Crackling Fish Tacos Recipes

WALKING FISH TACOS WITH CRUNCHY CABBAGE SLAW AND CILANTRO DRESSING

Steps:

• For the cilantro lime sour cream: Combine the sour cream, garlic, jalapeño, lime juice, cilantro, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a small bowl and set aside.
• For the red cabbage slaw: Combine the lime juice, cabbage, onion, oil, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and massage for 2 minutes to soften the cabbage and distribute all ingredients evenly.
• For the fish: Mix the cayenne, cumin and paprika with 1/2 teaspoon salt and a few turns of pepper in a dish and sprinkle all over the fish. Put the flour in a shallow dish and season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Beat the egg with 1 tablespoon water in another shallow dish, then put the breadcrumbs in a third shallow dish and season with salt and pepper.
• Coat the fish all over in the flour and then the egg and then the breadcrumbs.
• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add a thin layer (about 1/4 cup) of oil. Fry the fish until golden and crispy, 4 to 6 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board and chop into strips.
• To serve: Fill paper bags with chips (or open small bags of store-bought ones) and crush them coarsely. Top with a big plop of cilantro-lime sour cream, some fish, a squeeze of lime, slaw, avocado, jalapeños and a pile of fresh cilantro. Enjoy!

FISH TACOS WITH CREAMY CHIPOTLE SAUCE AND PICO DE GALLO

Steps:

• For the tortillas: Brush a hot griddle with oil and heat the tortillas on each side to brown them up a bit. Wrap them in foil to keep hot until it's time to eat.
• For the fish: In a bowl, combine the chile powder, garlic salt, lime juice and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Toss the mixture with the fish in a shallow container and marinate for 15 minutes.
• For the chipotle sauce: In the meantime, combine the mayonnaise, cilantro, honey, chipotles, lime juice and salt in a food processor and blend until creamy and smooth. Transfer the sauce to a container (I like to store it in a squeeze bottle) and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Put the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fish and cook for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a plate and flake with a fork.
• To build each taco, spoon some fish onto 2 stacked tortillas (see Cook's Note). Top with some chipotle sauce, cabbage, cilantro and Pico de Gallo.
• In a medium bowl, combine the tomatoes, onions, jalapenos, cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt and pepper.

CRACKLING FISH TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine all the tartar sauce ingredients in a small bowl, using salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Rinse the fish under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 1-inch pieces and put in a bowl with the Worcestershire sauce, garlic, salt and pepper. Turn the fish to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 20 minutes or up to 4 hours.
• Place the flour in a shallow dish and toss the fish pieces in it, a few at a time, until evenly coated. Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. (To see if it's hot enough, place a small piece of bread in the oil; it should sizzle immediately.) Carefully add a few pieces of fish at a time, shaking off excess flour before placing them in the oil. Fry until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes; transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Meanwhile, heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add a tortilla and warm for 10 to 20 seconds on each side. Place on a plate and cover with a kitchen towel; repeat with the remaining tortillas.
• Spread a dollop of the chipotle tartar sauce on a warmed tortilla. Add a few pieces of cucumber and top with 3 or 4 pieces of fish, a few arugula and cilantro leaves and a little orange zest. Serve with lime wedges and more tartar sauce on the side.

CRISPY FISH TACOS

Steps:

• To fry the fish: Fill a large heavy bottomed pot about 1/3 full of peanut oil. Heat to 375 degrees F. While the oil is heating, put the breadcrumbs into a shallow dish. Break the eggs into another shallow dish, season with salt and pepper, and beat them with 2 tablespoons of water. Cut the fish into 1-inch wide strips. Dip them into the egg, then coat them well with the breadcrumbs. Set aside and let them rest for 10 minutes. Cook the fish a few pieces at a time until golden brown and cooked through, about 3 to 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• To make the tacos: Heat a dry cast iron skillet over medium heat. Warm a corn tortilla in the pan until it softens, about 30 seconds. Place a fish strip on it, top with some of the shredded cabbage, and a big dollop of Pink Chili Mayo. Squeeze on some lime juice, roll up, and eat!
• Put the mayonnaise, sour cream, peppers, and lime juice in a blender and process to a puree. Refrigerate the mayo for 1/2 hour to let the flavors to blend; taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper.
• Yield: 8 servings

FISH TACOS WITH SPICY SLAW

Steps:

• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high. Clean and lightly oil hot grill. Combine fish, cilantro stems, and jalapenos. Coat with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill fish and jalapenos until fish is opaque throughout and jalapenos are charred and tender, about 5 minutes per side.
• In a medium bowl, combine tomatoes, cabbage, and onion. Seed and finely chop 2 grilled jalapenos and add to bowl. Season to taste with seasoning salt and lime juice. Flake fish and divide among tortillas. Top with slaw and serve with cilantro leaves; remaining grilled jalapeno, thinly sliced; more seasoning salt; lime wedges; and avocado.