There are always some people who are fond of international cuisines. That being said, if you are a fan of Latin cuisine, you must be thinking about Aguachile vs. ceviche because they are always confused with each other.
Both these recipes have their roots in Peru and are served as appetizers. However, they are combined with different side dishes to make them the main dish. However, there are some differences which we are sharing through this article!
Aguachile vs Ceviche
Ceviche
Ceviche is the South American seafood recipe that basically originated in Peru. It is made with raw fish (fresh) which is cured with fresh citrus juice, such as lime juice or lemon juice. Traditionally, this recipe used bitter orange juice. Ceviche is spiced with chili peppers, aji, various seasonings, salt, chopped onions, and coriander. This recipe is consumed raw and is never cooked with heat. This dish has to be consumed as soon as it’s made to ensure it doesn’t cause food poisoning.
For the most part, ceviche is consumed as appetizer. However, some people do like it as a main dish but that’s served with different side dishes to complement the flavors, such as cooking banana, avocado, lettuce, sweet potatoes, and maize. This dish is extremely popular in Western Latin America and it’s considered to be the national dish of Peru. Ceviche is generally made by macerating the meat in spices, citrus juice, and vinegar.
We have already mentioned that citrus juices are added to ceviche which not only improves the flavor but it also denatures the seafood protein. Generally, the recipe is marinated for around three hours but modern recipes have a short marinating time. As far as the Latin American versions are concerned, ceviche is enhanced with some specific garnishes. It’s considered that citrus juice marinating helps cook the raw fish. As for the meat, multiple options are used, such as squid, conch, snapper, shrimp, lobster, and octopus.
As for the ingredients, various options are available, such as sweet potato and corn. However, Mexican restaurants use cilantro, tomatoes, and onions to enhance the flavors. In addition, some restaurants serve it with avocados. Even more, there are restaurants that add chilies into the recipe while some people chew on them separately. Last but not least, it can be served with a side of habanero.
Aguachile
Aguachile is a Mexican recipe that’s made of shrimp and is submerged in a liquid that’s seasoned with lime juice, chili peppers, onion slices, salt, cucumber slices, and cilantro. As for the cucumbers, people add it raw. The recipe is prepared in molcajete and belongs to the west Mexican region but it was first made in Sinaloa. Aguachile is made with a combination of chiltepines, boiled water, and small chili peppers in round form.
Truth be told, Aguachile is known for its simple recipe and adds pulverized chilies in the liquid, along with cut vegetables. In addition, lime juice is added to ensure shrimp is pickled up and enhances the flavor. The recipe is generally flavored with chiltepins (yes, those fresh green peppers but tend to be red when they are dried). The integration of peppers will enhance the spice level of Aguachile. Also, the fish is offered in raw form and is lightly marinated to improve the flavor profile.
For the most part, Aguachile is made with shrimps and is accentuated with lime juice, tomatoes, cucumbers, and tomatoes. However, to make the liquid, chilies are flavored with water, vegetables are prepped and added, and the mixture is chilled to make this recipe. As far as the shrimp is concerned, it’s best that you blanch them or conch them to enhance the texture. In addition, the shrimps are tossed in lime juice and chili water and are served right away.
Aguachile can be served with various seafood options and they are doused in sauce. In addition to shrimp, while fish like red snapper, halibut, cod, and tuna are also used to make this recipe. The best thing about this dish is that it’s suitable for people who are following keto and low-carb diets. For the most part, Aguachile is served as a Mexican appetizer. Not to forget, it’s available in different variations, such as the black version that’s prepared with chipotles, adobo sauce, and soy sauce.