Baja Fish Tacos with Cilantro Lime Slaw & Chipotle Cream Sauce

 

Cilantro Lime Slaw:

• 1/2 of a small purple cabbage, chopped
• 1/4 cup red onion, chopped
• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped fine
• 1 medium carrot, shredded
• juice of 1 1/2 limes
• 1 1/2 tablespoons honey

Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate for 1-2 hours.

Chipotle Cream Sauce:

• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 4 chipotle peppers in adobo, finely chopped
• juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients well and refrigerate.

Basic Beer Batter:

• 16 oz good beer (I use Dos XX amber)
• 2 cups all purpose flour

Gradually whisk the beer into the flour.  Set aside until ready.

Seasoned Flour:

1-1 1/2 cup all purpose flour

2 teaspoons chili powder

1 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

Mix all ingredients together.

Preparation of Fish:

For this recipe, I used 1 pound of fresh, local mahi mahi and freshly made white corn tortillas from Los Hermanos.

• First, salt the fish on both sides and let sit for about 5 minutes.  Use a paper towel to wipe off the salt and access moisture from the fish. 
• Cut mahi into similarly sized fingers.
• Dredge fingers into the seasoned flour, shake off access flour and drop into beer batter, shaking bowl to make sure fingers are completely coated.
• Add enough oil to a deep pan so that when you drop the fish into the oil, they will be fully covered.
• Heat oil to high before starting.  (135 degrees if using a thermometer)
• Using tongs, carefully drop in 4-5 fingers into the oil.
• Turn the fish fingers over, back and forth, during cooking.  Fry for about 3 minutes or until you see them getting crisp and light brown.
• Remove the fried fish fingers to a plate lined with paper towels.

To Assemble Tacos:

• Warm your tortillas first in the oven or a pan.
• (optional) Spread a spoonful of guacamole to the center of each tortilla .
• Place a piece of fish or two on top of the guac.
• Top fish with cilantro lime slaw.
• Drizzle chipotle cream sauce over taco.