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Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa

Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa

I recently saw a recipe in The New York Times for Chicken Liver Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa.  The chicken liver component made me cringe a bit, but my interest was certainly piqued by the rhubarb salsa!  Tart, fresh rhubarb is mixed with spring onion, spicy jalapeño, cider vinegar and smoky chipotle powder.  I paired this adventurous salsa with strips of cornmeal crusted white fish and creamy, caramelized onions.  The finished taco was definitely like nothing I have ever tasted before.  An enjoyable array of bold, bright flavors and varying textures that is sure to arouse your taste buds.  Continue reading for the recipe.

Spring Onion, Rhubarb, Jalapeno, Cilantro

Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa
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Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa

Adapted from The New York Times.
Servings 4 servings
Author Brandon Matzek

Ingredients

For the salsa:

  • 1 1/2 cups rhubarb, cut in a 1/4-inch dice (about 2 medium stalks)
  • 1/3 cup finely minced spring onion or scallions
  • 1 jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1/2 cup pickled cocktail onions, halved
  • 2 teaspoons honey, plus more to taste
  • 3 tablespoons cider vinegar, divided (1 tablespoon for the salsa, 2 tablespoons for the onions below)
  • Kosher salt
  • Chipotle powder or cayenne

For the fish tacos:

  • 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
  • 5 tablespoons olive oil, divided (4 tablespoons for the fish, 1 tablespoon for the onions)
  • 1 pound white fish (cod, tilapia, halibut), cut in 2-inch to 3-inch strips (no need to be precise here)
  • 1 large sweet onion, thinly sliced
  • 8 soft corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus more for sprinkling

Instructions

  1. Fill 2/3 of a large bowl with cold water and add a couple handfuls of ice (this is an ice bath). Set aside.
  2. Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add rhubarb and cook for 20 seconds. Scoop the rhubarb out of the water with a slotted spoon directly into the ice bath. Chill for a minute, then drain and transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet. Dry by blotting with additional paper towels (the rhubarb doesn't need to be completely dry, just not dripping wet). Once dry, transfer rhubarb to a medium bowl and fold in spring onion, jalapeño and cocktail onions. In a small bowl, mix honey into 1 tablespoon of vinegar then stir into salsa. Season with kosher salt and chipotle powder to taste. If you find your salsa is a bit too tart, you can add more honey.
  3. Preheat oven to 200°F.
  4. Place cornmeal in a shallow bowl and season with a healthy amount of kosher salt and a sprinkling of chipotle powder, stirring to combine. Roll strips of fish in the seasoned cornmeal. Coat the entire surface of the fish with cornmeal, shake off the excess, then transfer to a plate (I used a baking sheet).
  5. Warm 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté fish until lightly browned and cooked through (about 1 to 2 minutes each side). Do this in several batches to avoid crowding the pan. Once you complete a batch, transfer for a heatproof dish, cover and keep warm in the oven while the other batches are cooking.
  6. Once you have cooked all of the fish, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet and warm over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of vinegar, stir to deglaze the pan and remove from heat.
  7. Wrap the tortillas in a lightly dampened paper towel and warm in the microwave for 20 - 30 seconds. Stir 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro into the rhubarb salsa.
  8. To assemble, lay 1 to 2 strips of fish across the center of the tortilla. Top with caramelized onions and a spoonful of rhubarb salsa. Finish with a sprinkling of chopped cilantro.

Rhubarb Salsa

 

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Brandon…the food looks wonderful and great recipe.

    LOVE the wood plank the tacos are on. If that’s a local find, I want to know where you scored it!

    • Hey Averie! I got that wooden cutting board at… Macy’s!!! It is part of the Martha Stewart collection. Each cutting board has a unique design. I actually purchased two! Thanks 🙂

  2. These look light and delicious! I just found your blog on the San Diego Food Bloggers FB, I can’t believe there are so many of us! It’s great to come across your site, the photos and recipes are lovely. I second Averie, the cutting boards are gorgeous!

    • Thanks Kelsey!! There seem to be a lot of San Diego food bloggers. I would love to plan a get together sometime. Keep in touch!

  3. Love the concept of rhubarb salsa! I feel like rhubarb is a really humble yet special ingredient. I love seeing it in so many recipes–both sweet and savory – lately.

    • Rhubarb is one of those special seasonal ingredients that I like to enjoy once or twice a year. Normally I’ll make a crumble or pie or compote; however, this year I decided to get all crazy with this salsa.

  6. So beautiful. You’re right, the rhubarb would go perfectly in a fish taco, I love it! Putting this on my grocery list right now.

  7. So delicious when we enjoyed rhubarb with fish taco. I have enjoyed once at my colleague’s home. Now i can’t wait to enjoy it. Hope that i find it nearest to any hotels.

  9. So fresh and exotic! I love this dish! Is perfect for the spring and also makes me think at the summer.. 🙂 Lovely!

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