In the world of Caribbean cuisine, consider Jamaican chef and TV host Chef Irie your master of ceremonies. The Jamaican native (a.k.a. Hugh A. Sinclair) has spend a career spreading the good gospel of island flavor. A staple on the food festival circuit, he is also the host of “Taste The Islands,” the first ever nationally-syndicated Caribbean cooking show in America.
Wherever demonstrating recipes or swapping tales with legendary singers and sports stars, Chef Irie charms the screen. But the Johnson & Wales University grad also brings serious culinary chops too, cutting his teeth at popular South Florida establishments like Turnberry Isle Resort, Cascades and Bimini Boatyard.
In the kitchen, the accomplished chef loves to remix classic Caribbean ingredients in unexpected way, like this refreshing (and addictive) recipe for snapper ceviche, served with plantain chips.
PRO-TIP: Feel free to swap out ingredients for your favorite flavors. Instead of snapper, try shrimp, mahi, tuna or any other firm white fish. You can also use lemon, lime, orange or grapefruit juice.
Chef Irie’s Snapper Ceviche
Ingredients
1 lb fresh snapper (no skin or bones)
3/4 cup lime juice
1 cup orange juice
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
4 – 5 cherry tomatoes (sliced)
1/4 cup medium diced mangoes (ripe but firm)
1/4 cup diced red and green peppers
1/4 tsp chopped ginger
1/4 tsp diced jalapenos
1/4 cup red onions julienned
1 tsp thyme leaves
1 tsp black pepper
1 tsp salt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Cilantro sprigs and plantain chips for garnish
Instructions
Dice snapper fillets into 1/2″ cubes, place in a bowl and add a quarter of the lemon and orange juice. Place that bowl into another with ice for 10 minutes
Drain snapper and place in a medium clean bowl
Add chopped vegetables and fruits
Add fresh lemon and orange juice, salt and pepper to taste, and rough chopped cilantro
Mix together all ingredients and spoon into martini glasses
Place in fridge until ready to serve. Garnish with cilantro sprigs and plantain chips
For step-by-step instructions, check out this clip from Taste the Islands:
