Gaston Acurio’s Cebiche Elegance

With 32 restaurants in 12 countries, prolific Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio may be Latin America’s answer to Bobby Flay or Mario Batali. Acurio and his wife operate restaurants around the world, including the popular upscale global chain, La Mar Cebichería, which opened its doors in New York City last year. The restaurant specializes in ceviche, or “cebiche,” a Peruvian delicacy made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juice.

Ingredients:

Leche de tigre

• 1 cup fresh lime juice from about 10-15 limes (the softest, juiciest available)
• 2 cloves of garlic, smashed
• ½ pc habanero pepper
• 4 ice cubes
• ¼ lb. striped bass scrap
• 1 cup cilantro leaves
• ½ cup red onion, roughly chopped
• Salt to taste

Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth. Strain mixture through a fine-mesh sieve and season to taste with salt. Set aside. 

Cebiche

• 1.5 lbs sushi-grade striped bass, cut into ½-inch cubes (all the scrap can be used for leche de tigre)
• ¼ cup fresh lime juice (about 4 limes)
• 4 oz. red onion, sliced very thin
• 1 pc habanero, cut in half
• ½ tbsp. cilantro leaves
• 1 cup choclo (cooked Peruvian corn kernels)
• 2 lbs sweet potato, roasted at 375 until soft, peeled and cut into chunks
• 1 cup leche de tigre (see above)
• Salt to taste

Rub the bottom of a large bowl with the cut sides of the habanero; slice the habanero and reserve for garnishing later. Add the cubed fish, ice cubes, a healthy pinch of salt and lime juice to the bowl and mix together. Add half of the sliced red onion, leche de tigre and sliced habanero. Mix well and check for seasoning – you may want to add more salt.

Serve the ceviche with the cut sweet potato and choclo in a large bowl or several small plates. Drizzle any extra leche de tigre over the fish and garnish with cilantro leaves.