If you’re in the mood to take advantage of great-tasting, local fresh fish as well as create a nice, cool summer dish to beat the heat, then ceviche is the dish for you! Ceviche (pronounced seh-veech-ay) consists of fresh minced vegetables, fresh cilantro and uncooked fresh fish that you marinate in lime juice. The acids from the citrus effectively “cook” the fish, and make the entire dish light, zesty and very easy to prepare. Ceviche goes perfect with iced tea or white wine and makes a great appetizer or meal. This dish is popular throughout the coastal regions of the US, Central and South America and the Caribbean.
Ingredients
- 2 pounds flounder, grouper, snapper or tuna fillets, finely diced* see Cook’s Note (Tilapia can also be used)
- 1 cup lime juice (about 8 large limes)
- 1/2 cup seeded chopped tomato
- 1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
- 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 tablespoon bottled hot sauce (recommended: Sriracha), optional
- 1 serrano chile or fresh jalapeno pepper, optional
- Grilled Tostadas, recipe follows, or 6 purchased tostadas
- Mayonnaise mixed with a dollop of hot sauce, for spreading
- 1 avocado, halved, pitted, peeled, and thinly sliced
- 1 lime, cut into wedges
Directions
Put the fish in a medium bowl. Pour the lime juice over the fish and mix gently to combine. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until the fish is white throughout, about 15 to 20 minutes.
Remove from the refrigerator and drain off the lime juice, gently squeezing the fish with your hands. Discard the lime juice. Add the tomato, cucumber, onion, and cilantro. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Add the hot sauce and chile, if using.
Spread the tostadas generously with mayonnaise and top with the ceviche. Arrange the avocado slices on top of the ceviche and serve immediately with the lime wedges alongside.
Notes
The fish is easiest to dice when it is partially frozen; this also makes for a much cleaner presentation. Use a very sharp knife.
Grilled Tostadas:
- 6 corn tortillas
Heat a grill or grill pan over medium heat.
Put the tortillas on the grill or grill pan, and let them dry out until they are crunchy. Purchased tostadas can be substituted.
