Celebrate Citrus Season with Ceviche & Citrus Butter

Tips, video and photography provided by Heinen’s partner, Chef Billy Parisi.

Citrus season is in full effect, so I’m here to show you how to make two easy dishes that incorporate these ripe seasonal fruits.

One good thing about the cold winter months is all of the peak season citrus at our finger tips. From lemons and limes to oranges, grapefruits and tangerines, you name it, they are ripe and ready to be used.

How to Make Ceviche

The first recipe I’m making is a super simple ceviche! If you’re not familiar, ceviche is the process where citrus cooks raw fish over the course of 6-8 hours in the refrigerator, almost like a cured brine. It’s so delicious and extremely easy to make. Let’s get cooking!

1. Chop up raw shrimp and add it to a bowl.
2. To the bowl, add fresh citrus juices. Feel free to use any citrus you like. Lemon, lime, orange and even grapefruit will be delicious.
3. Stir the shrimp and juices and place the bowl in the refrigerator for 6-8 hours, allowing enough time for the acid to cook the shrimp.
4. After 6-8 hours, remove the bowl from the refrigerator. The shrimp will have changed color and become firm to the touch.
5. Add chopped fruits and vegetables of your choice to the bowl. For this recipe, I used red bell peppers, cucumbers and onions, but pineapple, avocado and tomato would be delicious, too.
6. Finish with cilantro, salt and pepper.
7. Mix and serve.

Serve this with your favorite dippers for an appetizer or add it to a tortilla to create shrimp ceviche tacos.

Note: Not a fan of shrimp? Not a problem. The acid from the citrus will cook any type of seafood.

How to Make Citrus Butter

I use herb butters all the time, but now I’m shaking things up by making a citrus butter.

1. Start by adding softened unsalted butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. A hand mixer or whisk will work as well. Whip the butter on high speed for 4-5 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
2. Add the zest of your favorite citrus. Lemon, lime, orange and grapefruit will work perfectly.
3. Once zested, add the juice of each citrus fruit.
4. Add herbs like parsley, thyme, garlic, shallots, tarragon and cilantro. The choice is yours.
5. Finish with salt and pepper. Mix to combine.
6. Serve on fish, steak, chicken, pork or cooked vegetables.

There you have it. Now, go celebrate citrus season in your own kitchen!