Ensenada-Style Fish Tacos | Recipeish | Gustus Vitae
- Yield: Serves 4.
- Time Estimate: around 40 minutes.
- Storage Notes: Best if enjoyed immediately.
- Difficulty: Easy.
With our base in East LA, we know a thing or two about fish tacos. These are fantastic, if messy: overloaded small tortillas bursting with a deeply satisfying mix of spicy, salty, crunchy, and citrusy all in one bite.
Ingredients
- 16 Small tortillas
- 2-3 Good size halibut steaks
- 1 Handful of cilantro
- 4 Limes
- 1/2 Head of purple cabbage
- 3 Tbs mayo
- 1 Avocado
- 2 Tbs Everything But The Taco Seasoning
- 2 Tbs Jalapeño Lime Ranch Seasoning
- 2 Tbs Mojito Marinade Seasoning
- 1-2 Large tomatoes
- 2 Small to medium papayas
- 1 Red onion
- 3 Eggs
- 2/3rds cup panko bread crumbs
- 2/3rds Cup flour
- 1 Tbs vegetable oil
- Slice halibut steaks lenghthwise into 4-5 strips per steak, and reserve.
- Peel papaya, and finely chop and combine with tomato, onion, Tbs of Mojito Marinade Seasoning, a finely diced handful of cilantro, and the juice of 2 limes. Reserve.
- Rinse cabbage, cut out the heart/stem, and finely slice into long slivers, combining with mayo. Reserve.
- Prep three bowls - one of flour, one with well mixed eggs, and the last with a panko & Everything But The Taco Seasoning mix. Dip each fish slice into the flour, then egg, and then panko, repeating to the last two steps again to double coat. Reserve - giving them a couple minutes to sit with the mix on them allows it to adhere better.
- Bring a wok or cast iron pan up to a high heat, and add in oil, before cooking off tortillas, 3-4 at a time, and reserving in a kitchen towel to keep warm. You're going for a bit of blistering and some brown spots - around 45 seconds per side is just fine.
- Arrange fish strips in an air fryer, and fry at 380 for 6 minutes, before flipping and frying a further 6.
- Place fish strips on warm tortillas, top with slaw, then spoon over papaya-tomato salsa, dust generously with Jalapeño Lime Ranch Seasoning for that final pop of bright, spicy flavor, and with serve a garnish of lime slices.