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Monday, April 18, 2011

Mahi Mahi Fish Tacos

This officially marks my first time making fish tacos (I know! What was I waiting for?) I found a fantastic recipe with a Tequila Lime Aioli and fresh Pico De Gallo.The only actual cooking time is 5 minutes for the fish. The rest of the components require simple preparation and I got to work on those first. It is important to note which ones have the same ingredients and complete all your preparations together. For example, multiple sides call for lime and cilantro, so it might make sense to have a few bowls set up to juice your limes into and to dice plenty of cilantro at once!
{Tequila Lime Aioli}
3 tablespoons premium tequila
1 lime, juiced
8 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons minced cilantro leaves
salt & pepper

Add all the ingredients in a small bowl, whisk to combine and chill for one hour (roughly.)
This makes a lot. I definitely didn't use the full 8 oz of sour cream or 1/4 cup of milk, I sort of just eyeballed it. And I know what you're probably thinking - tequila and milk? Once you blend it all together, it works. It fulfills the cool creamy element of sour cream needed in a taco except this version is thin and silky with an added zing of blended Mexican flavors.

{Pico De Gallo}
2 Roma tomatoes, diced
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 red onion, minced
1 teaspoon minced garlic
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
1/2 lime, juiced
Salt and pepper

Mix everything together in a small dish and refrigerate one hour for the flavors to meld.
{Cabbage and Carrot Slaw}
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1/2 cup shredded red cabbage
3 tablespoons chopped cilantro leaves
1/4 cup very thinly sliced red onion

Combine all the ingredients in a medium size bowl and set aside.
{Tequila-Lime Marinade and Panko Batter}
1 lime, juiced
1 tablespoon tequila
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 mahi mahi fillets, cut into 1-inch pieces
16 (8-inch) corn tortillas
Canola oil
1/2 cup tempura flour
2 eggs, whisked
1 cup panko bread crumbs
monterey jack cheese
sliced avocado

Combine the first five ingredients in a bowl. Add the fish and toss to coat. Let marinate for about 15 minutes. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and warm the tortillas for about 6 minutes. Remove the fish from the marinade, dredge in flour, dunk in the egg and roll in the panko breadcrumbs. Press the panko around the fish, making sure it properly adheres. Heat the oil in a large sauté pan or dutch oven over medium heat. Add the fish to the oil and fry for 5 to 6 minutes, or until light golden brown. Prepare your tacos! I added additional garnishes of sliced avocado and shredded cheese.I like the idea of using tequila in the marinade and the aioli. It adds a festive punch but isn't overly powerful, especially with everything else you have going on. The crunch of the slaw, the zest of the aioli and the flavors of the cool refreshing pico de gallo can't be beat. The mahi mahi worked out perfectly, it is more firm than cod and I thought it proved a little easier to handle when dredging in the panko batter. The proportions I listed made enough fish tacos for Adam and I to enjoy a filling dinner on Sunday evening and we had plenty of leftovers sufficient for dinner the next night! I have more than enough aioli and pico de gallo left so you could easily cut back on those recipes even more if you were only preparing tacos for two people. Otherwise, with more fish and slaw, the measurements will suffice for a small crowd. 

23 comments:

  1. That pico looks so vibrant! I love all the different elements in these, and I like your tip to do the prep work together... I always try to do that too. These look amazing... now, to work on getting Jeff to realize he would love fish tacos!

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  2. these look incredible. i love fish tacos in the warmer months!!! so refreshing :)

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  3. Thank you for these recipes. I will now make the aioli and drink it directly from the container. Wait, I mean, spoon it over things.

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  4. I love fish tacos, and all of the toppings look great!

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  5. I love having taco dinners because they are so fun to make and eat. Your fish tacos look great!

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  6. They're so pretty and colorful! Love the cabbage slaw

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  7. I love fish tacos!! I'm going to have to try this recipe.

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  8. What a great foray into the world of fish tacos. Admittedly, I usually go with cheaper white fish but mahi mahi cannot be beat. I love your slaw and all the vibrant colors going on here!

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  9. They look beautiful! All that color, happy to hear they turned out so well, I will have to make those soon :)

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  10. these look so yummy! i would love to try.

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  11. Anything with avocados is an immediate WIN!

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  12. Wow, you went all out for your first time making these! All those different condiments sound so delicious, especially the one with tequila :D

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  13. LOVE fish tacos! And a Tequila lime Aioli?! That sounds all sorts of fantastic!

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  14. LOVE fish tacos, and i'll have to make them soon :)

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  15. i have never had a fish taco before, definitely need to try these bad boys out

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  16. I just had fish tacos last week at a Mexican place and was thinking I may be able to make them at home. Now I definitely can!

    Thanks for adding to my things to do in Boston list. I actually have never done the full freedom trail but have done most of the things you mentioned from it- they definitely can be separate activities!

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  17. These look super tasty. Especially the Tequila Lime Aioli. Yum!

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  18. Fantastic job with these fish tacos. Bright bold flavors. I could def go for some.

    But, Guy Fieri? That dude is complete douchebag.

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  19. What a BEAUTIFUL meal! Each component looks so fresh and full of flavor! Thank you for sharing, with cinco de Mayo and SUMMER right around the corner, this is a great recipe to have on hand :)

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  20. Do you have more leftover? Can I come over? Tequilla in the sauce and the marinade! Yummy!

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  21. I've never made fish tacos either - but man-o-man these look incredible. so fresh and colorful! YUM!

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  22. is it okay to feed to kids?

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