Tilapia Ceviche Celebration // Chef Uy, MD
Today is the day! In a few hours I become…. Chef Uy, MD!!
I’ve worked toward this dream my whole life, and it’s a little surreal that I’ve reached it.
B and I flew in a few days ago for our senior gala (aka med school prom). B’s parents flew in from California and we took them around Houston, showing off its attractions and top eats (stay tuned for a Houston Food Adventures roundup). Today my family’s driving in to celebrate as well!
My graduation robe looks huge on me, but I’m so excited to rock the green (fun fact: academic regalia is green for medicine because of bile – very attractive). No puffy hat though; we just get normal graduation cap and a tassel sadly.
Here’s a ceviche (adapted from Food Network) to celebrate graduation – ceviche is very refreshing as it heats up like crazy here for summer. You can make it with a variety of fishes and adjust the heat and spice to taste. I love these festive colors.
And this is my shout out goodbye dish to good Texas / Mexican / Latin cuisine, which I’m sure won’t be matched in the Northeast.
This is the last time I’ll be in Houston for who knows? I’m sad to leave it and the sunny Texas weather and friendly people, but I’ll be off to new adventures in Internal Medicine residency!
Tilapia Ceviche
Ingredients
2 pounds tilapia fillets, diced
1 cup lime juice (about 8 large limes)
3/4 cup chopped tomato
1/2 cucumber, peeled, seeded and finely diced
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 serrano chiles, seeds removed and diced
1 lime, cut into wedges
Tortilla chips, for serving
Directions
Put the tilapia in a medium glass bowl. Pour the lime juice over the fish until just covered. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator until the fish is white throughout (about 30 minutes) making sure to turn the fish over halfway.
Remove from the refrigerator and drain off excess lime juice. Add the tomato, cucumber, onion, cilantro, and serrano pepper. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
Serve chips topped with the ceviche. Garnish with lime slices. Best eaten immediately, but you can keep the ceviche for up to 24 hours in the fridge.
Congratulations Doc Natalie! Hmmm don't think you could match the Mex Mex here, but there are little pockets of hope. It will take more time and a keen eye to find them
Congrats! What an accomplishment and all the while blogging too! I think I'll be serving this ceviche quite a lot during our hot Florida summer. Good luck in your move & residency. Look forward to hearing more.
Congratulations on your graduation! Sorry if this is a silly question, but I haven't had ceviche – is the Tilapia cooked before hand or is this raw?
Congratulations Dr. Chef! I feel like people don't make caviche enough, it's so simple and refreshing. Looks delicious! 🙂
Thanks Didi! If I can't find it up in the East Coast, I'll just have to make it then 😀
Thank you! I hope to keep blogging up during residency somehow!
HI Nicole. In ceviche you don't cook it by heat, but the acidity of the lemon/limes will chemically cook the fish opaque. So it's not cooked beforehand and it's not really "raw" either
Thank you Elsa 😀 Ceviche sounds scary and fancy to make, but it's simpler than most people think!
That ceviche looks so good it took my breath away!
I used to love ceviche! Can you use shrimp instead?
Congrats! I love ceviche! But I have never tried to prepare one!
Congrats! I want to try some ceviche!
mm this looks great..
and congratulations!
Congrats doc!! You're a total rockstar! I love ceviche and yours look so fresh and tasty 🙂
As long as it's not your appetite hehe. Thank you!
Yes you can; I've done it before with other recipes. The cooking time may slightly differ but the concept is the same; just watch the shrimp til it's cooked pink from the acidity
Thank you! Hope you test it out
Thanks Sonali. I've finally joined the ranks of doctor and food blogger combined like you 😀