Experience a burst of fresh flavors with these shrimp ceviche cups, a delightful appetizer perfect for any gathering. The combination of zesty lime juice, crisp cucumber, and juicy tomatoes creates a refreshing dish that is both light and satisfying. Served in romaine lettuce cups, this ceviche is not only delicious but also visually appealing, making it an ideal choice for entertaining guests or enjoying a light meal at home.
When preparing this recipe, the key ingredient to focus on is the shrimp. Ensure you select fresh, small-sized shrimp that are already peeled and deveined to save time. Lime juice is another essential component, and using freshly squeezed juice will significantly enhance the flavor. Cilantro adds a distinct, aromatic touch, so make sure to pick fresh, vibrant bunches. If you don't usually have romaine lettuce at home, remember to grab a head from the produce section to serve as the cups for your ceviche.
Ingredients For Shrimp Ceviche Cups
Shrimp: Small-sized, peeled, and deveined shrimp are used for a tender and juicy texture.
Lime juice: Freshly squeezed lime juice is crucial for marinating the shrimp and adding a zesty flavor.
Tomatoes: Diced tomatoes provide a juicy and slightly sweet contrast to the tangy lime.
Red onion: Finely chopped red onion adds a sharp, pungent flavor to balance the dish.
Cucumber: Diced cucumber offers a refreshing crunch and mild flavor.
Cilantro: Chopped cilantro brings a fresh, herbal aroma and taste.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the ceviche.
Black pepper: Freshly ground black pepper adds a subtle heat and depth.
Romaine lettuce: The leaves serve as cups to hold the ceviche, adding a crisp texture.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
Shrimp - Substitute with firm tofu: Firm tofu can mimic the texture of shrimp and absorb the flavors of the ceviche marinade, making it a suitable plant-based alternative.
Shrimp - Substitute with white fish: White fish like tilapia or cod can be used as they have a mild flavor and firm texture similar to shrimp.
Lime juice - Substitute with lemon juice: Lemon juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, though it is slightly less tart than lime juice.
Diced tomatoes - Substitute with diced red bell peppers: Red bell peppers add a sweet and crunchy texture, providing a different but complementary flavor profile.
Red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots offer a milder onion flavor, which can be preferable for those who find red onion too strong.
Cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Zucchini has a similar texture and mild flavor, making it a good alternative for cucumber.
Cilantro - Substitute with parsley: Parsley provides a fresh, slightly peppery flavor that can replace cilantro for those who dislike its taste.
Salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce adds a salty flavor with an umami depth, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
Black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper offers a similar heat and flavor profile but is less visually apparent in the dish.
Romaine lettuce - Substitute with butter lettuce: Butter lettuce has a soft texture and mild flavor, making it a suitable alternative for serving the ceviche.
Alternative Recipes Similar to This Dish
How to Reheat Leftovers
Gently warm the shrimp ceviche in a skillet over low heat for about 2-3 minutes. This method ensures that the shrimp doesn't overcook and maintains its tender texture. Stir occasionally to distribute the heat evenly.
Place the ceviche in a heatproof dish and cover it with aluminum foil. Preheat your oven to 275°F (135°C) and warm the dish for about 5-7 minutes. This gentle method helps preserve the freshness of the vegetables like tomatoes and cucumber.
If you're in a hurry, use the microwave on a low power setting. Place the ceviche in a microwave-safe bowl, cover it with a microwave-safe lid or plate, and heat it for 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until it's just warm.
For a unique twist, try reheating the shrimp separately. Sauté them in a pan with a splash of lime juice and a sprinkle of cilantro for about 2 minutes, then mix them back with the chilled vegetables before serving in the lettuce cups.
If you prefer a cold dish, skip reheating altogether and refresh the ceviche by adding a squeeze of fresh lime juice and a pinch of salt to enhance the flavors before serving.
Essential Tools for Preparing This Recipe
Knife: Essential for chopping the shrimp, tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, and cilantro into small pieces.
Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for safely chopping all the ingredients.
Mixing bowl: Used to combine the shrimp with lime juice and later to mix in the other ingredients.
Measuring cup: Helps in accurately measuring the lime juice, tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber.
Spoon: Useful for stirring the ceviche mixture and for spooning it into the lettuce cups.
Citrus juicer: Handy for squeezing fresh lime juice efficiently.
Serving platter: Ideal for arranging the lettuce cups filled with ceviche for presentation.
How to Save Time When Making This Dish
Prep ingredients in advance: Chop shrimp, tomatoes, red onion, and cucumber ahead of time and store them in the fridge.
Use pre-squeezed lime juice: Save time by using bottled lime juice instead of squeezing fresh limes.
Batch wash lettuce: Wash and dry the romaine lettuce leaves in bulk to have them ready for assembly.
Quick marination: Let the shrimp sit in lime juice while you prepare other ingredients to speed up the marination process.
Pre-mix seasoning: Combine salt and pepper in a small bowl to quickly season the ceviche.
Shrimp Ceviche Cups Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 lb Shrimp, peeled and deveined small size
- 1 cup Lime juice freshly squeezed
- 1 cup Tomatoes diced
- 1 cup Red onion finely chopped
- 1 cup Cucumber diced
- 1 cup Cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Black pepper freshly ground
- 1 head Romaine lettuce leaves separated
Instructions
- 1. Chop shrimp into small pieces.
- 2. In a mixing bowl, combine shrimp and lime juice. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
- 3. Add tomatoes, red onion, cucumber, cilantro, salt, and pepper to the shrimp mixture. Stir well.
- 4. Spoon the ceviche into lettuce cups and serve immediately.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts
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