Classic Ensenada Fish Taco Recipes

ENSENADA-STYLE FISH TACOS

Steps:

• For the batter: Mix the flour, mustard, oregano, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper in a medium bowl. Gradually add the beer while whisking; the beer will make your batter crispier and more airy. Whisk until combined, then set the batter aside.
• For the cod: In a large deep skillet over medium heat, add enough oil to cover 1 inch of the skillet and heat until the oil reaches 350 degrees F.
• On a large plate, combine the flour and 1 teaspoon salt. Season the fish strips with salt and pepper. Coat the fish in the flour mixture, then dip them into the beer batter. Fry in batches in the hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a rack for the excess oil to drain.
• For the Brussels sprouts slaw: In a bowl, add the olive oil, vinegar, chili oil, oregano and sugar and whisk to combine. Add the Brussels sprouts and toss to coat. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the tacos: Heat the tortillas directly over a gas burner until charred in spots but still pliable. Make the tacos with the warm tortillas and fish, then top with the crema, Brussels sprouts slaw, salsa, red onions and jalapeno.

BAJA STYLE FISH TACOS

Steps:

• Mix tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno peppers, 1 tablespoon juice from jalapeno peppers, and garlic salt in a bowl; squeeze 1/2 lime over salsa fresca. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate while preparing fish.
• Toss coleslaw mix with ranch dressing in a bowl; set aside for flavors to blend.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Stir batter mix and beer together in a bowl. Wrap corn tortillas in wet paper towels and set aside.
• Dip cod in the batter mix; fry coated cod in batches in the hot oil until cod is cooked through and coating is brown, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove cod with a slotted spoon and drain on a paper towel-lined plate.
• Microwave corn tortillas on high until warmed, about 1 minute.
• Stack two tortillas on a plate; top with fish, a sprinkle of Mexican cheese, coleslaw mixture, salsa fresca, and a squeeze from lime wedge. Drizzle with chile-garlic sauce. Repeat with remaining ingredients.

CLASSIC ENSENADA FISH TACO

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the batter. Finely chop the garlic, sprinkle generously with salt, then mash back and forth with the side of your knife across your cutting board until crushed to a puree. Scrape into a medium bowl and add the oregano, black pepper, mustard, base or bouillon, beer or water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Add the flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients and whisk just until combined. 2. Fry the fish. Heat the oil in a heavy skillet to 370 degrees. While the oil is heating, cut the fish into pieces about 3 inches long by 1/2 inch square. Use a pair of tongs to pick up a piece of fish, dip it completely into the batter, and lay it into the oil. Continue with a few more pieces of fish, filling the hot oil with an uncrowded layer. Fry, turning the pieces regularly, until deep golden and crisp, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towel and keep warm in a low oven on a wire rack set over a sheet pan while you fry the rest of the fish. 3. Serve. Mix together the mayonnaise, sour cream and milk. Set out with the cabbage, salsa, warm corn tortillas, limes and the crispy fish for everyone to make tacos.

CLASSIC BAJA-STYLE FISH TACOS

Steps:

• Make the Batter:.
• Combine beer, flour, salt, garlic powder, dry mustard, oregano and pepper in a blender and blend until smooth, about 20 seconds.
• Transfer to a bowl and let stand, covered for 1 hour.
• Make the Sauce:.
• Stir together mayonnaise, yogurt, mustard, chipotle and salt in a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate.
• Fry the Fish:.
• Put a rack in middle of oven and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Heat 2 inches oil in a 4 quart deep heavy saucepan until it registers 350°F on thermometer.
• Put flour in pie plate or shallow dish. Dredge 10 fish strips in flour, shake off excess, then coat in batter, letting excess drip off, and carefully drop in hot oil.
• Fry, stirring, until PALE golden, 2 or 3 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper towel to drain.
• Repeat with the remaining fish (returning oil to 350 °F between batches).
• Set pan of oil aside.
• Heat the Tortillas and Refry The Fish:.
• Wrap tortillas in stacks of 6 in foil and heat in oven until hot, 12 to 15 minutes. Remove tortillas from foil and re-wrap in a kitchen towel to keep warm.
• Meanwhile, reheat oil until it registers 375 degrees. Refry fish strips in batches of 10, stirring, until golden brown, 1 or 2 minutes.
• With a slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain again.
• To Serve:.
• Stack two corn tortillas together, top with fish, cabbage, sauce and cilantro.
• Serve with lime and salsa on the side.