Bring the taste of the islands to your kitchen with Isaiah Tavares’ Baked Mū. This recipe features the Big Eye Emperor, a prized local catch. We bake it with savory Portuguese sausage and sweet lup cheong for a perfect flavor balance. The ti leaves lock in moisture and create a tender, delicious result every time. It is a simple yet impressive way to serve fresh fish at your next family dinner.
ooking for more ways to prepare your catch? Check out this Baked Salmon with Seaweed recipe
for another delicious, oven-baked island favorite. You can also dive into the science behind the fish by learning about the Big Eye Emperor (Monotaxis grandoculis).
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Isaiah Tavares’ Baked Mū (Big Eye Emperor)
Isaiah Tavares is carrying on one of Hawaiʻi's great musical legacies while creating one all his own. He is a singer-songwriter, father, husband and son of Waltah Tavares of the legendary Hoʻāikāne. Many know him for his breakout hit "Da Hawaiian Hammah," a song that has become a local favorite and even features verses from some of Hawaiʻi's most recognizable artists. His dishes are a reflection of his love for the ocean and his skill as a diver.
Ingredients
- 1 whole Mū scaled & gutted
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- ½ cup mayonnaise
- 3 tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 cup Portuguese sausage diced
- ½ cup lup cheong sliced
- 1 medium onion diced
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 thumb fresh ginger sliced
- ¼ cup peanut oil
- ¼ cup green onions chopped
- ¼ cup cilantro chopped
- Ti leaves
- Heavy-duty foil
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Score the fish and season inside and out with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp black pepper.
- Mix ½ cup mayonnaise with 3 tbsp oyster sauce.
- Sauté the Portuguese sausage, lup cheong, onion, garlic, and ginger for 5 minutes.
- Rub the fish inside and out with the mayo mixture, then stuff with the sausage mixture.
- Wrap the fish in ti leaves, then wrap again with heavy-duty foil.
- Bake for 45 minutes, or until the fish flakes easily.
- Carefully open the foil and ti leaves.
- Heat ¼ cup peanut oil until very hot, then pour it evenly over the fish.
- Top with ¼ cup chopped green onions and ¼ cup chopped cilantro.
Nutrition
Calories: 661kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 57gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 16gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 146mgSodium: 1933mgPotassium: 1133mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 539IUVitamin B1: 0.1mgVitamin B5: 2mgVitamin C: 13mgCalcium: 108mgIron: 2mg
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