The most popular fish used in Peru is sea bass, or grouper, although every type of seafood and shellfish is used as well. The Peruvian ceviches include a few rounds of cooked corn on the cob and cooked slices of sweet potatoes.
- 1 1/2 pounds sea bass fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces, or substitute swordfish
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 rocoto chiles, seeds and stems removed, thinly sliced into rings, or substitute 1 habanero or 3 jalapeños
- 1 large onion, thinly sliced
- 2 cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 1-inch thick slices
- 3 ears fresh corn, cleaned and cut into 2-inch thick slices
- Bibb lettuce leaves
Place the cut and cleaned fish into a large glass or ceramic bowl and sprinkle with the salt and black pepper. Add 1/2 of the chile rings, onion, lemon juice, lime juice, and the garlic and mix lightly; cover the mixture for 1 hour until the flesh is opaque.
About 30 minutes before serving the fish, cook the sweet potatoes in a large pot of boiling salted water for 12 minutes; then, add the corn to pot and cook for 10 minutes more, until tender. Drain the vegetables and reserve them, at room temperature, for the garnish.
Drain the fish thoroughly in a colander and arrange the Bibb lettuce leaves on 4 dinner plates. Place the fish on the lettuce leaves and garnish with the reserved chile rings, and surround the fish with the wheels of cooked sweet potatoes and corn.
