Spicy Fish Tacos

These are the fish tacos of my dreams: a combo of spicy seared fish and zippy slaw tucked into a corn tortilla and drizzled with creamy sauce.

Spicy Fish Tacos

Sauce:
1-½ tablespoons light sour cream
1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
1-½ teaspoons lime juice
½ teaspoon red wine vinegar
Sea salt, to taste

Spice Mix:
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons hot paprika
2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Remaining ingredients:
2 (6-ounce) white fish fillets (catfish, halibut and long-line caught swordfish all work great, but you can use any firm, white fish)
2 tablespoons Spice Mix
1 tablespoon canola oil
1 tablespoon butter
8 small corn tortillas
2 cups Essential Coleslaw
¼ cup cilantro, or 8 sprigs
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

In a small bowl, whisk together Sauce ingredients and set aside.

Combine all Spice Mix ingredients in a small bowl (extra spice mix can be kept, tightly sealed, for up to 3 months). Rub each side of fillets with Spice Mix. Heat oil and butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fillets and cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove to a plate and tent with foil.

Have a 16-inch square of foil ready by the stove. Heat 2 tortillas in a large, stainless steel skillet over medium-high heat for 60-90 seconds per side, until slightly blistered. When cooked, wrap them (together) in the foil. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

When tortillas are ready, place two on each plate. Divide fish, slaw and cilantro between the tortillas. Spritz with lime and drizzle with Sauce.

Serves 4

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greek-chicken-salad

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These tartines (open-faced sandwiches) have become a staple in our house … in fact, they were our Christmas morning brunch this year. The cool thing is, they come together in about five minutes if you have some braised kale on hand; 15 or so if you’re starting from scratch.

kale-feta-tartines

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Pear and Goat Cheese Sandwich with Toasted Walnuts

This is inspired by my favorite vegetarian sandwich at Chez Lulu, a cafe and bakery in Birmingham, Alabama. I love the combo of thinly sliced sweet pear with pungent goat cheese, lightly dressed greens and toasted nuts. I used a plain version of our Knead-less Olive-Rosemary Bread, but any type of whole grain bread will do the trick.

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Cold Salmon Sandwich with Lemon-Caper Mayo

Buy a little extra salmon the next time you’re fillet-shopping and cook it all up at once. The next day, pair the cold leftover fish with a hit of lemon-spiked mayo and briny capers for a fancy-looking salmon sandwich that’s  perfect lunch for one.

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Honey-Roasted Fig Tartine with Prosciutto

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Tilapia Po’ Boys

A po’ boy is a New Orleans sandwich traditionally made with deep-fried oysters (another sustainable seafood pick) or shrimp. In N’awlins’ lingo, these po’ boys are served “dressed” with lettuce, tomato and seasoned mayo. Look for U.S. farmed tilapia, as the most sustainable choice; otherwise, substitute domestically raised catfish.

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