I discovered this dish while on vacation in Hawaii and I could not wait to get home and recreate it. Not only is it delicious and loaded with goodies but it features two of my favorite nutritional superstars: beets and sea vegetables.
Poke is a traditional Hawaiian dish usually made with raw tuna, usually ahi, which contains some of the highest mercury content of any fish consumed (www.nrdc.org/mercury). Bigeye and ahi tuna populations are also perilously low in numbers and often caught using environmentally destructive practices. Switching out the tuna for beets here is a huge upgrade for both your health and the planet.
One of our favorite things about this delicious recipe is that you can serve your Beet Poke as a simple appetizer with a side of rice crackers or you can easily be featured it as a main course in a beautiful Poke Bowl (directions below).
Sea Vegetables are an ingredient often overlooked or left out of a Standard American Diet. Not only are they rich in both macro and micronutrients, they are also a great source of mucilaginous fiber that can help remove toxins and heavy metals. They are probably most appreciated, however, for their iodine content, which can support thyroid function and help boost metabolism. Not only that, sea vegetables such as nori, dulse, kelp, wakame, etc., also contain the highest digestible source of all minerals (including iron and calcium), as well as energy-boosting B-vitamins and immune-boosting vitamin C. Finding ways to incorporate sea vegetables into your diet can make a big difference in how you feel!
Beets are not only delicious but are also considered nutritional superstars. As a runner, I appreciate the benefits of beets to heart health, as they are rich in folate, as well as nitrates, which have been shown to increase oxygen use and improve cardiovascular performance, as well as brain function. Beets have been shown to reduce inflammation and joint pain, and thanks to a great dose of fiber, help support digestive health. If that isn't enough, beets are also believed to contain anti-cancer properties. Extremely versatile too, beets can be used in everything from savory salads, burgers, and soups to simple smoothies and sweet desserts. What's not to LOVE???
This is a simple dish that comes together quickly and with only a handful of ingredients.
All you need to make basic beet poke is:
beets
coconut aminos
sesame oil
rice vinegar
fresh ginger
green onions
lime
orange
kelp granules
red pepper flakes, optional for heat
To make a Beet Poke Bowl, add any or all of the following:
avocado
green onions
roasted peanuts
sesame seeds, white and/or black
nori sheet
daikon radish
cilantro
sunflower sprouts (or sub sprouts of choice)
roasted peanuts (or sub sunflower seeds)
rice ramen, rice noodles, forbidden rice, brown rice, spiralized vegetables for serving
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