Fish Tacos With Smoky Slaw Food

BAJA FISH TACOS

Steps:

• Toss the cabbage, red onion, cilantro, vinegar, oil and salt together in a medium bowl and set aside.
• Combine the mayonnaise, lime juice, chipotle chiles with sauce and garlic in a blender or mini food processor and blend until smooth. Set aside.
• Mix the flour, salt and pepper together in a medium bowl. Gradually add the beer, whisking until the batter is smooth with no lumps. Set aside.
• In a medium skillet, over medium heat, add enough oil to reach a depth of ½-inch. Heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F, or when the end of a wooden spoon sizzles when dipped into the oil.
• Working in batches so as not to crowd the pan, dip the fish strips in the beer batter and coat on both sides. Let the excess batter drip off, then fry the fish in the hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Smear each tortilla with a generous amount of the chipotle sauce, then top with the cabbage slaw. Lay one piece of fish inside each tortilla and serve with lime wedges.
• Note: 3 chipotle peppers and 2 teaspoons sauce will give you a spicy sauce. Use less for a milder sauce. You can freeze any leftover chipotle peppers from the can.
• Note: Nutritional information was calculated assuming that approximately 3 tablespoons of oil are absorbed into the fish when fried.
• Note: Nutritional Information does not include the chipotle sauce.

GRILLED FISH TACOS WITH LIME SLAW

Steps:

• Toss the slaw mix, red onion, lime juice, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl; set aside.
• Preheat a grill to medium. Oil the grates. Mix the cayenne with 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl; rub all over the fish. Grill until well marked on the bottom and the fish releases easily from the grill, about 6 minutes. Flip and grill until cooked through, 4 to 6 more minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and slice or flake the fish.
• Meanwhile, wrap the tortillas in foil and warm on the grill, about 4 minutes.
• Divide the fish among the warm tortillas. Top with the slaw, cilantro, crema and salsa verde. Serve with lime wedges.

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!

SOUTHERN-STYLE FISH TACOS WITH CRUNCHY SLAW AND CHIPOTLE MAYO

Steps:

• For the slaw: Whisk the lime juice, oil, honey, and salt together in a bowl. Add the green and red cabbage, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, and toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap, and let the bowl chill in the fridge for 1 hour, so the flavors can develop.
• For the chipotle mayo: Blend the mayonnaise, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and honey in a food processor until smooth. Remove from processor, and set aside until ready to serve.
• For the catfish: Heat 2 inches of oil in a Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. (For tips on deep-frying, see page 19.)
• Slice the catfish into 1-inch-thick fingers on a diagonal, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce on a rimmed plate. Stir together the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper on another rimmed plate, and season with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dip the catfish into the buttermilk batter, then dredge it through the cornmeal mixture, shaking off the excess.
• When the oil is hot, gently drop the catfish into the Dutch oven and fry until golden brown, working in batches, about 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove to a paper-towel-lined sheet tray when done, and immediately season with salt and pepper.
• Place the tortillas on a plate, and wrap the plate with damp paper towels. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. (Alternatively, if you have a gas stove, turn the heat to medium and place a corn tortilla directly over the flame, to toast for about 15 seconds on each side. This will soften the tortilla and give it a delicious smoky flavor.)
• To assemble the tacos, place a generous portion of fried catfish onto the center of a warmed tortilla. Top with the crunchy slaw, and top with chipotle mayonnaise. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
• Slice the catfish into 1-inch-thick fingers on the diagonal. Brush with a few tablespoons olive oil on each side, and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the catfish 2 to 3 minutes per side. Assemble the tacos as directed.

GRILLED-FISH TACOS WITH RADISH-CABBAGE SLAW

Steps:

• Mash garlic and salt into a fine paste using a mortar and pestle (or use the side of a chef's knife), and transfer to a bowl. Stir in cilantro, chili powder, oregano, lime zest, and olive oil. Cut 2 slashes in the skin of each fish fillet. Flip, and rub half the spice mixture onto fish; reserve remaining half.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill fish, skin side up first, flipping once, until cooked through, about 4 minutes per side.
• Remove skin from fish, and discard. Flake fish into large pieces, discarding any bones. Combine fish with the remaining spice mixture and toss with 2 teaspoons lime juice.
• Toss radishes, cabbage, and scallions in a bowl. Mash avocado in a bowl; stir in 1 tablespoon lime juice.
• Using tongs, toast tortillas over an open flame of a gas stove, 5 to 10 seconds per side. (Or heat the tortillas in a skillet over high heat.)
• Spread 1/4 mashed avocado onto each tortilla. Top with fish, slaw, and cilantro leaves. Fold tortillas over filling, and serve with lime wedges.