do you grill the tuna for a rare finish?
Grill the skewers for approximately 1 minute on each side.
How long do you grill the tuna for a medium finish?
Grill for approximately 2 minutes per side for a medium finish.
What is the recommended serving suggestion?
Serve the grilled tuna skewers on a generous bed of fluffy couscous and drizzle with the chermoula sauce.
Can I cook these on an indoor grill?
Yes, you can use either an indoor grill or an outdoor barbecue for this recipe.
Is this recipe spicy?
It has a mild warmth from the paprika and a pinch of cayenne pepper.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 13 total ingredients in this recipe.
What type of tuna is used?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 lbs of tuna steaks.
Does the recipe use lemon zest?
Yes, it uses 2 teaspoons of finely grated lemon zest in the marinade.
What kind of oil should be used?
Olive oil is used for both the marinade and the chermoula sauce.
Should the marinade be kept at room temperature?
No, the tuna should marinate inside the refrigerator.
How do you thread the tuna onto skewers?
Thread the marinated cubes onto the soaked skewers, ensuring they are evenly spaced.
Is the chermoula sauce served hot?
The spices are toasted, but the sauce is mixed with fresh herbs and juice and drizzled over the grilled tuna.
Can I use ground coriander in the marinade?
In this recipe, ground coriander is specifically used for the chermoula sauce, not the marinade.
What is the flavor profile of this dish?
The flavor profile is zesty, herbal, and aromatic with North African spices.
What kind of parsley is recommended?
Flat-leaf parsley is recommended for its flavor.
Is this dish suitable for summer?
Yes, it is described as an ideal meal for summer grilling.
Is the garlic cooked in the pan?
No, the garlic is added to the sauce mixture after the spices have been toasted and removed from heat.
How do I prepare the grill?
Preheat the grill or barbecue and lightly oil the surface before adding the skewers.