Must-Try Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos

September 20, 2011

I don't know about other parts of the States, but California is still pretty hot. We are still eating outside and enjoying the last few weeks of warm weather. I made these tacos the other night for dinner and it was a delicious change from my usual chicken or carne asada tacos. Pieces of white fish are fried in a corn meal crust and topped with spicy jalapeno cream and crunchy slaw. Serve with black beans and Mexican rice.

Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos with Jalapeno-Lime Cream and Spicy Black Beans

Ingredients:

1 1/2 pounds tilapia (catfish and swai work too)

1/2 cup cornmeal

5 Tb. olive oil

16 tortillas (white corn tortillas are traditional)

1 1/2 cups shredded red cabbage

2 large tomatoes, chopped

3/4 cup chopped cilantro

2 limes cut into wedges

Bottled hot sauce

2 cans black beans, drained

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Monterey Jack cheese, shredded

2/3 cup light mayo

2 Tb. lime juice

1 chopped jalapeño (pickled if sensitive to heat)

Directions:

Mix the mayo, lime juice and chopped jalapeno in a small bowl. Salt and pepper to taste, then put in the fridge. I use a pickled jalapeno when I’m serving this to children because it provides great flavor, but isn’t as hot as a fresh jalapeno.

Chop all veggies and set aside.

Add 1 Tb. of oil to a small pan over medium-high heat. Add the green onions and allow them to sauté for 1-2 minutes. Pour both cans of drained beans into the pan. Bring to a simmer and add the cumin, cayenne and ½ tsp. of salt. Squeeze a couple of lime wedges into the beans. Cook for 5 minutes longer. Cover and set aside. Top the beans with cheese when you are ready to serve them.

Heat a large skillet to high heat. Cut the fish into 1 X 3 inch strips. Drizzle oil on the fish, then salt and pepper both sides.

Pour the cornmeal into a pie pan. Roll the fish strips in cornmeal, shaking off the excess.

Add 2 Tb. of oil to pan. When it’s hot, cook half the fish strips 1-2 minutes per side, until opaque and flaky. The cooking time will depend on the thickness of the fish. Remove the fish from the pan and place on a paper towel-lined plate. Repeat.

Warm the tortillas in the microwave. Divide the fish between 8 tortillas. (You can double up the tortillas so they won’t break!) Then top each with cabbage, tomatoes, cilantro and jalapeno-lime sauce. Serve with lime wedges and hot sauce—black beans on the side. Serves 4.