Ceviche Perlita
Ojai resident Claud Mann, chef and cohost of the TBS show Dinner and a Movie and a regular contributor to Edible Ojai, makes this dish constantly during the summer. His wife’s father, who grew up in Acapulco, invented it and called it Perlita, or “little pearl,” for daughter Perla. The title also refers to the bright bits of fish in the ceviche.
Notes: The citric acid in lime juice firms fish and makes it opaque, so ceviche looks and tastes cooked but isn’t. As with sushi, if you want to be extra careful, shop at a trusted market, tell the fishmonger that you plan to eat the fish raw, and always use safe kitchen practices.
How to Make It
In a medium bowl, combine fish and 2 tbsp. each of lime and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours and up to 6, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, mix olive oil, oregano (rubbed between your palms first if the flecks are large), and pickled jalapeño juice in a large bowl.
Drain fish in a colander, discarding juices, and add to olive-oil mixture. Toss to coat.
Add pickled jalapeños, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, cheese, serrano, and cilantro. Peel avocado, cut into 1/2-in. cubes, and toss gently with remaining 1 tbsp. lemon juice; add to bowl and toss ceviche gently and thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and remaining 1 tbsp. lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips and hot chile sauce.
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Ingredients
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine fish and 2 tbsp. each of lime and lemon juice. Cover and refrigerate at least 3 hours and up to 6, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, mix olive oil, oregano (rubbed between your palms first if the flecks are large), and pickled jalapeño juice in a large bowl.
Drain fish in a colander, discarding juices, and add to olive-oil mixture. Toss to coat.
Add pickled jalapeños, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, olives, cheese, serrano, and cilantro. Peel avocado, cut into 1/2-in. cubes, and toss gently with remaining 1 tbsp. lemon juice; add to bowl and toss ceviche gently and thoroughly. Season to taste with salt and remaining 1 tbsp. lime juice. Serve with tortilla chips and hot chile sauce.
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.