Ensenada Fish Tacos Baja Style 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.

THE BEST BAJA FISH TACOS WITH BAJA CREAM SAUCE

Steps:

• Cut the fish into 3 inch X 1/2 inch pieces, about the size of a middle finger. Set aside.
• In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch and baking powder with the yellow mustard and 8 ounces of beer. Add more beer 1 tablespoon at a time until the batter is the consistency of pancake batter. Press out any clumps with the back of a spoon.
• Heat the oil to 350°-375°F, using a candy or frying thermometer to monitor the temperature. Line a plate with paper towels.
• One at a time, dredge each piece of fish in the batter, fully coating each piece and shaking off the excess, then gently sliding each filet into the hot oil. Work in batches to not overcrowd the pot. Use a splatter guard or place a lid half way over the pot to avoid oil splashes. Turn the pieces of fish in the oil and cook for 5-7 minutes or until they are golden on all sides. Transfer to the paper towel lined plate and repeat with the remaining fish pieces.
• While the fish is cooking, mix the Mexican crema, mayonnaise, the juice of 1 lime and 1-2 pinches of kosher salt in a small bowl. Transfer to a squeeze bottle if desired and set aside.
• Heat a dry, non-stick skillet over medium high heat and warm the tortillas on both sides. In batches, dunk the drained fried fish back into the hot oil and cook for 30 seconds until warmed through and crisped on the outside.
• Stack two tortillas together then add some cabbage and a few spoonfuls of pico de gallo and top with a pice of fish. Drizzle with the white cream sauce and a squeeze of lime. Serve immediately.

CALI-BAJA FISH TACOS

Steps:

• In the bowl of a standing mixer, set with the paddle attachment, beat the egg whites at medium speed until stiff, but not dry, peaks form. Remove the bowl from the mixer.
• In another bowl, combine the all-purpose flour with the salt and cumin and whisk in the Mexican beer. In 4 additions, gently fold the flour mixture into the egg whites, taking care not to deflate the egg whites.
• Pour the oil into a heavy, wide skillet or casserole to a depth of ¼" and heat over medium heat for at least 5 minutes. Test the heat by dipping a wooden spoon or the tip of a piece of fish into the oil: it should bubble happily around whatever you introduce into it. Set a cooling rack on a baking sheet and cover the rack with paper towels. If you don't have a cooling rack, just cover the baking sheet with paper towels.
• While the oil is heating, you can season and flour the fish strips. Season them lightly with salt and pepper. Place flour on a plate, and gently press each fish strip into the flour, flip over and flour the other side. Tap off excess flour and place on the rack.
• When the oil is hot, one by one, dip the floured fish strips into the batter and immediately, but gently, place into the hot oil. Add as many as you can without crowding the pan. Fry until crisp and lightly golden brown, which should take 2 to 3 minutes; then flip and fry on the other side, for another 2 to 3 minutes or until crisp and lightly golden.
• Remove with tongs - the type with the heat-proof coating on the ends are best, if you want to avoid tearing the batter - or a slotted spoon and place on the paper towel-covered rack. Cover loosely with foil to keep warm. Serve on a flour tortilla with salsa macha and creamy slaw. Optional, pickled red onion and a jalapeño marinated in fresh squeezed lime juice and salt to taste.

BAJA STYLE FISH TACOS

Steps:

• For the Beer Batter:
• Mix the flour, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Gradually add in the beer while whisking. Set aside and let the batter rest for 15 minutes before using.
• For Cream Sauce:
• Add the mayonnaise and crema to a medium bowl. Whisk in the lemon zest, lemon juice and water. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper (can be made 3 days ahead, covered and refrigerated).
• For the Fish:
• In a large skillet, over medium heat, add enough oil to reach a depth of 1-inch. Heat the oil until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F or when the end of a wooden spoon sizzles when inserted into the oil.
• On a large plate, combine the flour and salt. Season the fish pieces all over with salt and pepper and coat with the flour. Working in batches, dip the fillets in the beer batter and coat on both sides. Fry in the hot oil until golden brown and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Make tacos with the tortillas and fish and top each with cream, shredded cabbage, tomatillo salsa and pickled jalapenos, if desired.
• *Cook's Note: Crack open a cold Mexican cerveza like a Negra Modelo or a 2 Equis (XX) Amber to make this tasty beer batter, which will change the way you think about fried fish! You can use it for vegetables, too.
• **Cook's Note: Mexican Crema is Mexico's version of creme fraiche and is found at many supermarkets and can easily be substituted with sour cream.