Using heat to cook (mock) ceviche
Although I love ceviche I'm worried about possible health issues caused by eating raw fish.
I know that freezing it at -20° C for at least 24 hours would be effective against Anisakiasis and reduce (but not eliminate) Salmonella. I'm also aware that the whole thing of "ceviche's cooked by the juice" is just a myth. Raw fish remains a risk.
Since ceviche's fish get de-naturated anyway by the lime (or other citrus), would the fish change considerably if I cook it at 60° C for some time?
What's the minimum amount of cooking time that would make the dish safe? Could this produce acceptable results? What fish would be the most appropriate here (that is, for being safe and tasty)?
Best Answer
The problem I see with cooking fish to dress as ceviche is achieving the texture. Citrus juice firms the raw fish while baking, for example, will produce either tender, fall apart fish or dry overcooked fish. Possibly bay scallops may survive in this substitution but I don't think so. The reason I make or purchase ceviche is for the fresh, clean taste. Not fishy. Another suggestion would be using surimi which is already prepared to have a nice texture. In the US it is called imitation crab or lobster usually made from pollack. Just one final comment. Consider the long history of this dish, and it goes back to before refrigeration. It's unlikely there is any grave danger from using this process. Buy a fresh, cold water fish, dice it, add the ingredients that you like, wait the required time and enjoy. Relax! Otherwise see www.trans-ocean.com for one surimi source.
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Can you cook ceviche with heat?
Ceviche is best served chilled or at room temperature. Note that while heat is an effective method for killing the bacteria that cause food poisoning, marinating it in citrus juice is not. So it's important to use the freshest seafood you can, from a source you trust.How long should ceviche be cooked?
Depending on the size of the fish pieces, you will need at least 30 minutes and normally an hour for the citrus to \u201ccook\u201d the fish. Two hours is fine, but beyond that the ceviche, while still good, becomes more of a pickled fish thing. It's a subtle difference, but you can taste it.What is the cooking method of ceviche?
What is ceviche? Ceviche is fish that has not been heated, instead, it is cooked by immersing it in an acid. As we discussed above, one of the most important steps of cooking fish is the denaturation of proteins. This can be done by heat, but acids can do this as well!Is ceviche fully cooked?
Technically speaking, cooking requires heat, so ceviche (also known as seviche or cebiche), a dish in which raw fish is marinated in citrus juice, isn't cooked. But it's not exactly raw, either. Both heat and citric acid are agents of a chemical process called denaturation.Healthy Shrimp Ceviche Recipe Meal Prep
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Answer 2
Millions of people eat raw fish, safely, on a daily basis. However, if that is something you want to avoid, choose a fish that flakes easily when cooked. Freshness, and well-handled product matters for safety with any food, fish is no exception. So, use the freshest product possible. This includes frozen fish. Poach gently, just until you are able to flake it apart with a fork. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fish. Chill. Flake and dress in a manner that resembles the type of ceviche you are trying to emulate. There is no reason that it can't be delicious (but it's not ceviche :-) ).
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