Mas Huni

Mas Huni

The classic Maldivian breakfast: shredded tuna tossed with freshly grated coconut, onion, chilli and lime, served with warm roshi flatbread. Traditional recipes use skipjack or yellowfin that has been lightly smoked and sun-dried, but quality canned tuna is the closest option for home cooks outside the Maldives.

Prep

15 min

Total

15 min

Serves

2 to 4

Difficulty

Easy

Recipe ingredients

• •200 g (7 oz) canned skipjack or yellowfin tuna in oil or water, traditionally Maldive fish (smoked, dried skipjack); canned tuna is the standard home substitute
• •150 g (about 1¾ cups) freshly grated mature coconut, frozen grated coconut, thawed, works well; desiccated coconut is not ideal but can be used if rehydrated
• •60 ml (¼ cup warm water) warm water, only needed if using desiccated coconut to soften it
• •1 small (about 60 g / 2 oz) red onion, finely diced
• •1 to 2 small bird's eye or Thai green chillies, finely sliced; remove seeds for less heat
• •1 whole green chilli, sliced, for garnish (optional)
• •1 whole lime, juiced, plus a wedge to serve
• •0.5 tsp (½ tsp) fine sea salt, adjust to taste
• •4 pieces roshi flatbread, to serve; warm in a dry pan or over a flame

Steps

1. 1 Drain the canned tuna well, then flake it thoroughly with a fork or your fingers into small, fine shreds. If using Maldive fish, soak it briefly in warm water for 10 minutes to soften, drain, and shred finely.
2. 2 If using frozen or fresh grated coconut, squeeze out any excess liquid. If using desiccated coconut, soak it in 60 ml / ¼ cup warm water for 10 minutes, then drain and squeeze lightly.
3. 3 Combine the shredded tuna, grated coconut, finely diced red onion and sliced chillies in a mixing bowl.
4. 4 Add the juice of the lime and the salt, then toss everything together until evenly mixed. Taste and adjust salt and lime as needed.
5. 5 Serve immediately, piled onto warm roshi flatbread and garnished with sliced green chilli and a wedge of lime. Mas huni is best eaten fresh; leftovers keep covered in the fridge for up to 1 day, though the coconut will weep slightly.