【Key Ingredients】
– Main Ingredient: Cod or Halibut 1.5 lbs (approx. 680g, use fresh boneless fish)
– Acid Base: Lime juice 2 cups + 4 fl oz (2 cups approx. 470 ml, 4 fl oz approx. 120 ml, total approx. 590 ml)
– Vegetable Ingredients: Yellow onion 2 oz (approx. 57 g), English cucumber 4 oz (approx. 113 g, peeled and seeded)
– Flavor Enhancers: 1 oz jalapeño peppers (approx. 28g, seeded; adjust quantity based on desired heat level), 0.5 oz fresh cilantro (approx. 14g, stems removed, leaves only)
– Texture Contrast: 6 oz avocado (approx. 170g, choose ripe but firm, peeled and pitted)
– Sauce ingredients: Ketchup 3 oz (approx. 85g), tomato sauce 6 oz (approx. 170g), orange juice 2 fl oz (approx. 60ml)
– Seasoning powders: Chili powder 0.5 tsp (approx. 2g), salt 0.5 tsp + additional to taste (approx. 2g + add as needed)
– Accompaniments: Tortilla chips or tostadas, as desired
【Preparation Steps】
1. Fish Preparation & Marinating: Cut fresh fish into uniform 0.5-inch (approx. 1.3cm) cubes. Place fish in a glass bowl (avoid metal bowls to prevent spoilage). Pour in 2 cups lime juice, ensuring fish is fully submerged. Cover tightly and refrigerate for 45-60 minutes. Stir every 15 minutes to ensure even exposure to the acidic marinade, completing the “curing” process (fish will gradually turn white and firm).
2. Prepare Vegetable Toppings: Dice yellow onion into 0.25-inch (0.6 cm) cubes. Peel and seed English cucumber, then dice into similar-sized cubes. Combine both in a large bowl. Deseed and finely chop jalapeño peppers. Rinse cilantro, pat dry, and finely chop. Add both to the vegetable bowl.
3. Prepare and combine avocado: Peel and pit the avocado, then cut into 0.5-inch (1.3 cm) chunks. Gently fold into the vegetable bowl (avoid pressing to prevent mushing). Use a spoon to lightly toss the ingredients, ensuring onions, cucumber, chili, cilantro, and avocado are evenly combined.
4. Prepare the flavor sauce: In a separate small bowl, add tomato paste, tomato sauce, orange juice, the remaining 4 fl oz lime juice, chili powder, and 0.5 teaspoon salt. Whisk or stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully combined into a smooth sauce. Pour the prepared sauce over the vegetable-avocado mixture and gently toss to coat evenly.
5. Combine fish to complete dish: Remove marinated fish from marinade. Drain excess lime juice using a slotted spoon (discard marinade liquid). Gently fold drained fish cubes into sauce-vegetable mixture using a spoon, lifting from the bottom to avoid breaking fish. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt to your preference, ensuring a balanced flavor profile.
