Exotic Cuisine: Mexican Fish Tacos

Mmm Mmm Mexican food… one of my favorites! This week I was craving something light but with a zing and naturally, fish tacos came to mind. Now, I know fish tacos aren’t the most authentic Mexican fare, but this recipe is served with a traditional freshly-made hot sauce that truly reminds me of the flavors I fell in love with the first time I explored Mexico. Here is a quick and easy recipe for Mahi Mahi Tacos that you can whip up in no time…

Ingredients:

For the hot sauce:
2 chipotle chiles
2 plum tomatoes, seeded
2 cloves garlic
2 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lime juice
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt

For the tacos:

1 1/2 pounds mahi mahi fillet, skin removed
1 lime
Extra virgin olive oil
Chili powder
Fine sea salt
24 small white corn tortillas

For garnish

2 avocados, skinned, pitted and sliced 1/4 Savoy cabbage, thinly-sliced
1/2 red onion, thinly-sliced
6 ounces queso fresco, crumbled
2 limes cut into wedges

Instructions:

Prepare the grill for direct grilling at 500ºF.

Make the hot sauce by combining all 5 ingredients in a blender (or food processor). Blend until smooth. Reserve.

Squeeze the lime over the mahi mahi filet(s), and then brush with olive oil. Season liberally with chili powder and sprinkle with a little salt.

Grill the fish over direct heat, turning once, until the flesh flakes under gentle pressure from your finger or a pair of tongs. Timing will vary with the thickness of the fillet. A thick piece will require about 6 minutes on the first side and 4 on the second. When grilling fish, the fillet will let you know it is ready to turn when it releases easily from the grill. If it sticks, it probably isn’t time to flip.

Grill one side of each tortilla over direct heat for about 20 seconds.

To assemble the tacos, stack 2 tortillas on top of each other, add some flakes of mahi mahi and drizzle with hot sauce. Add a little cabbage and onion and a slice of avocado. Sprinkle with queso fresco and top off with some cilantro leaves. Serve with lime wedges!

Make it a Mexican Fiesta!

When serving these delicious tacos as an appetizer or entree for guests, I like to turn the whole evening into a Mexican-themed Fiesta. For a beautiful presentation, serve the fish tacos on an aluminum oval tray, pictured above, hand-crafted by local artisans in Mexico. And, don’t forget to throw on some authentic tunes. I personally enjoy Lila Downs’ La Cantina, or Magos Herrera’s Distancia. (Click on the links for a sample of the music.)

I hope these flavors transport you too! Que se vayan bien amigos!