I started out with “good intentions”.. I really did,
honest!
But that’s life isn’t it? We design the best-laid p
lans ever,
set off d
own one path and then we…
stray
♥
So, you ask, what’s my excuse today?
My mother always extolled that
“Necessit
y is the mother of invention.”
Pretty impressive, I couldn’t believe some of the crazy sayings she came up with!
(Um.. until I found out that they were actually Plato’s or Shakespeare’s words…)
I’m actually quite impressed th
at she had memorized so many
of these lines from Shakespeare.. and it certainly made growing up a little more quirky!
♥
Like this proverb we heard all the time…
“Waste not, want not.”
♥
But I digress…
I can try to put a good spin on it , but really, the quote I need to use today is:
“The road to hell
is paved with the best of intentions.”
♥
Once you’ve gone too far down that path.. it’s just too late to turn it around, I think!
♥
I’ve never been good at estimating how much to make for guests. (Ever since the debacle where I had too little food) I always seem to end up with a slovenly fridge chock-full of languishing, dubious left-over crammed, plastic containers. Let’s just say, there was a ton bit of fish left over from Saturday night to use up.
“Nothing more appetizing than rock-hard, day old, reheated cold fish for supper,”
I chirped enthusiastically.
Well, that went over “like a lead balloon”.. it was clearly time to take a bit of my mom’s recipe here (and change it because of missing ingredients).. and then a part of Hugh Carpenter’s recipe there... (and add to it) until, of necessity mind you, I had invented a new dish. I began with by making this pretty little, sort of healthy, Peach Salsa…
But.. this is where everything went straight “to hell in a handbasket…”
Let’s just say that the end-result, was a heart-thumping, flavor walloping, carb-laden and fried “Nom Nom Nom Fish Taco”… definitely a far cry from the sedate and “Healthy Shrimp Taco” recipe my mom had given me (sorry mom!)…
I had leftover halibut, not shrimp, and I really, really (did I say really?) wanted to try cooking it in a beer batter What’s not to love about beer? Which then led to a little frying. What’s wrong with a little smidgen of oil?
I can’t deny they were awesomely good.. but I also can’t say they were amazingly healthy. I’m just hoping my trainer isn’t reading this before class on Thursday… and it’s probably time for another lap or two around the park with the dog… (What? Lucky ate a bunch of it, too! Why should he be allowed to just laze around?)
Some things in life are a little “more-ish”, I think, and this recipe is one of them! It was a challenge to stop at one well, I couldn’t anyway. I also imagine that it would have been incredibly outstanding with fresh peaches.. but you know where I live so that’s not gonna happen for a few months!
Did I tell you the beer batter was so much fun (isn’t making anything with beer fun)? It was a little tricky.. cooked fish breaks apart a little easier, but you just have to get your hands a little messy…and coated in sticky batter. And.. if you insist on a healthier version, I guess you could just warm up the fish and skip the frying part well, you’re just no fun!!
Better still.. head on over to Rufus’ Food and Spirits Guide and check out their healthy avocado and cucumber tacos!! Or visit Geni at Sweet and Crumby, she’s got some awesome healthy mango topped tacos with avocado crema topping.. Yay, Tacos!!
Nom Nom Nom Fish Tacos
- 1 to 1 1/2 cup or 1/2 (28 fl oz) tin of yellow clingstone peaches,
- packed in pear juice, diced
- 1/2 shallot, finely minced
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tbsp light soy sauce
- 1/2 tsp Asian chile sauce
- 2 tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 egg
- 1 cup beer
- 1-2 large cooked fish fillets (trout, halibut, etc)
- olive oil
- Salsa to serve
- tortillas
- Combine diced peaches with the remaining ingredients. Stir to mix thoroughly.
- Measure out all-purpose flour together with the cornstarch, baking powder and salt. Stir with a fork to blend. Whisk one egg and add it to the cup of beer, stirring to mix.
- Quickly add the beer mixture to the flour mixture, stirring to blend. This will be a lumpy batter.
- Meanwhile, place a cast-iron or non-stick skillet over medium-high heat and coat the bottom generously with oil.
- Break a generous piece of cooked fillet away from the skin, dust lightly with flour then dip in the beer batter. (using tongs or fingers)
- Lay in the hot oil, turning over once each side is lightly browned and cooked.
- Repeat for the remaining pieces of fish.
- Warm your tortilla on a dry skillet or in the microwave for a few seconds only. Place the battered, cooked fish in the center. Top with the peach salsa and green tomato salsa. Fold up the bottom, then the sides.
- Repeat for remaining pieces of cooked fish.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- juice of one lime
- 1 1/2 tbsp cilantro, diced
- 1 - 2 chipotle peppers coated with adobo sauce, to taste
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
- avocado
- scallions, chopped
- monterey jack cheese, grated
- Combine all ingredients together from the mayonnaise to the pepper and adjust the level of heat by adding more chipotle peppers as desired.
- Top fish taco with sauces, avocado, scallions and monterey jack cheese.
- 1/2 cup mayonnaise
- juice of one lime
- 1 1/2 tbsp cilantro, diced
- 1 - 2 chipotle peppers coated with adobo sauce, to taste
- 1 tbsp minced ginger
- 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/8 tsp salt
- pepper to taste
- 2 cups plain cole slaw salad mixture
- Optional
- avocado
- scallions, chopped
- monterey jack cheese, grated
- Combine all ingredients together from the mayonnaise to the pepper and adjust the level of heat by adding more chipotle peppers as desired. Stir in 2 cups cole slaw mixture and adjust seasonings.
- Top fish taco with peach salsa, chipotle lime cole slaw, avocado, scallions and monterey jack cheese.
3.4.3177
- 2 Tilapia Fish Filets
- 1/3 cup flour
- 1 egg, lightly beaten with fork
- 3/4 cup Panko Bread Crumbs
- oil
- Rinse and pat dry your fish filets.
- Put the flour in one dish, egg in another and the Panko Crumbs in a third bowl.
- Heat a small amount of oil on medium high in your frying pan.
- Dip each filet in the flour, then the beaten egg and finally the Panko Crumbs to coat. Lay the filets into the heated oil, cover and cook until browned then flip and brown the other side.
- Serve with Peach Salsa and Cole Slaw mixture.
Oh hot diggity dog!!!!! Two of my fave things to eat – fish tacos and salsa, especially the salsa! Happy happy joy joy 🙂
Hahaha.. happy joy to you:) xoxo
Wonderful … for me next week. Always use beer in my batter too – but I use rice corn – so it get that tempura thinness – looking real good. Thought you where going to put the fish into taco’s – hate them !!!! Tortillas goes down with me. Check out my fish & chips – or us. Have done tons in my life – http://wp.me/p293Pw-WY – thanks for this.
Oh dear.. We call these tacos at home.. I guess they are tortillas?! Lol!
didn’t try to be smart … *smile When I read taco’s – better have a look .. very happy when I saw that it was tortillas. Does it have to be cooked fish????
I’d try raw.. but maybe thin so it cooks through faster?? without overly browning the outside… A deep fryer would solve all of this, wouldn’t it? I just can’t bring myself to buying one.. I’d be tempted to bring it out all the time!!!
Have a fryer don’t use it very often, but it makes life easier when I use it. Very old and simple model, but it does the business. Forgotten to ask you what the green sauce is .. in the little bowl is.
I LOVE fish tacos! We haven’t had them in a while, so I must rectify that. I make a salsa similar to yours with cubes of mango and thinly sliced fresh red chillis sprinkled with a good squeeze of lemon (or lime) juice. As you say, Nom, nom. 😀
Now mango and chili’s sounds like the Hugh Carpenter one I modified. I’ll post it some day and we can compare notes:)
I just searched Misk Cooks, and I can’t believe that I haven’t posted my mango salsa recipe. I’ll have to wait for some good mangos to appear in the shop though.
This is a great idea..I’ve done both but honestly hadn’t put them together. Maybe some lime for garnish? And is that a tomatillo salsa too?
I believe it is.. that’s why it’s green, but I’ll double check:) I think lime should have been there.. absolutely, that’s a great idea!
This looks sinfully delicious! Nothing wrong with a good ol’ beer batter fried fish every now and again. Life is too short after all. 🙂 My mom used to always say waste not, want not too. LOL. I’m loving the peach salsa. Would you believe I actually just took some peaches out of the freezer to make a salsa today?! And I have to say I just always love your staging – the different plates that you use and showcase are so fun and gorgeous!
Too funny.. must have been the thing to say for our parents! Along with the “starving children” admonishment!! Peaches.. were they fresh frozen?? If so.. I’m totally jealous!!
I had fish tacos yesterday, but at a restaurant, and they were made with grilled fish – I bet yours were MUCH MUCH better, and if you had to go for an extra lap around the park, no harm done!
Oh, my goodness.. my trainer made us do much more than a lap!! I have a heating pad on as we speak.. er, type!
🙂
it’s wonderful to have a trainer who pushes us beyond the comfy zone… even if it makes us feel a bit miserable for a couple of days…
Hope you are feeling better now, and ready for MORE!
We love fish tacos and go to Rubio’s in Denver every chance we get. Peach salsa would be great over grilled fish this summer too–I am so ready for the farmers markets to start up again!
I’m going to remember that.. we do grill fish a ton in the summer out at the lake, this would be good.. with fresh peaches by then:)
Oh my dear Barbara, you did again, they seem so beautiful and makes me to eat all of them… Thank you, with my love, nia
You’re welcome, nia:)
Yum…they are my favorite…but might need to stick with the salsa right now as I’m trying to lose a few pounds…will keep it in mind for a special treat…:)
I think you’d best then.. maybe grilled fish with the salsa:)
These look so delicious Barbara, the colours of the salsa is really offset by the amazing bowls you presented it in. So colourful!
Thanks, Rhoda.. I’ve used those bowls over and over on my blog.. they must be the right colors for lots of different food!
Those pictures!! Stunning!! I really have to make the peach salsa, pronto. You’re right, it would be perfect with a few tortilla chips. It looks amazing Smidge. Don’t tell anyone, but I’ve never had fish tacos. I know! Insane, right? Yours look and sound delicious though.
Your Mom sounds like my kind of gal! I love that she’s memorized those great quotes that we all look for these days.
Have a wonderful Thursday dear! xoxo
I hadn’t had fish tacos for ages and finally did about 3 months ago. I don’t know why I was reluctant, I think it just didn’t seem “right” to have fish in a taco, lol! But once I tried them.. I love them now. Grilled is definitely the way most restaurants serve them.. much healthier;) Yup, my mom is awesome:) Aren’t all our moms? xoxxo
Nom nom! I love that expression (it’s a new one for me 🙂 ) and yes to beer batter, fish, and oh for a fresh summer peach, the scent of summer!!!
Hahaha, it’s a teenaged boy sort of expression!! Ahhh… beer at the lake, now I’m dreaming again!
“Healthy” is about the experience too, not just about the ingredients (but you know this)… and I bet your trainer asked for the recipe.
You’re absolutely correct, how could I have forgotten!!!
You got me good, Barb. I do love a good fish taco and I was duly impressed with your use of left-over halibut. They really do sound delicious. BUT, that peach salsa actually has me salivating. I’ll make it now and I’ll make it again when fresh peaches are in season. Best of all, I’ll make it next Winter when I need a little bit o’ Summer to cheer me up. Thanks for sharing 2 great recipes!
I’m glad I got you today.. I’d love to see your peach salsa.. it would be amazing. I made a lemon chicken today and wondered if you’ve made and blogged Lemon Piccata yet.. I saw it and thought of you..
That’s super healthy (I would have deep fried those little fishy suckers without a second’s thought!!!!)
I agree!! So there!!
OOO fish tacos. Always a favorite. I like to make beer batter with Red Hook Ale. Great way to add flavor to boring tilapia fish. Love the quotes. Very nice and enjoyable post!
Now.. I think you’re right, different beer would add new dimensions of flavor.. I’ll remember that for next time!!
I think I’m more excited about the peach salsa than the tacos….and yum! How great do those look!
It is good.. especially with the extra bit of heat in it!
Your battered fish looks incredibly fluffy and crispy, Smidge; and the photos are lovely as usual. The peach salsa is a wonderful twist to the traditional accompanyment to this type of taco. I also love that you used soft tortilla shells to offset the deep fried fish. Nice one.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com
PS. For a couple of weeks now, I’ve noticed that wordpress forces you to use your account when commenting on another WP user blog; by doing this it no longer links to my blog, which is annoying. So until I decide to spend the $24 to make my domain name my own, I shall have to sign like I did above. Grrrrrrrr.
That’s not happening to me?? I have my own domain name, though.. Your photo, etc are showing as if you’d signed in?? I know if I log out I click on a little WordPress icon and it lets me sign in before I comment. But never a problem within wordpress once I’ve signed in? Is it a money grab, do you think??
I sense that it is, Barbara, as I don’t own my domain name. I’ve been thinking about it though. Chgo John was kind enough to walk me through with some help, but we did discover that it is indeed the domain name. Perhaps wordpress will be $24 richer and I will be $24 dollars poorer this weekend.
Eva http://kitcheninspirations.wordpress.com
I didn’t think that many of us have our own domain name.. I did it because it was easier to tell people what my website was… Good luck! That seems like an unfair thing to do.. Doesn’t it?
Tortillas are the wrapping for tacos. You can make soft tacos with soft flour or corn tortillas or crisp tacos (usually made with corn tortillas). Your fish tacos with peach salsa look fabulous and tasty.
Thanks, Sharyn.. for clarifying this, I’ve not made much mexican food:)
What wonderful combinations. These really look good! And I’m going to say they’re still on the healthy list…if I could stop at one or two they’d be even better for me, but I don’t think it would be all that often we’d have a lot of halibut on hand. So go for it when you can! The salsa is really special, too, and I think when fresh peaches arrive this would be a crowd pleaser! I love all the quotes from your mom (or Plato/Shakespeare…). Debra
Two seemed to be enough.. probably because I piled so much salsa on, lol! They were filling then! Glad you liked the quotes!
I ADORE this combination, Smidge. It’s really rather wonderful. Peach or mango salads always look rather incredible too.
I totally meant salsa…
🙂 But I bet salads are awesome as well..
Fish tacos are one of my most favorite things!! I love your flavor combinations here too.
I’m glad you like it:)
Nom Nom Nom … hmmm.. sorry, I can’t speak with my mouth full! These are absolutely so delicous! You’re making me fat you know! hehehehe
Stunning photo’s, post and recipe! Thanks for sharing hon. 🙂
*big hugs*
Oh, Sonel.. what would my mom say if she saw you talking with your mouth full like that;) I’m trying to make you fat, Sonel!! jk!! *hugs* back!
hehehehe, she would most probably take the food away! LOL!
Yeah, I am picking up calories by the minute! hehehehehe
Have a great day hon!
*hugs*
While I’m sure the fish tacos were divine, I’m sorry I cannot sample them. More than happy to take your entire bowl of peach salsa with me and um… Go check something outside 😉
Gorgeous recipes and post my friend!
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Haha, your comment made me imagine a drive-through window.. and me handing you a little box filled with tacos and a container full of salsa and chips:) What would that restaurant be called, I wonder?? Lol!
Nom Nom Nom indeed dear Smidge! Scrumptious!
🙂 Mandy
Thanks, Mandy:) Nom Nom to you too:)
Beer battered halibut is my favorite!! We get lots of fresh halibut around here – and rarely go the battered way since it’s not so good for you, but when we do, I am in heaven!! I love the idea of pairing it with some peach salsa, too.
We always order battered halibut when we go out for fish and chips too:) My favorite fish!
Your original recipes are always the BEST Smidge. And your leftovers seem a lot more interesting than mine. What a gorgeous looking peach salsa. And of course everything is better coated in beer batter. Lovely how the dog was able to dine on this feast too. And this combination must have been incredible all bound up in a taco – I hope your kids told you how wonderful you are! xx
Trust me.. they’re usually not, just feeling awfully frugal these days, not sure what’s got into me! But I can’t stand throwing out a great meal two days later!! And.. the kids did:) Thanks!! xoxo
Into every life a little fried goodies must fall…and your tacos look like they were worth the calories, Smidge! I’m the same way about over cooking for company and live in fear of not having enough food when folks come over. Your solution to leftovers looks delicious.
I love that.. it’s a wee poem, I think!
Now I am salivating just think about fish in beer batter – yummy.
Ooops, sorry about that!!
Nom Nom Nom indeed! What a glorious mix of flavours! Food for the eyes AND the tastebuds! 🙂
Thanks Celia.. I loved photographing it.. bright colors in food are always so much easier!!
Hi Barbara!
Everything looks delicious. I have to try that peach salsa… Yummy! 🙂
Thank you!! I hope you do some day!
I’m not a fish taco kind of guy, but you make them sound appealing. Good job!
I wasn’t before either.. but now, well, it’s the darn beer batter that I crave I think:)
THAT’s what leftovers look like at YOUR house, Smidge??? I hope my guy never learns of that! You put the rest of us to shame, tsk tsk tsk, and nom nom nom!! 😉
(ps…must have your peach salsa! Come summer come!) xox
Shhh.. don’t let GGP see this one then. But.. left-overs generally are, well, just left-overs. I had just spent so much on the halibut I really had to do something about it!! So no need to tsk tsk.. the reality here is probably much like the reality there:) xoxoxo
This makes me long for fresh peaches, just not the heat that comes with them. (Yes, I saw you used tin.) We had fish tacos just the other day and so did Geni. We all must have been on the same foodlength. Your recipe is great. So are the photos.
How did I miss these.. I’ll add a link:) We must be longing for comfort food these days! I can’t wait for fresh peaches.. the heat we get is nothing like yours.. it’s just, well, probably like one of your cooler days!
Peach salsa? YES please! I started adding fruits in my homemade salsa last year, and I absolutely love it… the tacos also look so mouth-watering B!!
Now you’ve got me thinking about other fruit salsa combinations:)
This recipe sounds great, especially the peach salsa. What a lovely counterpoint to the deep fried fish. Don’t you love these little cooking projects that just take on a life of their own, leaving you to follow in their wake (with a big mess to clean up afterwards?
Trust me.. I had a big mess after this one!! Batter and splatter everywhere, but I think it added to the enjoyment somehow!! Lol!
A smidge of oil never hurt anyone 🙂 I’ve been craving pub food like crazy the past few days and now all I can think of is fish and chips hehehehe. I like the peach salsa, much cheaper than mango and just as tasty! ~Ruth
Now.. you’ve got ME thinking about the pub.. tomorrow’s Friday, right??!! Yay!!
Barb you have just made me crave fish tacos so badly…
I love them and now I am thinking why it has been so long since I have had them????
I love the peach salsa… You know costco used to carry peach salsa, I really liked it… But this is far far better so delicious and fresh and homemade…Yum….
This is a kind of food which can make anyone happy … ANYTIME!!!
Costco?? Maybe we need to make our own and market it to them:) Glad you enjoyed this post today!! Have a happy day!
I just love this post! Nom nom indeed 🙂
Thanks:)
Nom! Nom! Nom! and Yum! Yum! Yum! Sidge these fish tacos are a winner all the way. And with that salsa… Absolutely droolsome 🙂
You’re so cute.. yum, yum, yum I’ll have to write up a post using that one! Lol!
😉
Ooh these are clearly popular – it took me ages to get right down here to leave a comment! Can you believe I have never eaten a fish taco?! Shame on me and I need to sort that out soon. And nothing wrong with frying every so often…will have to wait a while for peaches here but in the meantime I could adapt. And I am sure Big Man would be happy to finish off any beer left over from making the batter 😉
It took me ages as well:) Worth the wait sometimes to have new surprises in life.. Yes.. the leftover beer was delicious and perfectly compatible with the dish;)
Yours look positively decadent Smidge! Frying was truly brilliant with your leftovers to wake ’em up and make them stand up tall. I think the four of us should have a fish taco party. Greg and Katherine can bring one of their amazing drinks too. You and I can add some dessert to the taco party. Thank you so much for the very sweet mention. It is truly appreciated. I am behind on my blog reading. Spent 5 hours on the freeway yesterday getting from L.A. to San Diego and back again. Need coffee.
Yay! Taco Party! I wonder if they would make their Drunken Pinto’s for us:) Glad to link up.. yours are the healthier version by far! And so pretty! What an awful flight.. why such a long delay??
I usually grill my fish for fish tacos, but using this batter sounds delicious. Great idea!
I will have to try the grilled version soon:)
[…] We then tossed everything together, seasoned it with salt and a bit of agave. Once combined, we covered it and set in the fridge to marinate overnight. (For another delicious peach salsa recipe, make sure to check out Just a Smidgen’s here.) […]
My dad used to tell me that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. I never appreciated that too much! I LOVE fish tacos but have never made them…am I brave enough? cooking fish scares me. But…maybe…yes!
I think the fruit in the salsa equalled out the fat from the fried fish. Most certainly. I think you should make your self 2.
Hahaha.. Sounds like you and I have the same sort of “dietary” rules going on:)
I love fish tacos and these look AMAZING. 🙂