Tacos Two Ways

This recipe and photos were provided by Sally Roeckell of Table and Dish and were originally published at 365Barrington.com.

Is it even possible to drive by a taco truck without being happy that taco trucks exist? Fish tacos and shrimp tacos just might fight for the top spot on my list of favorite foods. Have you ever seen the meme that says “know the difference between needs and wants?” Well, I want to be skinny but I need tacos! Fish tacos and shrimp tacos are at least a bit healthier than pork or steak, right?  I’m going with this notion.

Today I’m using Heinen’s fresh, farm raised Rainforest Tilapia. It is perfect for these fish tacos. I’ve also made my own life a bit easier by buying their ready-cleaned, shelled and deveined shrimp. I like easy!

These are just the right mix of spicy, creamy, hot, cool, soft, crunchy and oh-so delicious!

You can make fish tacos with any firm white fish, but I really like Rainforest Tilapia. It’s slightly sweet and holds the batter perfectly.

It may seem like there are a lot of ingredients, but don’t be intimidated by the list. Most are common spices and, once you have everything out and ready, it all comes together super quick. We made both fish tacos and shrimp tacos today, but if you chose just one it would be even easier.

Fish Tacos

Ingredients

For the Fish Tacos

• 1 1/2 lbs. Rainforest Tilapia
• 15 small corn tortillas
• Vegetable oil

For the Fish taco Batter

• 1 cup flour
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 can soda (La Croix)
  Note: I use coconut La Croix because that’s what I usually have on hand. I’m not sure if it makes a huge flavor difference, but this batter is so very good I just always do it this way.

For the Garnish

• Shredded cabbage
• Avocados
• Salsa verde
• Lime juice
• Hot sauce
• Pico de Gallo
• 4 Roma tomatoes diced
• 1/2 large white onion, diced
• 1 cup cilantro leaves, minced
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• Salt to taste

For the Sauce

• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• Hot sauce to taste

Instructions

For the Sauce

1. Whisk the White Sauce ingredients together in a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate.

For the Pico de Gallo

1. Combine the Pico de Gallo ingredients together in a medium bowl, cover and refrigerate.

For the Tortillas

1. Heat a dry seasoned skillet over medium heat. Add tortilla and cook until its golden and starts to brown in spots, about 20 seconds, then flip and cook until other side is golden. The tortilla should still be soft and pliable, not crispy.

For the Fish

1. Mix all the batter ingredients together in a large bowl. Start with half of a can of soda and add to get to the consistency of pancake batter.
2. Slice fish into strips approximately 3/4” wide x 4″ long (they don’t have to be exact – err on the side of thinner). Pat fish very dry and add all of the fish to the batter and gently stir to coat.
3. Fill a 12-inch pan with about 1 inch deep oil and heat to 375 °F.
4. Working in batches, fry fish until golden, flipping halfway through. Place on paper bag or paper towels.

Assemble

1. Add fish to tortillas and top with shredded cabbage, Pico de Gallo, freshly squeezed lime juice and White Sauce. Drizzle with hot sauce/salsa to taste and garnish with avocados if desired.

Click Here to Print the Recipe for Fish Tacos

Shrimp Tacos

Ingredients

For the Shrimp Tacos

• 1 pound large or jumbo shrimp, peeled, deveined, and tails removed (fresh or frozen and thawed)
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil,  divided
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground chipotle chili
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 6 to 8 corn or flour tortillas
• Garnishes: avocados, cilantro, sour cream (or Greek yogurt), lime wedges

For the Slaw & Shrimp Taco Sauce

• 1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, peeled
• 1/2 small jalapeño, seeds and membranes removed
• 1/4 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Zest and juice of 1 large or 2 small limes, about 2 teaspoons zest and 3 tablespoons juice
• 2 cups shredded cabbage or slaw mix

Instructions

1. Rinse and pat the shrimp dry, then transfer to a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with 1/2 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with the chili powder, chipotle chili, cumin, and salt. Toss to coat evenly. Let rest while you prepare the shrimp taco sauce and slaw.
2. Prepare the sauce and slaw: In a food processor fitted with a steel blade, process the Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, jalapeño, cilantro, salt, lime zest, and lime juice. Or chop by hand and mix together. Taste and adjust seasonings as desired.
3. Place the cabbage in a mixing bowl and toss with about 1/2 cup of the sauce. Add more sauce if you desire a creamier slaw, then reserve the rest of the sauce for serving.
4. Cook the shrimp: In a large nonstick skillet over medium high, heat the remaining 1/2 tablespoon olive oil. Add the shrimp and sauté just until the shrimp is cooked through and no longer translucent in the center, about 4 minutes. Do not overcook! Transfer the shrimp immediately to a plate.
5. Warm the tortillas on a hot grill pan or heavy frying pan. To serve, fill the tortillas with your desired number of shrimp, then top generously with the slaw, extra sauce, a squeeze of lime juice, and any other desired toppings.
6. Enjoy immediately.

Click Here to Print the Recipe for Shrimp Tacos

By Heinen's Grocery Store

In 1929, Joe Heinen opened the doors of a small butcher shop on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, aiming to establish himself as the city’s purveyor of quality meats. As customers came into Heinen’s new shop for their meat purchases, they began asking him to carry groceries as well. Joe added homemade peanut butter, pickles and donuts and by 1933, business had grown enough to include a line of produce and canned goods. Heinen’s Grocery Store was born.