Tunisian Kabkabou
Tunisian Kabkabou
2
15 minutes
30 minutes
Kabkabou is Tunisian dish of tuna cooked in a lemony tomato sauce with capers and olives. Fresh and spicy, it epitomizes the cooking style and ingredients typical of the Mediterranean coastal regions of Tunisia, which are known for their delicious takes on seafood. The acidic flavors of lemon and the briny taste of the olives and capers contrast perfectly with the sweetness of the harissa-spiced tomato sauce giving the fish a uniquely exquisite taste. This recipe is very easy to whip up so it's perfect for any occasion from a fancy dinner to a weeknight meal… Feel free to swap the tuna with any other kind of fish such as sea bass or even mackerel.
Ingredients
Tuna steaks (2), ½ lb each
White onion (thinly sliced), ¾ lb
Cherry tomatoes (halved), ¾ lb
Harissa paste, 2 tbsp
Olive oil, 2 tbsp
Black olives, 2 tbsp
Capers, 2 tbsp
Tomato paste, 1 tbsp
Paprika, 1 tsp
Lemon juice, from ½ lemon
Kosher salt, to taste
Black Pepper (ground), ¼ tsp
Directions
1. Coat the tuna steaks with salt, black pepper, and a little bit of olive oil on all sides. In a pre-heated pan on medium heat, add the olive oil and sear the tuna steaks. Sear for about 1-2 min(s) on each side then set aside.
2. In the same pan, add the thinly sliced onions and sauté for about 15 min until soft and slightly caramelized.
3. Add the cherry tomatoes, tomato paste, harissa paste, paprika, salt, black pepper, and 1 cup of water. Stir until well mixed and a sauce is obtained. Reduce the heat to low and gently simmer until the sauce has thickened a little, about 10 minutes.
4. Stir in the lemon juice, capers, and olives for a minute before adding the tuna steaks. Spoon the sauce over the steaks for about a minute. Cover the pan and wait until the steaks are cooked through, about 5 minutes, still on low heat.
5. Plate the fish and cover with the sauce. Garnish with extra black pepper and enjoy!
