A little history lesson for you: Cinco de Mayo is a celebration held on May 5. This day is celebrated
nationwide in the US as a celebration of Mexican heritage and pride and
regionally in Mexico to commemorate the Mexican army's unlikely victory over
French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862.
In case you thought that Cinco de Mayo was Mexico's Independence Day,
that day is celebrated on September 16.
This recipe was adapted from one published in Mexico One Plate at a Time by Rick
Bayless, not to be confused with his brother, sports journalist, and former
Dallasite, Skip Bayless.
Ingredients:
Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail |
- ½ C plus
2 T fresh lime juice
- 1 lb shrimp (I tried 2 types of shrimp from the fish market: medium uncooked (count: 20-25/lb); and large cooked (count: 20-24/lb post-cooked and deshelled weight) - either works fine, cut into bite size chunks
- 1/3 - ½ C medium white onion, chopped into 1/4 inch pieces
- 1/4 - 1/3 C chopped fresh cilantro
- ½ C ketchup
- 1-2 T vinegary
Mexican bottled hot sauce (such as Tamazula, Valentina or Búfalo – I used Tamazula (note that there are 2 versions: salsa
picante and extra hot)
- About 2 T olive oil, preferably extra-virgin, optional but recommended
- 1/2 - 1 C diced peeled cucumber or jícama (or half and half)
- 1 small
ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and cubed
- Salt
- Several
lime slices for garnish
- Tostadas, tortilla chips, or saltine crackers
If you choose to cook your own
shrimp, bring
1 quart salted water to a boil and add 2 tablespoons of lime
juice. Place the shrimp in the boiling water, cover and let the water return to the boil.
Immediately remove from the heat and pour off the liquid. Replace the lid
slightly off and let the shrimp steam off the heat for 10 minutes. Spread out
the shrimp in a large glass or stainless steel bowl to cool completely. Peel and
devein the shrimp if you wish. Toss the shrimp with the remaining ½ C lime
juice, cover and refrigerate for about an hour.
Chop the onion and then rinse under
cold water in a small strainer, then shake off the excess liquid. Add to the
shrimp bowl along with the cilantro, ketchup, hot sauce, optional olive oil,
cucumber and/or jícama and avocado. Taste and season with salt, usually about ½
t . Cover and refrigerate if not serving immediately.
Spoon the ceviche into sundae
glasses, martini glasses, or small bowls: garnish with sprigs of cilantro and
slices of lime. Serve with tostadas, tortilla chips or saltines to enjoy
alongside.
The ceviche is best served the day that it is made. The flavorings can be added to the shrimp a few hours in advance. Ole - muy bueno!
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