Tuna Ceviche with Avocado and Cilantro

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We fell hard for chef Rick Bayless's salpimentado (salt-and-pepper) ceviche from the southern tip of Baja California in Mexico. From his menu at Chicago's Frontera Grill, it has an unmatched clarity of flavor because the short marinating time preserves the tuna's fresh taste.

Tuna Ceviche with Avocado and Cilantro. Photo © Antonis Achilleos
The short marinating time preserves the tuna’s fresh taste. Photo: © Antonis Achilleos
Active Time:
30 mins
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Yield:
6

Ingredients

  • 1 pound sushi-grade tuna, sliced 1/4 inch thick

  • 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced

  • 3/4 cup fresh lime juice

  • 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 large Hass avocado, cut into 1/3-inch dice

  • 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro, plus leaves for garnish

  • Salt

Directions

  1. Line a baking sheet with plastic wrap. Arrange the tuna slices in a single layer on the baking sheet and freeze until fairly firm, about 15 minutes.

  2. Stack the slices of tuna. Using a very sharp chef’s knife, cut the tuna into neat 1/4-inch cubes. Transfer the cubed tuna to a medium glass or ceramic bowl and stir in the red onion, lime juice and black pepper. Cover the tuna with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour, stirring gently with a plastic spatula every 15 to 20 minutes (the diced tuna will change color slightly).

  3. Just before serving, gently fold in the diced avocado and chopped cilantro. Season the ceviche with salt. Transfer the ceviche to a serving bowl or individual glasses. Garnish with cilantro leaves.

Serve With

Tortilla chips.

Suggested Pairing

Bright Spanish white.

Originally appeared: July 2011

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