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What Is Peruvian Ceviche and Where Can I Get It in Florida?

Peruvian ceviche is fresh fish “cooked” in fresh lime juice, tossed with sliced red onion, chili and cilantro, and served cold. In Florida, you can get both a fish ceviche and a mixed seafood ceviche at La Granja, a homestyle Latin restaurant with more than 50 locations from Miami to Orlando.

How Is Ceviche Made?

Ceviche starts with firm white fish cut into bite size pieces. The fish goes into a bowl of freshly squeezed lime juice, and the acid in the lime firms up the fish and turns it opaque, the same way heat would. Red onion, chili and cilantro go in next, along with a pinch of salt.

The leftover lime juice at the bottom of the bowl is called leche de tigre, or tiger’s milk. In Peru, plenty of people drink it straight. It is bright, sour, a little spicy, and it wakes up your whole mouth.

What Is the Difference Between Fish Ceviche and Mixed Ceviche?

Fish ceviche is just that: fish, lime, onion and chili. It is clean and simple, and it is the version most people try first.

Mixed ceviche, sometimes called ceviche mixto, adds other seafood to the fish. If you love shrimp and calamari, mixed ceviche gives you more textures in every bite. La Granja offers both on the Specialties menu, so you can pick the one that fits your mood.

What Do You Eat With Ceviche?

Ceviche is usually served with sides that balance out the sharp lime. Sweet potato, corn and crunchy toasted corn are the classic Peruvian partners. At La Granja you can round out the table with sides like fried yuca, tostones and sweet plantains.

Ceviche also makes a great starter before a big plate of pollo a la brasa or a sizzling plate of beef sauteed. Fresh and light first, then something hearty off the grill.

Is Ceviche Safe to Eat?

Ceviche is made with raw seafood that is cured in lime rather than cooked with heat. Like sushi, it is a dish people across Latin America enjoy every day. As with any raw or undercooked seafood, consuming it may increase your risk of foodborne illness, especially for people with certain health conditions, so choose what is right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ceviche cooked?

Ceviche is not cooked with heat. The fish is cured in fresh lime juice, which firms it up and turns it opaque.

Does La Granja have ceviche?

Yes. La Granja serves a fish ceviche and a mixed ceviche on its Specialties menu at locations across Florida.

What is leche de tigre?

Leche de tigre, or tiger’s milk, is the tangy lime and chili liquid left in the bowl after ceviche is made. Many people sip it on its own.

Keep Reading

• What Is Jalea de Mariscos?
• What Are the Best Latin Side Dishes? Yuca, Tostones and Sweet Plantains
• What Should I Order on My First Visit to La Granja?
• What Is Homestyle Latin Food?