Beer-Battered Fish Tacos

Main Course

Recipe courtesy of Louisiana Kitchen & Culture magazine

Makes 8 tacos

Ingredients: 
  • oil for frying
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour (or corn flour if you have it)
  • 1 tablespoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 teaspoon cumin, toasted if time permits
  • cayenne pepper to taste
  • 1 pound firm white fish fillets, cut into strips
  • 1 cup dark beer
  • corn or flour tortillas, warmed

Crunchy Coleslaw Topping

  • 2 cups shredded cabbage
  • 1 cup shredded carrot
  • 1 bunch green onions, tops sliced, bottoms minced
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 teaspoons honey
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • minced hot pepper to taste
  • salt and pepper to taste

Salsa Fresca

  • 2 cups finely chopped ripe tomato
  • 1 cup finely chopped white onion
  • ½ cup chopped cilantro
  • 2 teaspoons minced garlic
  • minced hot pepper to taste
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • salt and black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a non-reactive bowl and set aside for 10 minutes; taste and adjust seasoning.

Simple Guacamole: mash ripe avocados with a bit of minced cilantro, lime juice, and hot sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. 

For an Americanized version, mash avocados with the Salsa Fresca

Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos

Click image to enlarge

Method: 

Pour oil to a depth of 2 inches in a deep, heavy skillet or Dutch oven, clip a candy thermometer to the side, and set it over medium-high heat. Watch it while you prep the fish; you want it at about 350ºF.

Preheat oven to 200ºF. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels and top towels with wire cooling racks; place in the oven.

Whisk together flour, salt, pepper, oregano, cumin, and cayenne pepper; dampen a fingertip and dip it into the seasoned flour, taste, and adjust. Slowly whisk beer into flour mixture, stirring until no lumps remain, and set it aside for 10 minutes.

Working in batches, dip fish strips into batter, allowing excess to drop back into bowl, and slip into hot oil. Fry, turning occasionally, until golden and crispy, about 3 minutes total. Drain on prepared baking sheet, keeping fish warm while frying remaining fish.

Serve hot, allowing guests to assemble as desired.


 

Louisiana Recipes Weekly



 

Every Thursday you'll receive new recipes, events & festivals and more. See archive