Ceviche on the Beach: Living a Siesta Key Sunset Dream

There's something truly magical about escaping the daily grind and reconnecting with what truly matters. We had just returned from our annual family beach vacation, and for the first time in what felt like forever, we truly lived a sunset dream. Our destination? The pristine, sun-drenched beaches of Siesta Key on the west coast of Florida.

The journey down was quite the adventure. It was a long, eight-hour drive from North Georgia, made more interesting by pouring rain for a good portion of the way. But even amidst the downpour, we had a new favorite stop to look forward to: Buc-ee's! That place is a lifesaver with its (cheaper) gas and, more importantly, those absolutely awesome brisket and chicken sandwiches that are quickly becoming a road trip tradition. Finally, after hours on the road, we pulled into Siesta Key, the rain thankfully behind us, and the warmth of a long-awaited family reunion washed over us as we met up with the rest of the crew.

The week unfolded beautifully. It was a blissful blur of sunny days, punctuated by the occasional (and inevitable) slight sunburn. We spent countless hours laughing, sharing stories, and catching up with family members we rarely get to see. And the best part? Disconnecting. Not receiving work emails or chats on our phones was a long-time dream come true for this year, allowing us to truly be present and soak in every moment. We drank, we ate, and we laughed – a simple yet profound rhythm that defined our days.

As our wonderful week began to wind down, with only about three days left, we decided to make one evening particularly special. We wanted to catch a stunning Siesta Key sunset from the beach, accompanied by something savory and utterly delicious, paired with a nice, cold drink.

Our culinary mission began with a quick trip in the truck to the local fish market. The aroma of the ocean was invigorating, and we walked out with two pounds of the freshest grouper filet, caught that very day. Next, it was on to Publix to gather the remaining ingredients for what we knew would be a showstopper: a delicious Peruvian Ceviche!

Back at the apartment, the kitchen transformed into a flurry of activity. My wife, with impressive dedication, tackled a huge bag of Costco limes – all twelve of them – squeezing every last drop of tangy juice into a bowl. Meanwhile, I took on the delicate task of slicing the fresh grouper into thin, bite-sized pieces, though a few delicious chunks inevitably made their way in. To complete the base, she finely cut some red onion, minced fresh garlic, and added a generous dollop of Peruvian Aji Amarillo (yellow pepper) paste for that authentic, vibrant flavor. Once the fish was perfectly sliced, we gently combined all the ingredients in the bowl, gave it a good mix, covered it, and let it rest in the fridge for about two hours. This "cooking" process with the lime juice is pure magic!

When the time was up – perfectly timed to head down to the beach an hour before sunset – we carefully transferred the now perfectly "cooked" ceviche into a container. The Igloo cooler was packed with ice-cold drinks and a generous bag of tortilla chips, the ideal accompaniment to our fresh creation.

As we arrived on the beach, the sky was already beginning to paint itself with hues of orange and purple. We met up with the rest of the family, and everyone eagerly dug into the delicious ceviche. It was just as I said before: "We drank, we ate and we laughed". The "older kids" among us settled in, sharing stories, throwing a Frisbee, and simply enjoying the company and the stunning view. The little ones, full of boundless energy, ran along the shore, chasing the receding waves and splashing in the gentle surf as the sun dipped lower and lower, casting a golden glow over everything.

We truly couldn't have asked for a more perfect, peaceful, and delicious end to that day. It was a quintessential Siesta Key moment, a true Backyard Pitstop memory in the making.

Check out the whole ceviche recipe and that incredible beach front view on our Instagram link below! ⛱

Ceviche recipe - https://www.instagram.com/p/CgkfOw5jTab/