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My Fish Tacos

I have eaten more than my share of fish tacos while living in Baja. But the beach is a half-hour drive from my house, so I was on a mission to find a fish taco recipe that I could make at home—one that was as delicious and authentic as the taco they serve at my favorite Rosarito taco shack. This is what I came up with—and I’m happy to say it competes!

Cooks' Note

Michelades and spicy seafood are the common remedy for a bad hangover. To make a michelada, freeze a beer mug; then moisten the rim with lime juice and coat it with salt. Add and 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (someone actually made me one of these with fake lime juice once-only once). Add beer, and drink before the ice melts.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    serves 6 to 8

Ingredients

Lemon Cream

1/3 cup mayonnaise
1/3 cup sour cream
1/3 cup Mexican crema (see page 70) or additional sour cream
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Fish

Oil, for frying
1 cup all-purpose flour
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 pounds skinless halibut fillet, cut into 5 x 1/2-inch strips
Beer Batter (page 50)
Twelve to sixteen 6-inch corn tortillas, warmed (see page 59)
2 cups shredded cabbage
Fresh Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa (page 183)
Canned pickled jalapeño chiles (optional)

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    To make the lemon cream, whisk the mayonnaise, sour cream, and crema in a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon zest, lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons water. Season the cream sauce to taste with salt and pepper. (The sauce can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

    Step 2

    To cook the fish, add enough oil to a large skillet to reach a depth of 1 inch. Heat the oil to 350°F.

    Step 3

    Combine the flour and 1 teaspoon salt on a plate and mix to combine. Sprinkle the fish pieces all over with salt and pepper, and then coat them with the prepared flour.

    Step 4

    Working in batches, turn the floured fish pieces in the beer batter, coating them on both sides. Fry in the hot oil for 5 minutes, or until the fish is golden brown and cooked through. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

    Step 5

    Make tacos with the tortillas and fish, topping each with some of the lemon cream, shredded cabbage, tomatillo salsa, and pickled jalapeños if desired.

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