Fresh catch in the Valley

Dear SOS: Sweet Butter in Sherman Oaks uses shrimp in the freshest tasting and most flavorful ceviche I have ever tried. Can’t stop thinking about it. Any chance of snagging the recipe?

Susan Hawkins

Beverly Hills

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Dear Susan: Plump tiger shrimp are tossed with chopped onion, tomato and spicy habanero peppers, the flavors brightened with fresh lemon juice and a medley of spices. Sweet Butter was happy to share its take on this refreshing classic.

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Noelle Carter

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Sweet Butter’s shrimp ceviche

Total time: 20 minutes, plus marinating time for the shrimp

Servings: Makes a generous quart of ceviche.

Note: Adapted from Sweet Butter in Sherman Oaks.

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1 pound black tiger shrimp, tail-on

3/4 cup fresh lemon juice

1 onion

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro

2 to 3 tomatoes

1/2 to 1 habanero pepper, stemmed and seeded

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Sea salt, to taste

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the shrimp and cook just until they turn a light pink, about 1 minute. Drain immediately and place in an ice bath to cool and stop the cooking process.

2. Peel and coarsely chop the shrimp and place in a medium bowl. Toss the shrimp with the lemon juice and set aside for about 1 hour to marinate.

3. While the shrimp is marinating, chop the onion, cilantro, tomatoes and habanero pepper, and place in a large bowl.

4. After the shrimp has marinated (it should be whitish-pink and firm throughout), drain the shrimp, reserving the liquid. Add the shrimp to the large bowl. Stir in the cumin, pepper, oregano and garlic powder, and season with one-fourth teaspoon salt. Taste, and add back a little of the strained lemon juice to brighten the flavors, and season again, if desired, to taste.

Each of 6 servings: 93 calories; 14 grams protein; 7 grams carbohydrates; 1 gram fiber; 1 gram fat; 0 saturated fat; 121 mg cholesterol; 3 grams sugar; 636 mg sodium.