Fish Tacos

Makes 8 tacos

I have recently discovered the joy of eating fish tacos. The crunch of the warm fish contrasted with the cold creamy cole slaw makes it an unbeatable combination. I could not resist giving this an Italian flair.

Ingredients

Vegetable Oil Cooking Spray

1 lb Cod (or other thick mild white fish)

2 C Buttermilk

2 tsp Hot Sauce

2/3 C grated Parmesan or Roman cheese

½ C Italian Style Bread Crumbs

¼ C Corn Meal or Polenta

1 tsp Kosher Salt

1 tsp Dried Parsley

½ tsp Garlic Powder

1/8 to 1/4 tsp Red Pepper Flakes*

Canola Oil for frying

8 Tortilla Shells

2 C Cole Slaw *

1 C Italian Salsa *

In a large bowl mix the buttermilk and hot sauce until thoroughly mixed. Cut the fish into ¾” strips (about the size of the fish sticks you ate when you were a kid) and place the fish strips in the buttermilk.  Let them marinate for 15 to 60 minutes.

In a medium bowl mix the grated parmesan, bread crumbs, corn meal, salt, parsley, garlic powder and red pepper flakes.  Remove the fish, one piece of fish at a time and place it in the breadcrumb mixture. 

Fill a medium skillet to ¼ inch and heat over medium high heat until the oil shimmers. Sprinkle a few breadcrumbs into the oil. If they bubble the oil is hot enough. Place the fish sticks into the hot oil using tongs. Turn them when they reach a golden brown and brown the other side. Place on paper towels to drain.

Place a tortilla on a plate. Spread 2-4 tablespoons of cole slaw down the middle. Place 1-2 strips of cooked fish on top of the cole slaw. Top with 1 tablespoon of salsa. Wrap and consume with gusto and an optional Corona or Peroni.

Cole Slaw

While you can use any cole slaw for fish tacos, the slaw in this recipe has an Italian flair with the addition of some fresh Italian herbs and the sharpness of the horseradish that accentuates the flavors of the fish and salsa.

* Pronto Substitutes

Red Pepper Flakes – If you are serving this to children you may want to skip the red pepper flakes.

Cole Slaw and Salsa – the Italian style cole slaw and salsa from the Italian Pantry section of this cook book is best but you can substitute any creamy cole slaw or your favorite salsa.

To print copies of this recipe go to Fish Tacos.