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PALM TREES AND sunlit patios are generally hallmarks of Southern California, but here in Marin they also encapsulate Beso Bistro. Located in Novato’s Hamilton Field, the restaurant highlights locally sourced organic produce, fresh sustainable seafood and pasture-raised, free-range meat. Wine lovers can embrace their inner Dionysus, with more than 20 selections by the glass and more than 50 by the bottle.
Most California appellations are carried here, along with some imports and wines on tap. Guests
can enjoy said wines and the restaurant’s coastal Californian fare either inside, with local artwork from the Marin Museum of Contemporary Art on the walls, or on the expansive patio. One
of Beso Bistro’s signature dishes is ceviche — which might seem an adventurous recipe for home
cooks to replicate, concedes restaurant founder Michelle Berlin: “The concept of ‘cooking’ raw
shrimp and fish simply in citrus may sound like something better left to professionals,” she says.
“But give it a try.” The acid in the lemon or lime will turn the seafood from translucent and gray
to opaque, white and pink. “[The dish] is a delightful gift from our neighbors to the south and
the surrounding islands,” says Berlin. “Recipes vary from region to region, depending on what
is available, and this recipe is fairly basic, yet customized to what we have here in Marin: locally
caught wild Pacific snapper and organic Meyer lemons.” besobistro.com KASIA PA WLO WSKA
Out & About / FLAVOR
Wild Pacific Snapper
and Shrimp Ceviche
Ingredients
1 pound wild Pacific snapper (or rock cod) fillets,
cut into ½-inch pieces
1 pound large (16/20 per pound) shrimp, peeled and
deveined, cut into ½-inch pieces
1 cup freshly squeezed Meyer lemon or lime juice,
or more as needed
½ medium red onion, finely chopped
1 to 2 fresh jalapeño peppers, seeded, finely chopped
(taste and adjust amount to your heat preference)
2 teaspoons kosher salt
½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 cup chopped seeded tomatoes with excess
juice drained
¼ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
Avocado slices
Tortilla chips, homemade or store-bought
To Prepare
1 In a large nonreactive baking dish, such as Pyrex or
ceramic, combine the snapper, shrimp, lemon juice,
onion, jalapeños, salt and pepper. Stir to blend and
spread evenly in the dish. The snapper and shrimp
should be just covered with lemon juice. If needed, add
more juice to cover. 2 Refrigerate the ceviche for 1 hour,
then stir to redistribute the marinade. Spread the ceviche
again and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight
until opaque. 3 Before serving, add the tomatoes and
cilantro and stir to combine. Top with the avocado and
serve with the tortilla chips.
RECIPE EDITED BY LYNDA BALSLEV
RECIPE
Cooking with Citrus
Novato’s Beso Bistro goes wild.
