To eat is a necessity, but to eat intelligently is an art … Check This Amazing Recipe: Baja-style fish tacos

How to Make Baja-style fish tacos

Preparation time:

less than 30 mins

Cooking time:

less than 10 mins

Serves:

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 150g/5½oz white fish fillet (such as pollock
• vegetable oil
• fresh coriander

For the tortilla dough

• 75g/2⅔oz plain flour
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 30ml/2 tbsp very hot water
• salt

For the batter

• 50g/1¾oz plain flour
• 25g/1oz cornflour
• ¼ tsp ground cumin
• 80ml/2¾fl oz lager

For the salsa

• 1 plum tomato
• ¼ red onion
• ½ red chilli
• small handful fresh coriander
• ½ lime

For the avocado crema

• 1 very ripe avocado
• 2 tbsp mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp soured cream
• 1 lime
• freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. To make the tortilla dough, put the flour and a pinch of salt in a large bowl, make a well in the centre and add the oil, followed by the hot water. Work the water into the flour using a fork until incorporated, then use your hands to bring the dough together.

2. Transfer the dough to a work surface and knead firmly for about 5 minutes until it feels soft. Divide into four equal pieces, roll into balls, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rest while you make the salsa and avocado crema.

3. To make the salsa, mix the tomato, red onion, chilli and coriander in a bowl, squeeze over the lime juice and season with salt to taste.

4. To make the avocado crema, halve the avocado and scoop the flesh into a blender. Add the mayonnaise, soured cream and lime juice, with a pinch of salt. Blend until smooth, adjust the seasoning to taste and set aside.

5. Preheat a deep-fat fryer to 180C. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)

6. To make the batter, sift the flours into a large bowl, then add the cumin and a pinch of salt. Whisk the lager into the flour until smooth. Set aside while you cook the tortillas.

7. Heat a large frying pan over a medium–high heat. On a lightly floured surface, roll out each ball of dough to a thin disc, roughly 10cm/4in in diameter. Dry-fry the tortillas for 20–30 seconds on each side, flipping once. The tortillas should remain soft and pliable. Wrap them in a clean tea towel to keep them warm while you fry the fish.

8. Dip the fish strips in the batter to coat evenly, then let the excess batter drip off before gently placing the fish into the hot oil. Cook for about 2 minutes – in batches if necessary – until the batter is crisp and the fish cooked through. Drain on kitchen paper.

9. Place a little avocado crema on each tortilla, add two pieces of fish and top with a further spoonful of crema, some salsa and fresh coriander.