BMF Fish Taco

Let’s put together the most amazing fish taco. 3 components make a fish taco perfect for me…

1. Fish
2. Condiment/Sauce
3. Batter

… Hold up, BATTER? That’s right… Now, I’ll enjoy a light grilled fish taco every now and then, but when I want to grub it out, I need a fish-and-chips style piece of fish. Big, crunchy, moist, and flavorful.

What kind of fish? It’s got to be cod, haddock, or hake. It has to be a white fish for this recipe.

The most perfect taco has to come with some kind of sauce, in my opinion. I really like a chipotle mayonnaise on my fish tacos. Here’s the recipe:

Chipotle Mayonnaise

Mayonnaise - 1 ½ cups
Cilantro, chopped - 1 tbsp
Lime juice - 1 tbsp
Chipotle puree - 2 tbsp
Salt - pinch
Black pepper - pinch

Method: Whisk all ingredients together.

* Make chipotle puree by blending the contents of a can of “chipotle peppers in adobo”

The bit of freshness that puts this recipe over the top is a bright little cabbage slaw that, in musical terms would be something like a "hee-hee." - it's the high note that takes it to the next level.

Cabbage Slaw

Cabbage, shredded (green and/or red) - 1 head
Olive oil - 1 ½ tbsp
Lime juice - 2 tsp
Coriander seed - ½ tsp
Salt - pinch
Black pepper - pinch

Method: Toss together and chill.

For a batter, this will be your typical beer batter. You can actually turn this into fish & chips quite easily by using this batter. It’s also perfect for chicken fingers.

Beer Batter
(this batter will work great for chicken fingers, onion rings, shrimp, etc..)

Eggs, large - 3
Dark beer (New Castle, Sam Adams) - 8 oz
Dry mustard - 2 tsp
Chili powder, dark - 1 tbsp
Salt - 1 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tsp
Flour (A.P.) - 1 ½ cup

Method: Whisk very well until there are no lumps.

Now, to batter the fish…

Method:

1. Dredge fish in the flour, and place in the batter.

2. Heat oil to 375°F

3. Place floured-and-battered fish into hot oil and cook until golden brown.

4. Assembling these tacos is a cinch. Lay the fried piece of fish on a warm tortilla, top it with a small amount of cabbage slaw, and a drizzle of chipotle mayo.

This is one of those great transport meals. It doesn't even matter the time of year, because this is something that can be the star of a summer-themed party in the dead of winter that will make anyone feel like they've been whisked away to an island.

Copyright 2010, Brian Griess, All rights reserved