Gift of Simplicity: Fish Tacos, California-Style

Fish Tacos, California Style

(Please don't let the length of this recipe hinder you from making it--this really is quite simple)

Pickled Onions
1/2 Red Onion, sliced thin
1 Jalapeno chili, stemmed, seeded, and sliced into thin rings
1/2 Cup White Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
1-1/2 teaspoons Sugar
1/2  teaspoon Salt

Cabbage
1-1/2 Cups  shredded Green Cabbage
2 Tablespoons Pickling Liquid from the pickled Onions
1/4 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper

White Sauce
1/4 Cup  Mayo
1/4 Cup Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Lime Juice
1 Tablespoon Milk, as needed to thin to desired consistency

Fish
2 pounds skinless Whitefish fillets, such as Cod, Haddock, or Halibut, cut into 4-inch x 1-inch strips
Salt
Pepper
3/4 Cup Flour
1/4 Cup Cornstarch
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1 Cup Beer
4 Cups Peanut or Vegetable Oil
24 6-inch Corn Tortillas, warmed
1 Cup Fresh Cilantro leaves
Jarred Green Salsa, if desired

For the Pickled Onion:
Combine Onion and Jalapenos in a smallish bowl. Bring remaining ingredients to a boil in a small saucepan; pour over Onions and Jalapenos; let sit for at least 30 minutes. Can be prepared up to 2 days ahead and refrigerated.

For the Cabbage:
Toss all ingredients together in a bowl; refrigerate until ready to use.

For the White Sauce:
Whisk all together in a bowl; refrigerate until ready to use.
(See, I told you this was simple!)

For the Fish:

Adjust oven rack to middle position; preheat to 200*. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and set aside. Pat Fish dry with paper towels and season with Salt and Pepper. Whisk together dry ingredients in a medium bowl; add Beer and whisk until smooth. Add Fish to the batter and toss until evenly coated.

Add the Oil to a large, deep pot until it measures about 3/4-inch deep and heat over medium-high heat to 350*. Working with 5 to 6 pieces of Fish at a time, remove Fish from Batter, allowing excess to drip back into bowl, and add to hot Oil, briefly dragging along surface to prevent from sticking. Fry Fish, stirring gently to prevent from sticking (use a wooden spoon here, so you don't burn yourself), until golden brown and crispy, about 2 minutes per side. Keep an eye on your oil temperature, adjusting heat as necessary, to maintain temperature at 325-350*. Transfer fried Fish to the prepared wire rack and keep warm in the oven as you fry the remaining Fish. Serve with Pickled Onion, Cabbage, White Sauce, Green Salsa, and Cilantro on warm Tortillas. Serves 6.

"When (the disciples) got out on land,

they saw a fire of coals there and fish lying on it cooking,

and bread...

Jesus said to them, 'Come and have breakfast...'

and Jesus came, and took bread and gave it to them,

and also the fish."

John 21: 9,12, 13 Amplified Bible