Ceviche also spelled cebiche in certain Latin American regions, is a traditional dish that originated in Peru. Typically, it is made from raw fish and seafood marinated in citrus juices, usually lime or lemon juice, and seasoned with onions, salt, and coriander.
The citrus juice plays an important role in the ceviche, as due to its low pH level the juice denatures the proteins present in the fish, thus it changes the structure of the protein, “cooking” the fish without the need to use heat.
Ceviche is a very versatile dish, meaning that it can be prepared using a variety of fish and seafood such as tilapia, sea bass, halibut, shrimp, and scallops. Moreover, ceviche can be served as a starter or main dish, the options are countless. Wanting to know more about this typical South American dish? Keep on reading to learn how to eat ceviche.
How Healthy is Ceviche?
Well, the truth is that ceviche is a really healthy food, either if you are following a low-calorie diet or just trying to eat healthier, ceviche is definitely an option that should be on the top of your list. Ceviche is prepared without the addition of any processed food and it is filled with nutrients such as antioxidants, omega-3, and omega-6 provided by the fish. If this does not convince you, take a look below at all the nutrients that ceviche provides:
Great source of protein: depending on the type of protein used to prepare the ceviche, a portion of 100 grams can provide you with 15 to 30 grams of protein, around 30% of the daily recommendation for an average adult.
Vitamin B12: This vitamin helps to keep healthy blood cells and nerves. Also, it can act in preventing a type of anemia called megaloblastic.
Omega-3: this unsaturated fatty acid is of the “good” fat group. It has the potential to fight inflammation, lower blood pressure, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The recommended daily intake of omega-3 for a healthy adult is around 1.35 grams, halibut (a common fish used to prepare ceviche) has approximately 1 gram of omega-3 per every 100 grams serving, almost the entire daily recommendation.
Phosphorus: This is a key mineral that, along with calcium and vitamin D, helps the body to keep the bones healthy and strong.
Nonetheless, it is worth mentioning that fish in the ceviche is not cooked, although it is safe to eat, some precautions are needed. Safety measures include using a nonreactive recipient to prepare such as glass or ceramic; using fresh fish, and keeping it well refrigerated. In addition, children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised people should not eat ceviche.
Ceviche Serving Suggestions
As you can tell by this point, ceviche is a very versatile meal, it can be even used as a starter or meal. In this manner, there are several ingredients or toppings that you can add to your ceviche. Below you will find a comprehensive list of foods that pair well with ceviche, just let your imagination flow and create your own ceviche recipe.
| Fruits and Vegetables | Carbohydrates | Others |
| Avocado | Plantain chips | Tostadas |
| Lettuce leaves | Cornbread | Lobster |
| Sweet potato | Flatbread | Oyster |
| Jicama slaw | Rice | Guacamole |
| Cucumber salad | Quinoa | Shrimp |
| Mango salad | Bean Salad | |
| Roasted chili peppers | Tortillas |
Ceviches are really perfect for hot days, to make your meal more memorable pair your ceviche with the right drink, some of the options include cold lager beer, white wine, fruit infused water, fruit juice, and tropical cocktails such as margaritas.
Ceviche Recipe
Craving to taste this incredible Peruvian dish? The good news is that ceviches are relatively easy and fast to prepare as you do not even need to cook them. So here is an easy recipe for you to try out.
Classic Ceviche Ingredients:
- 400 grams or 1 pound of skinless fresh fish (halibut, tilapia, bass)
- 1 and ½ cup of fresh lime juice
- 1 medium chopped onion
- 2 large chopped tomatoes
- 1 finely chopped jalapeño
- 1/3 cup chopped cilantro
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- Pinch of salt
- 3 tablespoons of orange juice
- 1 large diced avocado
- Tortillas chips for serving
How to prepare: Firstly, you will need to marinate the fish a day in advance. In order to marinate, in a stainless bowl, add the fish, lime juice, and onion. Note: the juice must cover the fish. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for around 4 hours. Once the fish is ready, drain it using a colander.
Secondly, in a large bowl, combine the tomatoes, jalapeño, cilantro, and olive oil. Mix together with the fish and a pinch of salt.
Thirdly, add the orange juice, and the diced avocado, gently stir, and serve it fresh.
Conclusion
Ceviche is a typical dish from Southern America, traditional to Peru more specifically. This extremely versatile dish is perfect for many occasions and the serving options are endless.
Regarding how to eat ceviches, they pair extremely well on hot days, being an excellent option for a lunch menu. Its fresh taste will bring you immediately to tropical beaches. In addition, ceviche can be served either as a first course or a main dish and if that was not enough there are many options to prepare it, using a variety of ingredients and fish types.
Furthermore, this typical Peruvian dish is known for its health benefits. Ceviche is an excellent option to include in virtually any diet, it possesses a lot of key nutrients such as omega-3, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and protein in just a few calories. The only caution you should have while consuming ceviche is with respect to the fish freshness. As the fish in the ceviche is not cooked by the heat, instead it has its proteins denatured due to citrus juice, you should only consume it fresh. Also, it is important to note that due to the mentioned cooking method, ceviche is not recommended for pregnant women, children, or immunocompromised people.
