Something Smells Like Fish…It’s My Taco! « What We’re Eating

Something Smells Like Fish…It’s My Taco!

Mmm... catfish tacos

Eater rating: 4.7 / 5

What do you get when you stick a couple of Louisianians in Southern California: Catfish Tacos! For dinner we’re eating tacos made with baked catfish seasoned with cumin and chile powder, finely shredded cabbage, diced avocado, a tangy white sauce, monteray jack, and whole cilantro leaves on soft white corn tortillas. A fresh coleslaw dressed with some of the tangy and slightly spicy “white sauce” accompanied the meal to round things out.

T: These were some of the best damn fish tacos I’ve ever had. They were outrageously good. Damn, girl.
A: preach it brotha! i thought they were pretty rocking myself. 🙂 i think the main key with fish tacos is to not over-cook the damn fish! and to season it properly, of course.
T: Cook it right and season it right. I’ll try to remember that. 😛
A: simple enough, huh? 😉

Good coleslaw

T: whatever you did to make that happen, it was a beautiful thing. I wonder if they would have been as good with some other kind of fish…
A: absolutely… as long as the fish is cooked well and seasoned well! we’re getting repetitive here, t-dog!
T: you’re getting repetitive, woman. Either way, the catfish was awesome. So was the cole slaw. I’m giving the tacos a rating of 4.78/5. The coleslaw wasn’t quite up to a 4.78, but it can coast by because of how amazing the tacos were.
A: coast by?!? i thought the coleslaw was great! it was zippy… it was tangy… it was way better than like… oh 99% of the coleslaws i’ve had in my day.
T: it was still just coleslaw, though.
A: who doesn’t love some good raw cabbage? you’re a freak if you say you don’t…. freak.
T: i didn’t say I don’t… you’re jumping to conclusions, missy. I do enjoy raw cabbage, but let’s get serious. It’s a lower level of food. If you would like I can lay out the hierarchy of foods, beginning with bacon…
A: please do.
T: Alright, it goes a little something like this:

 Bacon Cheese Gumbo Duck Curry FISH TACOS Cheeseburgers Pickles Sausage other other other other COLESLAW other other

It’s ok if you disagree with that, but you’re wrong if you do.
A: ooookay! we’ve established that you’re a freak. 😉 moving on! Well, i don’t rank coleslaw and other veggie goodness at the bottom of my food-goodness pyramid, so the coleslaw in this meal didn’t detract from my score at all. I give the meal overall a rating of 4.68/5. It was freaking good….all of it. i am soooo on an at-home taco kick right now. they are just so easy! and so tasty! and so quick! and… and… and….
T: and located one level above raw cabbage on the food pyramid. 🙂 I was just thinking… what do you think about making some homemade tortillas sometime?
A: heheheh remember the last time i tried to make tortillas?!? we ended up eating our carnitas on endive! but i think you’re right. i really should go after it again. i’ve learned some technique tips since then.
T: …. let’s make sure we have some endive.

A Sauce Recipe, by Amanda

Print Recipe

White Sauce (for fish tacos)

1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup mayonaise
1 tbsp dill pickle juice
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1/8 cup minced pickles
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 - 1 jalapeno, minced, (amount varies depending on how spicy you like it)
kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper

To a medium-sized bowl, add first four ingredients. Whisk until smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients. Season to taste with kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper. Allow sauce to sit for at least 20 minutes for the flavors to fully marry. Great on tons of stuff including fish tacos and as a dressing for coleslaw. Enjoy!

Tags: fish, mexican, Sea, tacos
Posted in: Recipes, Sea |

18 comments so far:

leena! says:
December 4, 2007 at 8:48 pm
Tyler, you are my new favorite on this blog with that food pyramid. Bacon belongs at the top of ANY proper food pyramid. Thanks for rocking so hard.
Amanda…you could learn a thing or two from that man of yours…maybe start by putting bacon in the coleslaw and see where it goes from there. Just a thought.
cheila says:
December 4, 2007 at 9:25 pm
this post just made me salivate right after eating dinner. that’s some epicurean charm yalls.
Bobby says:
December 4, 2007 at 11:03 pm
I work with someone who does not know, or is not sure what panko is.
See Also
36 Tried-and-True 13x9 Recipes for Casseroles, Strata and Bakes Two Appetizer Recipes – AIP/Paleo 36 Cucumber Recipes to Make This Summer White Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chili Sour Cream Sauce Recipe
Amanda, keeps things in perspective. I would not put much credence in food opinions of someone who eats the same thing everyday, or even almost everyday, for lunch, as well as having a Latino drag name.
One more week until Kraut is ready. Guess what your getting for Christmas? as long as something doesn’t happen and it spoils, God forbid!!!
Mansi says:
December 5, 2007 at 3:11 pm
tht does look inviting to me, even though I don’t eat fish!!:) the coleslaw would do though..
Kitty says:
December 6, 2007 at 3:12 pm
mmmmm, fish tacos are one of my favorite things ever….especially with cole slaw, but I would probably put the cole slaw in the taco.
Amanda says:
December 6, 2007 at 3:56 pm
Leena, i have one word for you: hmph! 😛 I taught that boy the glory of bacon…. it’s my greatness… mine… Mine… Mine!!! mwahahaha. i know i know, bacon teaches its own greatness, no need for me to teach. all bow to ye holy bacon! praise bacon!
cheila, that really says something! mmmm granted i haven’t eaten lunch yet and it’s noon, but all this responding to comments is making me salivate!
are you for real bobby?!? not knowing panko? i guess it’s not unheard of but still…. dude, if i really do get some kraut for xmas that would rock! you know my passion for kraut with half of my family coming from eastern europe (a hundred years ago). i don’t know if it’s going to… uh… travel well though! i can’t wait to see you guys and your little newbie!
leosatter, thanks for commenting! i wish i knew of some good places to order food online, but unfortunately i don’t! if i find any thing i will let you know though.
thank mansi! pretty much anything is good inside of a warm corn tortilla, at least in my opinion!
me too, kitty! i actually put some shredded cabbage and some “white sauce” in the taco (the same sauce used for dressing the coleslaw) so it virtually had the coleslaw in the salad! i figured i would want a little bit more sauce than the slaw would give me. ooo! i forgot to write back to you about your paying it forward situation… that’s so sad that no one was commenting on the post. I want a thermos of broccoli soup! right now! can you have it here in the next hour? i’m mighty hungry. 🙂
Susan from Food Blogga says:
December 7, 2007 at 7:49 pm
I usually use tilapia or halibut, but you’ve made want to try catfish now. I’m with you on the traditional Baja toppings, esp. the crunchy slaw and simple white sauce. That stuff is soo good.
Bobby says:
December 8, 2007 at 1:58 am
I could always mail it, with the mixing bowls. I haben’t checked on it in a week, been working doubles for the past two weeks, and will be pulling doubles until after Xmas, but it means O/T!!! If I did not say, the state canned me, but I had a job before the end of the day, and it is working out pretty good. I don’t know if it stinks, have a cold and can’t smell anything.
Kitty says:
See Also
The Best Mother's Day Brunch Recipes
December 8, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Lol, I ended up getting one bite on the post, so I will get to do it after all. How about I send you a homemade treat also??
Amanda says:
December 8, 2007 at 3:55 pm
susan, i prefer halibut over most fish most of the time… including fish tacos! actually i love all fish all of the time. 🙂 and all tacos all of the time… mmmm tacos! (i haven’t had lunch yet) the traditional baja toppings are the only way to go with the fish taco. i don’t know what it is about a white sauce and cabbage mixed with fish and corn tortillas but… mmmm mmm mmm!
bobby! you didn’t tell me about the new job and the canning of the old one. you need to write me a fully detailed email, to which i promise to respond. office jobs kill the soul any way. i at least want to eat some kraut even if you don’t mail it to me with the bowls! i might have enough room in my suit case to take the bowls back with me… assuming br stays warm enough for me not to have to pack bulky clothes.
kitty, i would be honored! let’s do it. when i email you to get your address i’ll give you mine. a wise friend once taught me, when people offer you things accept them!
Bobby says:
December 9, 2007 at 7:15 pm
Well, the way things are now, we got out Christmas tree, and had to fight of mosquitos, But it could be cold, or BR cold by Christmas.
melissa says:
December 11, 2007 at 4:31 am
I live in orange county and before that I lived in san diego for five years – prior to that (i.e., outside california), I had never had fish tacos. but living in SD made me realize how great they are.
however, I have to admit, I never thought to try the with your catfish flair. they look awesome!! thanks for the post, and glad to have found your blog. 🙂
Ros says:
December 16, 2007 at 3:17 pm
Mmmmm, fish and spicy sauce in a cripy taco. I totally agree about not overcooking the fish. Too many people do it- it drive me mad.
I wish we got more of that Deep South style food over here. We’re seriouly deprived.
Maggie says:
March 31, 2008 at 9:06 pm
Only someone from the beautiful state of Louisiana would think of a Catfish Taco. Y’all rock. I am in Central La and love to cook- specially cajun. WOW!!!
stephan says:
April 11, 2008 at 11:08 pm
â€œSomething Smells Like Fishâ€¦
Itâ€™s My Taco!â€ i laugh hard at this, oh god lmfao
Rob says:
July 2, 2008 at 3:18 am
Man there is nothing I lobe more than fish taco’s. I am sorta a purist for Ensenada style but these look fantastic. I may just have to mend my snooty ways.
Kellie says:
October 17, 2008 at 9:24 am
this recipe sounds soooo good. but, i can’t help to chuckle at the title of the page. but, i’m not a well individual. 🙂
Amanda says:
October 17, 2008 at 10:23 am
kellie, you took it the way we put it out there! we just happen to not be well individuals either! 😉