COOKING with CANNABIS
Fresh Sushi for a Spring Ceviche Dish by Chef Dana Cunningham
It has been a beautiful spring so far . I absolutely love seeing the tulips bloom and the trees budding . What a fun time of year with all the new birth out in nature . On our farm , we are expecting goat babies , called kids ! We are so excited for these new additions to our farm . The goats have brought us joy . They also provide us with milk .
Also , this spring , we have about 1,500 plants started to get ready for the market . We grow herbs like lavender , rosemary , sage , basil , and mint . We also grow lettuce , vegetables , and microgreens ! Our starter vegetables for the market usually consist of tomato , cucumber , peppers , and squash . A little later in the season , I will have watermelon , pumpkin , and other squash . Don ’ t forget about the flowers ! We will have hanging baskets , drop-and-go arranged buckets , starter flowers you can plant yourself , and even cut flower bouquets . We will have our USDA-certified chicken for sale as well . You ’ re always invited to come see us at the Kearney , MO Farmer ’ s Market every Saturday morning starting in May .
When I think of spring , I think “ Fresh .” I love the fresh smell in the air , the fresh grass growing , the fresh flowers , and the fresh smell of rain . Of course , I always want my food to be as fresh as possible , but this dish is the definition of the word . It is like Sushi or Poke , yet instead of having an Asian influence , this dish from the sea is of Latin American descent . It is a staple in small towns and villages near the ocean . What would you call it ? The answer is Ceviche . It can be spelled many different ways depending on which country you are from . The recipe also varies by location . Ceviche is a dish made differently depending on the foods found in each specific region . do not have to use tuna . You can use any type of shellfish , such as lobster , shrimp , or scallops , or you can use a fish of your choice . Just ask your meat department at the store , and they ’ ll point you toward the safer options .
Because this recipe is considered raw or uncooked , we want to be super careful and get fresh fish from a reputable source . Of course , if you ’ re near the ocean like we were , feel free to catch your own fish for this recipe .
The infusion in this recipe will come from a light oil drizzle . If you have a nice fruity flower and a smoker , you could use it to add some smokey flavor to the Ceviche if you choose .
Ingredients
1 lb of firm white fish ( Sea bass , snapper , or halibut ) ½ cup fresh lime juice 3 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice 1 cucumber , peeled and diced 1 avocado , peeled and sliced 1 mango , peeled and diced ½ small red onion , diced 1 small jalapeno , diced ½ bunch of cilantro , chopped ½ tablespoon of sea salt 1 teaspoon of infused oil
The Method
1 . Place the fish and the lime and lemon juices in a large glass mixing bowl , cover with plastic , and refrigerate . Let marinate for at least 30 minutes . You will see the fish turn opaque or white ; that is how you know it is done . The longer the fish sits , the longer it will “ cook .”
2 . Remove the bowl from the fridge , and add the cucumber , red onion , jalapeno , mango , cilantro , and salt , gently stir .
3 . Once it is well incorporated , dish it out , top with avocado , and drizzle with an infused oil .
4 . Serve with crispy tostadas or tortilla chips and enjoy .
I know by now you are saying , but Dana , we are in the middle of the country and nowhere close to the ocean . My answer is that for this recipe , I suggest you ask your meat department at the grocery store to show you where the Sushi grade fish is located for this recipe . You
42 April 2024
Dana Cunningham is a Kansas City Native trained in French and American cuisine . She owns Infused KC , Kansas City ’ s CBD infusion think tank and focuses her culinary efforts on the farm-to-table concept at her four-acre homestead . She provides cooking classes in Kearney , MO . Follow her on Facebook , @ infusedkcmo or YouTube @ sunsetgrovekearney . Get your CBD at , www . infusedkc . com .