National Ceviche Day, a national holiday in Peru, is this Friday, June 28, 2013. Ceviche, seviche or cebiche, however you like to spell it, it’s a downright brilliant invention.
Fresh fish ‘cooked’ in citrus is usually the standard ceviche recipe.
In light of my recent trip to Peru, I’ve got pisco, the grape-based brandy, on the brain. What better way to celebrate National Ceviche Day than combine the national food (rather its marinade) of Peru with the national liquor of Peru for a snazzy cocktail?
Tiger’s Milk or Leche de Tigre, the term used to describe the ceviche marinade, has long been praised in Latin American countries as both an aphrodisiac and a cure for a hangover. It’s common practice to do tiger’s milk shots in cevicherias (ceviche restaurants).
Created by Jorge Velasco, head barman of New York City’s La Pulperia, it’s a rather simple ceviche cocktail recipe, especially if you go out and buy pre-made ceviche with its juices entact.
Fiesta de Lima by Jorge Velasco
La Pulperia, NYC
1 part Portón pisco
1 part Leche de Tigre*
1 Egg White
*Leche de Tigre
Fresh scallops
Lime Juice
Lemon Juice
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Fresh Ginger
Dash of Sugar
Dash of Salt
1 Jalapeño, chopped
1 small Onion, chopped
Cilantro
Mix all ingredients for Tiger Milk and let sit for at least one hour; pass through a strainer and reserve. Combine all ingredients and dry shake. Add ice and shake again; serve in a coupe.
To Die For Ceviche in Lima, Peru
If you happen to be in Lima, Peru, there are over 11,000 cevicherias in the city to celebrate National Ceviche Day at. My favorite was the in-the-know cevicheria run by Lima’s ceviche king aka Chef Javier Wong. Born in Peru, but of Chinese decent, not only is his ceviche divine, but a meal at the humble cafe, Chez Wong, includes a sushi-chef style slicing and dicing show. Chez Wong was recently featured in Anthony Bourdain’s Parts Unknown Peru episode (but I want to say right here, I found it first!:))
DO make reservations ahead of time and DON’T leave without the exact address as it’s not visible from the street and many taxi drivers don’t know it.
Since he is a celebrity in Lima, he is more than accustomed to posing for photos. I couldn’t resist and had to take a photo with such a legendary chef (sorry for the blurry quality, was relying on the kindness of strangers for this one!).
Warning – be prepared to shell out some serious soles (not the fish but Peru’s currency). For a bottle of water, a mixed seafood ceviche and a Chinese stir-fry dish, the bill came to a whopping $70!!! And FYI, Lima is not an across the board expensive city like Paris or London.
WanderFood Wednesday Ceviche Recipe
In honor of National Ceviche Day, author of Wanderlust & Lipstick’s Wanderfood Wednesday blog, Lauren Van Mullen, shares her dad’s family Ceviche Recipe and some stellar ‘big fish’ family photos.
Happy National Ceviche Day!
Drink Well,
Lanee
Photos are the authors with exception of ceviche cocktail photos. Those are courtesy of Porton Pisco.