Ceviche has been at the top of my favorite food list since I started dating my now husband back in 07'.  Yes, I was only a wee, little 14 year-old girl day dreaming about his long locks, but I must say those long locks didn't distract me from learning a thing or two in the kitchen from his mom.

My husband's mom has always been a great cook.  As a child when all the other kids had lunchables and Doritos, he was so jealous because his mom packed him a gourmet meal with fresh fruits, a nice protein, and vegetables.  I attribute his mom's good cooking to his crazy, healthy eating habits (other than the occasional binge eating of my desserts).

So, now here comes me and my curly-headed, little 14 year-old self following his mom around the kitchen and making a mess everywhere I go. If she's reading this right now, she's likely laughing and nodding, "yes, that sounds about right".  

Side note: Those of you that don't know me, I am a bull in a China shop. Really. Who knew that a 5'2" girl could leave such a disaster in her footsteps? She can indeed.

During those high school years in her kitchen I fell in love with homemade black beans & rice, limes, cilantro, fresh garlic, mangos and most of all, ceviche.

I grew up on my grandmother's soul food and other typical, American food like spaghetti on Mondays. So when I stepped into my now mother-in-laws kitchen and tasted authentic, Spanish cuisine, I was in food heaven.  Since then, I have tried to replicate her food and haven't even come close. Even when I come up with a recipe and send it her way, her's always turns out better. 

Although I absolutely love Ceviche, it has intimidated me so much so that I've never tried making it on my own. Until now! I was a bit nervous that I was going to waste all my money on shrimp and avocados and it was going to be a complete disaster. However, I am happy to report it was super delicious and easier than expected. 

Wanted to share with you all this super easy & tasty Shrimp Ceviche recipe in hopes that you'll love it as much as I do.  It's easier than it looks and it tastes better the next day.  What more can ya ask for?

SHRIMP CEVICHE RECIPE

Prep: 40 min     Ready in: 3 hours

1 pound of raw shrimp (peeled)

Juice of 2 lemons

Juice of 2 limes 

Juice of 1 orange

1 cup diced  cucumber 

½ cup finely chopped red onion

1 diced jalapeño 

1 avocado, chopped

1 cup diced tomato

¼  cup roughly chopped cilantro leaves

¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Combine water and ¼ cup salt in a large saucepan; bring to a boil over high heat. Add shrimp and immediately turn off the heat. Let the shrimp sit until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes.

Add lemon, lime and orange juice to the chopped shrimp, set in fridge for 1-2 hours.

Mix the remaining ingredients together and combine with marinated shrimp and juices.  Let sit in the fridge for another 1-2 hours.  Serve with tortillas or alone.  Enjoy!