Summer vacation is in full swing here right now and I am enjoying every bit of it. I decided to give the little guy a short break from summer camps and classes, so he is home with me all the time. And while we drive each other crazy, we wouldn’t have it any other way.
I see many kids with busy schedules and almost feel guilty about Boy’s lack of planned activities. But when did it become the norm to fill the little ones’ days with swimming and music and soccer and umpteen other classes? So I convince myself it is really not a big deal.
I am so lucky to be able to stay home and look after him (and maintain this blog as well). Without school, the days are longer and lazier and funner… oops, I meant to say more fun! We laze around, pot and repot plants, walk to the library for story time, check out little cafes and restaurants on the way back and plot how to make daddy feel special on Father’s Day this weekend. It is a simple and satisfying life right now…. touch wood!
Much like these beauties right here. Tacos – who doesn’t love them? Anything tastes good wrapped in a taco. Especially if they are as delicious and crunchy as these fish right here.
I have always wanted to try fish fried in a beer batter. But since we are not really beer drinkers and since I didn’t want to buy a six-pack solely for this, I used regular club soda in the batter. Guys, if you have never tried it, please please do so at once. It really makes a difference. The basic principle when you use beer or soda is that the carbonation helps the covering turn so light and crunchy and stay that way for a long time as well. And I can vouch for that. See for yourself.
Now, do not announce beforehand to the family that you are frying fish. Not unless you have no other plans for the fish but to eat them as such straight from the pan. But if you are thinking of making tacos with them and said family starts popping those nuggets into their mouths, the tacos might not happen. I had to literally swat the guys away from the kitchen like flies. The tacos almost didn’t happen. But I successfully hid a batch of fried fish, quickly took pictures (again, maintaining the blog, you see), made the sauce and tacos.
The sauce is a real simple jalapeno and cilantro yogurt sauce. You could use sour cream for a thicker and richer sauce, but I love the lightness of yogurt. Then you can have more without the guilt. And maybe drink some straight from the bowl. Just saying, you know.
Make a quick pico de gallo, slice up some avocados and taco night is here, baby! Enjoy!!
CRISPY FISH TACOS WITH JALAPENO-CILANTRO YOGURT SAUCE
You will need: (Makes 8-10 tacos)
For the soda-battered fried fish,
- All-purpose flour – 1 cup
- Cornstarch – 2 tbsp
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Baking powder – 1 tsp
- Cayenne powder – 1 tsp (or lesser, if you do not like the spice)
- Seasoning powder – 1 tsp (optional, see notes the end of the recipe)
- Club soda – as needed, say around a cup or so
- Rice flour – 1/2 cup (for dredging the fish pieces)
- Fish – 1 lb (fillets of any kind of white-fleshed fish cut into small pieces)
- Oil – for frying
For the jalapeno-cilantro yogurt sauce,
- Jalapeno – 2, de-seeded
- Cilantro leaves – 1/4 cup, loosely packed
- Yogurt – 1 1/2 cups
- Salt – to taste
For the pico de gallo,
- Tomatoes – 2, chopped
- Onion – 1 small, chopped
- Jalapeno – 1, chopped
- Cilantro leaves – 1 tbsp, chopped
- Lime juice – from half a lime
- Salt – 1/2 tsp
- Freshly cracked black pepper – a large pinch
For the tacos,
- Corn or flour tortillas – 8-10, lightly toasted
- Fried fish
- Pico de gallo
- Jalapeno-cilantro sauce
- Avocado – 3, thinly sliced
- Fresh cilantro leaves – to garnish
How to:
- Crispy Fried Fish: Wash the fish fillets, pat dry and cut into small pieces. Set aside.
- In a bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, cayenne powder and seasoning. Gradually add club soda and mix well. Batter should be smooth and have a pancake batter consistency. Take the rice flour in another shallow dish as well.
- Heat oil in a wok or frying pan. Fish should be submerged at least halfway in the oil to crisp up properly. You can use a fryer if you want to.
- When the oil is hot (but not smoking), start the dredging, dipping and frying process. Lightly coat a piece of fish in the rice flour, dip in the batter to coat evenly and drop in the hot oil gently. Fry on both sides till lightly golden, a couple of minutes per side. You can fry as much fish as your pan will hold at a time. Remove fried fish onto a wire rack to cool ever so slightly before assembling the tacos.
- Jalapeno-Cilantro Yogurt Sauce: Blend all the ingredients together. Refrigerate sauce till needed. This can also be done a day in advance.
- Pico de Gallo: Toss all the ingredients together in a bowl and set aside.
- Crispy Fish Tacos: Assemble each taco with 2-3 pieces of fried fish, some pico de gallo, a few slices of avocado and some cilantro leaves. Generously drizzle the jalapeno-cilantro yogurt sauce on top. Fold the tacos and serve immediately.
Notes:
- You can add cayenne or paprika powder and your favorite seasoning/spice powder to the batter. I used the Burger Spice I received from HEB for this post. It is basically a blend of onion powder, garlic powder, oregano, black pepper and a few other things. You can use Italian seasoning or a pinch of your favorite flavors. This helps to add a little oomph to the batter, but feel free to leave it plain if that’s what you like. You can also add a lightly beaten egg to the batter. But I found the soda water to be enough to add the perfect crunch to the fried fish.
The best thing in these tacos is definitely the crunchy fried fish. The sauce is delicious as well and I loved the lightness of yogurt here. You can definitely use sour cream if you wish to. Or even buttermilk for a ranch inspired sauce. Go on and make some!
So tell me, what is your favorite taco filling? Have you tried fried fish tacos yet? Have you tried a beer/soda batter to fry fish or chicken? Do share.
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I am sharing this over at Angie’s amazing blog link party at The Novice Gardener.
Lynda Hardy says
Everything about this sounds amazing – I can’t wait to give this a try. I have really come to love fish tacos in recent years. If you’d like, please come share this with Awesome Life Friday: http://rchreviews.blogspot.com/
Tracy @ Served From Scratch says
Yum! I’ll take a plate, please!! These look absolutely amazing, Anjana!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, coming right up!!
Michelle @ Giraffes Can Bake says
Fish tacos are my favourite type of tacos and these ones look amazing! Gorgeous photos too
It sounds lovely have your son with you all summer, i think it’s okay to not jam pack his schedule with activities – it is supposed to be a break after all!
Thanks for sharing with us at Fiesta Friday!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
I love fish tacos too 🙂
Thanks for visiting!!
banglesandbungalows says
This looks oh so good! I am definitely going to try this. And the cilantro jalapeño sauce sounds like it go with a lot of other dishes too!
xx Yasmin
http://banglesandbungalows.com
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Yasmin. I hope you try it!!
cookingwithauntjuju.com says
These are some of the best looking fish tacos I have seen. I can see why your “boys” were popping them in their mouth – yum! Love the addition of avocado, pico de gallo, yogurt sauce and the star fried fish! Thanks for sharing with Fiesta Friday #73 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you! I am glad it was a winner!!
sarahjmir says
just pinned this! it never occurred to me to use club soda (I dont drink so I never buy any beer either). Will try this!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Club soda is all it takes!! Do give it a try 🙂
Jenny says
I’m glad you get to enjoy time with your son. They grow up so fast! I miss the summers when my kids were younger. 🙂 Now they are teens and pre-teens, but I still love spending time with them. Thank you for sharing your words and your recipe!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you so much, Jenny. Kids are kids no matter the age 🙂
nancyc says
Beautiful photos! 🙂
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, Nancy!!
Sujatha Arun says
I loved the presentation ! That cute little stars !!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you, found those at Target!
maggiemaysgifts says
These look so delicious! And your photos are beautiful!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you so much!!
storyofcooks says
You know what, whenever I eat out I order mostly two things – Cheese burger and fish taco! I love fish taco – Thanks for the recipe !
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
And I just posted those two recipes!! Maybe when you visit Texas, you should simply come over and I’ll make these again 😋
Ally B. Jones says
this looks amazing but I have an irrational fear of deep frying things. I have been stepping out of my comfort zone though. You knows one day I may start deep frying.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Please do!!
Liz says
So delicious. Thank you.
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you!!
masteringpersiancooking says
Yum so refreshing and yummy!
Anjana @ At The Corner Of Happy & Harried says
Thank you!!