Saturday, July 4, 2009

Fish tacos...Where have you been all my life?

On a recent trip to San Diego for house hunting.... I discovered the deliciousness that is the fish taco. ( we found a house also!) The combination of crunchy cabbage, crispy fish and a delicious sauce made me wonder why I hadn't tried them sooner?!


I arrived home and pulled out my recipe binders from culinary school to piece together my own version of coastal fish tacos. The results were really good if I do say so myself.



Tempura Fish Tacos

(tempura batter recipe courtesy of Chef David)


1 lb. fresh white fish ( I like tilapia because it readily available)
1/4 cup ice
1/2 cup cold water
1 egg
1 cup cake flour
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups canola oil
1/4 lb. cabbage shredded
6 corn tortillas


Sauce
1/2 cup hellman's mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
3 canned chipolte peppers
1 tbsp. lime juice
salt and pepper to taste
quartered fresh limes


Mix together water, ice, egg. Then slowly add flour until just mixed. Do not over mix! Set aside. Slice fish into long thin strips approximately 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Heat oil to 350 degrees. Dip fish into batter and fry until golden brown. Set on paper towel to absorb oil while cooling. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Warm corn tortillas until soft.
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Place ingredients for sauce in food processor and blend until smooth.
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To build your taco
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Place a teaspoon of sauce in the center of the corn tortilla, put fried fish on top of sauce and top with shredded cabbage. You can also add tomatoes and cheese of your choice.Serve with sliced and quartered limes on the side.
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Carlsbad Beach

16 comments:

Reeni said...

I recently discovered fish tacos, too! Their awesome! Congrats on the house.

Chef E said...

Yes, congrats on the house, hope it is a dream house! My son just shared that he may move to that area for a job...we have always wanted to live in CA...love fish tacos too!

Selba said...

Congrats on the house!

Love the pictures!

Laura in Paris said...

Congratulations on the house .. it is never easy to find a suitable home-to-be, isn't it?
When you'll move in, you'll celebrate with ... fish tacos!

Donna-FFW said...

Congrats on your home. I hope you have many happy years there.

The fish tacos sound lovely. I have yet to make them and want to try soon.

Anonymous said...

I discovered fish tacos in San Diego too :) Loving your recipe for tempura fish tacos - can't wait to try! Congrats on finding a house!

chow and chatter said...

never had this sounds great and nice pics, hope your find your dream home LOL

Dana Fallentine said...

Looks like home to me! Yummy!

Sara said...

Did you go to Rubios for fish tacos? I miss San Diego style fish tacos, I ate them all the time in college.

Sippity Sup said...

Welcome to CA. Fish tacos are just the beginning of all the culinary wonder this state offers. I'll catch flak for this... but California is hands down the BEST state. The beach and fish taco are just scratching the surface. GREG

Lori said...

I love fish tacos for all the wonderful reasons you mentioned. I recently had some in Alexandria VA that included a Thai chili sauce for dipping. Out of this world! So glad to have this recipe.

Sarah said...

Sarah- Yes we did have Rubio's one day when we were tired from the beach. But my favorite was at The Fish Market in downtown San Diego.

Greg- I already am in love with California. It is killing me to be here until Aug. I will miss some amazing friends, but they already have plans to visit :)

Chris said...

I don't do fish. Sorry;)

Congrats on the house finding!

Maris said...

Nevermind the house - we want to hear more about those fish tacos!

Just kidding, congratulations! I've only been to San Diego once but it really sounds like a great place to live.

admin said...

I never heard of fish tacos either until I lived in Arizona. When I first heard of them I thought they sounded gross but they are really good.

Kiezie said...

Oh, I have always avoided fish tacos, I just can't imagine liking them, but EVERYONE who says that eventually changes their mind. I may change mine too, these sound awesome!! Best of luck with the move, it sounds like a great opportunity for you too!!