From the second Project Food Blog details were posted, I knew what I’d be making for Challenge #2. I had been jonesing for an excuse to prepare homemade ceviche, and this was it. I promptly began recalling memories and researching recipes for my trip through unchartered challenge territory.
The perfect mix of nerves and excitement, ingredient shopping felt strikingly similar to the first day of school. Call me a nerd, but as a ‘misser’ of that feeling, I was stoked. I unpacked the the key limes, grabbed a cutting board, and began halving as my grocery sacks sat full on the counter. Impatience?
I cubed the sea bass into smaller than bite sized portions as I was unsure of exactly how long it would take for the raw meat to marinate to safety. I tossed the fish, squid, fresh cilantro, minced jalapeno, and red onion into the bottom of the hand juicer and started, what I knew would be, this recipe’s most time consuming task: juicing a gazillion teeny key limes.
What probably took less than 20 minutes seemed like an eternity. I honestly couldn’t see a light at the end of this juicing tunnel. And my fingers!!!
My fingers were pruned nation, but I kept on keepin’ on. And when I was finished squeezing, I stuck the entire juicer in the fridge to marinate for approximately one hour. Tick… Tock…
I periodically stirred the mixture, not out of necessity, but as a means to make myself busy. And I took up another ten minutes of the hour by making two traditional ceviche sides: sweet potatoes and corn.
At a little less than 60 minutes, I transferred the ceviche to a pie plate and matched the mixture with coconut milk to cut the tartness of the key limes.
I was finally finished and oh so excited to see how my creation stacked up to my restaurant favorite. Once again, I proved that making mollusks at home is not a good idea. BUT! The sea bass was exquisite and Project Food Blog… You deserve a big saucy thank you for helping me conquer yet another at-home fare fear!
This is amazing! A ceviche? Seriously stellar. Great job!
Thanks! Making your own “raw” food is definitely intimidating, but… making your own cheese?! That’s ambitious!
wow! this is very much similar to a Filipino dish called kilawin. i’m sure this one tastes delicious! congrats for making it to round 2 and here’s hoping we both get to the third. best of luck!
Thank you, you too!! Fingers crossed, I went out and bought some party dishes today 🙂
I have always wanted to make my own ceviche and thanks to you, I think I just may very soon! I think i’ll invest in a lemon/lime press after seeing your fingers!
Great post and good luck:)
I’m definitely going to give it another try, maybe with fish, shrimp, and scallops instead of fish and squid? Thank you for reading and best of luck to you too!
Mmmmm ceviche! One of my favorites too. I particularly like mahi mahi in it. It has a great taste and texture. If you enjoyed the sea bass you will love the mahi.
Awesome, thanks! Mahi is a little lighter on the wallet too 🙂
No need to be scrrrrd! that looks great. Nice work.
Thank you!
OOOooooooh Key lime and coconut…. it’s like a match made in food heaven. Sounds delicious!!
I thought so too 😉
I have never tried a ceviche before, but judging from this one I am missing a lot. Good luck with this 2nd challenge!
Thank you and you should definitely give it a try!
P.S. I read your latest post about only liking sangria… I bet you’d enjoy Framboise Beer if you’re looking for a change up!
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Will do! Thanks!
Great post! Thanks for your vote…you got mine too 🙂
Awesome! Thank you so much!
Good to see that you’re not scurred of raw fish, that kind of fear is turrible (I’ll stop now). I think I’d bust out the power juicer for something like this, props for doing it the old fashioned way. You’ve got a vote of ours!
Lick My Spoon
The key limes ended up being too tiny for the hand juicer, so I literally had to squeeze most of them! Must invest in a “citrus squeezer”… Thanks for the vote!
I love ceviche- now that you made it once, you will make it again and again. A vote goes to you!
Lisa.
Thanks!! Hopefully we’ll each get to read each other’s challenge #3 posts!
I’ve only had ceviche in Chile, but damn was it good. Yours looks and sounds awesome—especially with the sea bass (my fav fish). I’m def clicking the heart for you.
Thank you! I’d love to do a South American ceviche tour!
Have never tried ceviche before, but it sure does look good. Love all the ingredients used so should be a hit at the table, thanks for sharing and look forward to seeing the surprise on my families faces when I tell them I did it.
One of my favorite dishes….I’m pretty sure I ate four times my body weight in ceviche when I was in Costa Rica two years ago!
That sounds like heaven!!
Been meaning to try making ceviche myself. Great work!
Thank you! It’s definitely worth a try!
Yum. I love ceviche.
Next time you should try some poisson cru! It’s amazing. Voted!
Thank you! I’m not exactly sure what that is, but I’ll look it up!