Peruvian causa acevichada is a popular modern seafood dish that brings together two beloved Peruvian preparations: causa limeña and ceviche. It combines a smooth layer of yellow potato seasoned with ají amarillo and lime, fresh avocado, and white fish prepared ceviche-style, finished with chilled leche de tigre.
While classic causa is often filled with chicken or tuna, its traditional potato mixture is made with yellow potatoes, ají amarillo, lime, oil, and salt. Causa acevichada uses that flavorful base to highlight the bright acidity and gentle heat of Peruvian ceviche.
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Peruvian Causa Acevichada
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Main Course
- Cuisine: Peruvian
Description
Peruvian specialty of yellow potato topped with ceviche, adapted to a homemade version and with exact proportions.
Ingredients
- 800 g yellow potatoes
- 75 ml freshly squeezed lime juice (5 tablespoons)
- 70 g ají amarillo paste (⅓ cup)
- 45 ml vegetable oil (3 tablespoons)
- 7 g salt (1¼ teaspoons)
- 180 g ripe avocado, thinly sliced (1 large avocado)
- 6 washed lettuce leaves
For the ceviche
- 400 g very fresh firm white fish fillet, skinless and boneless, cut into 2 cm cubes
- 100 ml freshly squeezed lime juice (⅓ cup + 1 tablespoon)
- 100 g red onion, thinly sliced (¾ medium onion)
- 15 g ají limo chili, seeded and finely chopped (1 small chili)
- 15 g fresh cilantro, chopped (⅓ cup)
- 5 g salt (¾ teaspoon)
- 2 g ground black pepper (½ teaspoon)
For the leche de tigre
- 100 g very fresh white fish trimmings
- 80 ml freshly squeezed lime juice (⅓ cup)
- 80 ml cold fish stock (⅓ cup)
- 40 g red onion, roughly chopped (¼ medium onion)
- 15 g celery, roughly chopped (½ small stalk)
- 5 g peeled fresh ginger (one 1 cm piece)
- 4 g peeled garlic (1 large clove)
- 10 g fresh cilantro (¼ cup)
- 8 g ají limo chili, seeded (½ small chili)
- 3 g salt (½ teaspoon)
- 100 g ice (1 cup)
For serving
- 200 g cooked and peeled sweet potato (2 small sweet potatoes)
- 200 g cooked corn on the cob (1 large ear)
- 50 g toasted cancha corn (⅓ cup)
Preparation
- Cook and mash the potatoes, wash the potatoes and cook them in their skins until very tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Peel them while still warm and pass them through a potato ricer until smooth and lump-free.
- Make the causa mixture, add the lime juice, ají amarillo paste, vegetable oil, and salt to the potatoes. Mix until the dough is soft, even, and easy to shape. Cover the bowl and let it cool at room temperature while you prepare the remaining components.
- Make the leche de tigre, blend the fish trimmings, lime juice, cold fish stock, red onion, celery, ginger, garlic, cilantro, ají limo, salt, and ice for 30 seconds. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and keep chilled.
- Prepare the ceviche, place the fish cubes in a chilled bowl and add the salt, black pepper, ají limo, and cilantro. Pour in the lime juice and add half of the red onion. Toss gently and let it sit for only 3 to 5 minutes. Add the remaining onion immediately before plating.
- Assemble the causa, press one layer of potato mixture into four cooking rings or individual molds. Add sliced avocado, then cover with another thin layer of potato mixture. Press gently so the causa holds its shape without becoming dense.
- Finish and serve, unmold each causa over a lettuce leaf, spoon the ceviche on top, and add 2 to 3 tablespoons of chilled leche de tigre. Serve with sweet potato, corn on the cob, and toasted cancha corn immediately.
Chef’s Tips
- Use yellow potatoes whenever possible, since their dry, creamy texture is key to a proper causa.
- Keep the fish chilled at all times and prepare the ceviche last so it stays tender and juicy.
- Do not leave the fish in lime juice too long; causa acevichada should taste fresh, not over-cured.
- Strain the leche de tigre well for a clean look and light texture.
- Assemble the dish shortly before serving so the leche de tigre does not soften the potato layers.
Traditional Variations
Peruvian cevicherías also serve causa acevichada with octopus, shrimp, mixed seafood, or thinly sliced fish in a tiradito-style presentation. Some versions include a creamy acevichada sauce, but the most representative preparation keeps the causa base, avocado, and fresh fish ceviche with leche de tigre.
Serving Style
Serve causa acevichada chilled but not ice-cold, with the freshly made ceviche on top. Place the sweet potato, corn, and cancha on the side so every bite can combine sweetness, acidity, spice, and crunch. Pair it with cold chicha morada or a light Peruvian lager.
Recommended Accompaniments
- Cooked sweet potato
- Corn on the cob
- Toasted cancha corn
- Plantain chips
- Cold chicha morada
A Culinary Curiosity
Causa limeña is an iconic Peruvian starter whose yellow potato, lime, and ají amarillo base can hold many different fillings. Causa acevichada reflects the creativity of contemporary Peruvian cuisine by bringing the tradition of causa together with the bold freshness of ceviche.
Frequently Asked Questions
Classic causa limeña is made with seasoned yellow potato and commonly filled with chicken, tuna, or seafood. Causa acevichada keeps that potato base but is topped with fresh fish ceviche and leche de tigre. As a result, it has a brighter, more citrusy, seafood-forward flavor than a traditional filled causa.
Use very fresh, firm white fish suitable for raw consumption, such as sea bass, flounder, grouper, halibut, snapper, corvina, or reineta. Avoid soft fish because it can break apart when mixed with lime juice. Keep it chilled and prepare the ceviche just before serving for the best texture.
You can cook the potatoes, make the potato mixture, prepare the leche de tigre, and cook the side dishes in advance. However, cut the fish, mix the ceviche, and assemble the dish immediately before serving. This prevents the lime from changing the fish too much and keeps the leche de tigre from softening the causa.
No. Traditional leche de tigre does not contain cow’s milk. Its pale, slightly frothy appearance comes from blending fresh fish, lime juice, cold stock, chili, onion, and aromatics. Some modern creamy acevichada sauces include mayonnaise or evaporated milk, but neither is needed for this version.
