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Red Snapper Ceviche

This is a very basic and traditional ceviche from coastal Peru. There is an ongoing argument in South America about who first invented ceviche, with both the Peruvians and Ecuadorans vying for credit. The Pacific Ocean fisheries that run along the western coasts of these two countries are the most productive in the world. They are the meeting place of some of the greatest deep-sea currents that bring the Arctic waters, full of life, to the surface for feeding the large schools of migratory fish. This recipe is a great way to enjoy the bounty of the sea while still preserving the integrity of the flavors. Try serving these tacos in smaller crispy shells. Guacamole, avocado slices, or diced boiled potatoes are traditional garnishes used to subdue the spicy effect of the chiles.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    makes 8 tacos

Ingredients

2 pounds boneless, skinless red snapper fillets, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 tablespoon habanero hot sauce
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons olive oil (preferably Spanish)
1 tablespoon fine sea salt
1 tablespoon chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro leaves
1/2 red onion, very thinly sliced
1 habanero chile, seeded and minced
8 (5 1/2-inch) crispy yellow corn tortilla shells (page 17), for serving
Garnish: Guacamole, avocado slices, sliced boiled potatoes, corn nuts, popcorn

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the tortillas and garnish and let them marinate for at least 2 hours in the refrigerator. Check for salt and serve immediately. The filling can sit for 1 to 2 hours, refrigerated, before it gets mushy.

    Step 2

    To serve, divide the filling, salsas, and garnishes equally between the crispy shells and arrange in a taco holder. Or, lean the filled shells in a row, propped upright, on a platter. Eat right away. To build your own, spoon some filling in a crispy shell, top with salsa and garnishes, and eat right away.

Tacos by Mark Miller with Benjamin Hargett and Jane Horn. Copyright © 2009 by Mark Miller with Benjamin Hargett and Jane Horn. Published by Ten Speed Press, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc. Mark Miller is the acclaimed chef-founder of Coyote Cafe in Santa Fe, New Mexico. He has started and owned thirteen different restaurants on three continents from 1979 to 2008. He is the author of ten books with nearly 1 million copies in print, including Tacos, The Great Chile Book, The Great Salsa Book, and Coyote Cafe. Mark currently works in International Culinary Consulting and lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Benjamin Hargett is a travel-loving chef who has cooked in Europe, the Carribean, Mexico, and the United States, where he worked with Mark Miller at the Coyote Café for many years.
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