Baja Fish Tacos

Ingredients

2 pounds fresh or frozen white firm-flesh fish fillets, such as cod or red snapper, cut into bite-size strips

Salt 4 cups finely shredded cabbage

1/2 cup chopped green onions (4)

1/2 cup snipped fresh cilantro

3 tablespoons white vinegar

2 tablespoons canola oil or vegetable oil

1 teaspoon sugar

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup cornstarch

1 tablespoon paprika

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup beer

1 egg, lightly beaten

Vegetable oil for deep frying

12 6 inches corn tortillas, warmed

2 avocados, halved, seeded, peeled, and thinly sliced

1 recipe Salsa Pina or other salsa

Mexican crema or sour cream

Lime wedges

Directions

1. Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish; pat dry with paper towels. Sprinkle fish with salt; set aside. In a medium bowl combine cabbage, green onions, cilantro, vinegar, the 2 tablespoons oil, the sugar, and the 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt. Toss well to combine; cover and chill until ready to serve.


2. For beer batter, in a large bowl combine 3/4 cup of the flour, the cornstarch, paprika, and baking powder. Add beer and egg; stir until combined (batter will be slightly lumpy).


3. Preheat oven to 200 degrees F. In a large skillet heat about 1 inch oil to 375 degrees F.


4. Place the remaining 3/4 cup flour in a shallow dish; dip fish pieces, one at a time, into flour, turning to coat and shaking off excess. Dip into beer batter. Fry fish, four pieces at a time, in hot oil for 2 to 4 minutes or until crispy and golden brown, turning once halfway through frying time. Drain on paper towels. Keep fried fish warm in the 200 degrees F oven while frying remaining fish.


5. To serve, place one or two fish pieces on each warm tortilla. Top with cabbage mixture, avocado slices, and Salsa Pina. Serve with crema and lime wedges.

Salsa Pina

Ingredients

1 cup pineapple preserves

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 tablespoon snipped fresh cilantro

1 jalapeno or serrano chile pepper, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped*

1/4 teaspoon salt

Directions

1. In a small bowl combine pineapple preserves, lime juice, cilantro, chile pepper, and salt. Whisk together until well mixed.

From the Test Kitchen

Although the pineapple preserves give this sauce its name, mango preserves or orange marmalade work well, too.

*

Because chile peppers contain volatile oils that can burn your skin and eyes, avoid direct contact with them as much as possible. When working with chile peppers, wear plastic or rubber gloves. If your bare hands do touch the peppers, wash your hands and nails well with soap and warm water.

Nutrition Facts (Baja Fish Tacos)

• 827 kcal cal.;


• 31 g Fat, total;


• 102 mg chol.;


• 4 g sat. fat;


• 99 g carb.;


• 17 g Monosaturated fat;


• 7 g Polyunsaturated fat;


• 10 g fiber;


• 30 g sugar;


• 37 g pro.;


• 1 mg Riboflavin;


• 1212 mg Potassium;


• 7 mg Niacin;


• 37 mg vit. C;


• 1mg Thiamin;


• 192 mg calcium;


• 2 µg Cobalamin (Vit. B12);


• 578 mg sodium;


• 153 µg Folate;


• 1 mg Pyridoxine (Vit. B6);


• 4 mg iron;


• 1020 IU vit. A


• Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet