Recipe: Authentic Peruvian Ceviche

Authentic Peruvian Ceviche

After I come back from traveling, I like to continue the vacation by making ethnic dishes from the places I’ve traveled. After getting back from Colombia, I wanted to try to replicate the dish that I tried in Cartagena (which is where the pictures were taken). Now technically, ceviche is a Peruvian dish; however the neighboring South American countries like Colombia eat it as well. It makes for a nice refreshing snack to beat the heat or even as a meal if you’re just a wee bit peckish. Here is a recipe from Food Network that I plan to try later. It looks incredible.

Ingredients

Here are the ingredients for making your authentic Peruvian ceviche.

• 1/4 pounds fish fillets (sea bass, sole or flounder), cut on the bias into 1-inch diced.
  • **Note that in the picture that was of raw salmon at a restaurant in the walled city. But typically I think white fish makes for better ceviche
• 1 quart water, boiled and chilled
• 1 red onion, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and sliced thin
• 1 aji amarillo, rib and seeds removed, diced
• 1 clove garlic
• Salt and pepper
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 2 ears corn, cut in 1/2 – I believe this is more as a garnish
• 1 sweet potato, sliced 1/4-inch thick – also used more as an after thought garnish from what I’ve seen
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 head butter lettuce

Directions

1. Have grill pre-greased and pre-heated to medium-high. Place fish in a non-reactive bowl. Add 3 cups of chilled water to fish and rinse gently. Drain water.
2. Add onions to remaining chilled water and let soak
3. Meanwhile, place aji, garlic, and pinch of salt in a mortar and pestle. Grind to make a paste.
4. Combine fish, lime and lemon juices, aji and garlic paste, salt, pepper and cilantro. Let marinate for 10 minutes
5. Brush corn and sweet potato slices with oil and place on grill. Cook about 10 minutes.

When ready to serve, divide fish ceviche among 4 lettuce cups and top with onion slices. Serve with grilled corn and sweet potato slices.

Voila! Time to enjoy your authentic Peruvian ceviche. Looking for something a little less….. raw? Maybe try Yuca Balls stuffed with cheese. That was another delicious appetizer I tried while in Colombia. Here is the simple recipe from My Colombian Recipes.

Have any other South American recipes to share? Feel free to send me a comment below. Would love to try some new (somewhat) authentic recipes at home!