In our cooking class in Arequipa we learned how to make the famous and delicious Peruvian ceviche. It was already a favourite of ours before we even got to Peru, so we were delighted to learn how to do it. Here is the recipe from the cooking class.
Peruvian Ceviche
Print recipe| Prep time | 30 minutes |
| Cook time | 20 minutes |
| Total time | 50 minutes |
| Allergy | Fish |
| Meal type | Appetizer, Lunch, Main Dish |
| Misc | Serve Cold |
| Region | South American |
This Peruvian dish involves immersing raw fish in citrus juice to slowly “cook” it. The most important ingredient is a firm, white fish. Oily fishes are not recommended.
Ingredients
- 1lb white boneless sea bass ((or any white fish, fresh and thick; for example: sole))
- 2 Medium onions cut julianne style ((thin stripes cut vertically))
- Juice of 8 – 10 limes ((“sutil” limes if you can find them))
- 2 aji limo chili peppers chopped (hot peppers)
- 1 1/2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 1 boiled sweet potato, cut into slices
- 2 ears of corn (remove the kernels)
- salt
- anise seeds
- 3 lettuce leaves (- for decoration)
Directions
| Step 1 | Boil the corn with some anise seeds (if you want, you can remove the kernels after cooking). |
| Step 2 | In another pot, cook the sweet potatoes, peel them and cut in slices, 2 cm width. |
| Step 3 | Wash and clean the fish with water and season with salt. Be sure to wash well as the fish will not be cooked. Cut it in pieces of about 2x3cm. How big you cut it depends on the type of fish you have. If the fish is breaking off into smaller pieces, you will need to cut it into bigger pieces. Remember, these pieces need to be small enough to swallow, so not too big. |
| Step 4 | Rub crushed garlic clove in a non-metal dish; then add the fish and some onion. Add a good amount of salt. Add the chopped limo chili/pepper, the cilantro and then squeeze the limes over the dish. There should be enough juice to dampen all the fish. |
| Step 5 | Let the fish rest for 10 minutes or until meat looks whiter and cooked. Do not "overcook" the fish. |
| Step 6 | Taste to make sure it’s to your liking. Add the rest of the onions over the fish. |
| Step 7 | Decorate with the corn, the sweet potatoes and the lettuce leaves. |
