Red Snapper Fish Tacos

Red Snapper Fish Tacos

Pescadillas
Commercial fishing is an important industry in Acapulco where seafood restaurants and snack stands abound. Crisp rolled fish tacos called pescadillas are a treat to try in Acapulco and some coastal villages nearby. Serve guacamole with the tacos.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

Instructions

  • Season the fish with the garlic, oregano, and salt.
  • Heat the oil in a medium skillet, over medium-high heat, and sauté the fish on both sides until just opaque inside, about 3 to 4 minutes on each side, depending on the thickness of the fish.
  • Using a fork, flake the fish and put in a bowl.
  • When the fish is cool, add the tomato, onion, garlic, serrano chile, lime juice, and cilantro.
  • Toss gently to mix.
  • Heat 1 tortilla, turning once or twice, on a hot griddle or dry skillet until soft, about 15 seconds.
  • Put the tortilla on a plate, and spoon about ⅛ of the fish mixture along the lower third of the tortilla.
  • Roll into a tight cylinder and secure with wooden toothpicks.
  • Repeat with remaining tortillas and fish.
  • In a clean skillet, heat oil to a depth of ¼ inch in the pan.
  • Fry 2 or 3 tacos at a time until golden brown and crisp on the outside.
  • Drain on paper towels, remove the toothpicks, and serve hot.
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Course; Fish / Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Fish Tacos

Fish Tacos

Tacos de Pescado
In Baja, where fresh fish is plentiful along both coasts of the peninsula, fish tacos are among the most popular quick snacks in the region. My brother-in-law, Frank Davis, lives part of each year in Baja and uses this standard procedure to make the typical fish tacos made by many food vendors in Ensenada.
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Equipment

  • medium bowl

Ingredients

Makes 6 tacos

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, mix together the tomatoes, garlic, onion, chile, cilantro, and ¼ teaspoon of the salt.
  • Set the salsa aside.
  • In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise and yogurt together.
  • Set aside.
  • Pat the fish dry with paper towels.
  • In a medium bowl mix the flour, garlic powder, ½ teaspoon of the salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the beer and mix well.
  • Dip the fish into the beer batter and lay on waxed paper 15 to 20 minutes.
  • In a deep skillet, pour oil to a depth of 2 inches and heat to 375°.
  • Fry the fish, 2 pieces at a time, turning once until crisp and golden brown outside and barely flakes inside.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Heat a dry nonstick skillet and warm the tortillas, 1 at a time until soft and pliable.
  • Stack between layers of a clean kitchen towel to keep warm.
  • To assemble, layer on each warm tortilla 1 fish fillet, plus the amount of salsa, mayonnaise, and cabbage desired.
  • Fold in half and serve.
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Course; Fish / Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Mashed Potato Tacos with Red Salsa

Mashed Potato Tacos with Red Salsa

Doblados de Papas
In the state of Puebla, a quick mashed potato taco is typical street food that's economical, filling, and nourishing. Add red salsa for a simple tortilla snack. My friend, Chef Ricardo Muñoz Zurita shared this tasty, easy recipe.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 snacks

  • Fresh Salsa Mexicana or purchased
  • 2 medium 1⁄2-pound potatoes, peeled and sliced
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil or unsalted butter
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 4 corn tortillas
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil or lard

Instructions

  • Prepare the salsa if using homemade.
  • Then, in a saucepan, cook the potatoes in water to cover until soft, 8 to 10 minutes.
  • Drain and mash with oil, or butter, and season with salt.
  • Soften corn tortillas in a hot dry skillet until limp, 10 to 12 seconds.
  • Fill each with about 3 tablespoons of mashed potatoes and fold in half.
  • Brush the outside of each taco with oil.
  • Put in a hot skillet and cook the tacos, turning, until just starting to brown, but still pliable.
  • Serve with fresh salsa.
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Course; Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Potato and Green Chile Tacos

Potato and Green Chile Tacos

Tacos con Papas y Rajas
Cuernavaca, near Mexico City, is a welcome retreat for a day or overnight visit. The vast public market is not to be missed and the fondas (food stalls) turn out an incredible selection of things to eat and drink. Soft warm corn tortillas filled with potatoes, chiles, and fresh salsa especially pleased me, and they are easy to make at home.
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Ingredients

Makes 8 small tacos

  • 3 small 4 ounces red or white potatoes
  • 3 large poblano chiles roasted, peeled, seeded, and veins removed
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil or olive oil
  • ½ medium white onion finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon dried oregano Mexican variety preferred, crumbled
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • Salsa red or green, purchased or homemade

Instructions

  • Cook the potatoes in water to cover until tender, 12 to 15 minutes.
  • Peel the potatoes and finely dice or chop themPut in a bowl.
  • Cut the chiles into short thin strips (¼ × 1 inch).
  • Add to the bowl of potatoes.
  • In a large nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onion until it starts to brown, about 4 minutes.
  • Add the potatoes, chiles, salt, and oregano.
  • Cook, stirring, until completely heated through, about 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Heat a medium, dry skillet over medium heat and soften the tortillas, 1 at a time, turning until pliable and hot.
  • Cover the heated tortillas with a clean kitchen towel to keep soft and hot.
  • To assemble, spoon about 3 tablespoons of the potato mixture and 1 tablespoon of salsa on half of each tortilla.
  • Fold in half.
  • Serve at once.
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Course; Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Tacos with Steak, Cactus, and Onions

Tacos with Steak, Cactus, and Onions

Tacos de Bistek, Nopales, y Cebollas
When we went to view the ruins of Cacaxtla in the tiny state of Tlaxcala only a few miles from Puebla, we were invited to a home to watch amaranth candy being made. Amaranth, a plant with edible leaves and seeds, is grown in the area. The seeds are ground to use like flour, or toasted and mixed with honey for candy. While we were there, we were treated to a snack of the special regional tacos made with blue corn tortillas. The thin steaks, cactus, and onions were quickly cooked on a hot griddle and stuffed into fresh blue corn tortillas. Green salsa and cold beer accompanied the tacos. White corn tortillas can be used in place of blue corn tortillas.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 tacos

  • Fresh Tomatillo Sauce
  • 2 fresh small cactus paddles thorns cut off and trimmed (optional)
  • 2 thin 1⁄4-inch steaks, about 8 ounces total
  • ½ medium white onion thinly sliced
  • Vegetable oil
  • Salt to taste
  • 4 blue corn or white corn tortillas

Instructions

  • Prepare the salsa if using the cactus.
  • Then cut finger-like strips of each cactus paddle lengthwise to within 1½ inch of the edge to resemble the palm of a hand.
  • Heat a flat griddle or large cast iron skillet until hot.
  • Put the cactus paddles on the griddle.
  • Cook about 1 minute.
  • Turn the cactus, and add the steaks and onion to the griddle.
  • Brush everything with oil.
  • Cook, turning everything, 2 to 3 times, until the meat is done and the cactus and onion are tender.
  • Season with salt.
  • Transfer everything to a cutting board.
  • Chop the steaks into small pieces.
  • Cut each cactus paddle in half.
  • Warm the tortillas on the griddle until pliable.
  • Divide the cactus, meat, and onion among the tortillas.
  • Fold in half and serve at once with the salsa.
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Course; Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Cactus Tacos

Cactus Tacos

Tacos de Nopalitos
Mexican tacos are generally made with small soft corn tortillas, about 4 inches in diameter. It's quick hand-to-mouth food that's meant to be eaten as soon as it's made. Although still a rarity in the United States, fresh cactus is often used in Mexican kitchens, and serving them in tacos is easy with cactus strips sold in jars. Buy the kind packed in water. Don't buy those in brine.
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Ingredients

Makes about 6 tacos

  • 2 cups rinsed and drained strips of cactus nopalitos
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • ½ large white onion finely chopped
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • Fresly ground pepper to taste
  • 6 5- to 6-inch corn tortillas
  • Crumbled queso fresco fresh Mexican cheese
  • Fresh salsa purchased or homemade

Instructions

  • Cut the cactus strips into 1⁄4-inch dice and set aside.
  • In a medium skillet, heat the oil and cook the onion, stirring, until it starts to brown, 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Season with salt and pepper.
  • Stir in the reserved diced cactus and heat through completely.
  • Set aside.
  • Heat a small nonstick skillet and warm the tortillas, 1 at a time, until soft and pliable.
  • To assemble, put a portion of the cactus filling on half of each warm tortilla.
  • Top with queso fresco and salsa.
  • Fold in half and serve at once.
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Course; Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Creamy Mushroom Tacos

Creamy Mushroom Tacos

Tacos de Hongos
Taquerias (taco snack shops) abound all over Mexico, but these mushroom-filled tacos are more apt to be found in the central highlands of Mexico around Mexico City and Puebla, where a wild mushrooms grow in the mountains.
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Ingredients

Makes 8 to 10 tacos

  • 4 guajillo chiles cut open, seeded, veins removed, and toasted
  • 1 large tomato peeled and roughly chopped
  • 1 small garlic clove chopped
  • ½ teaspoon dried oregano Mexican variety preferred, crumbled
  • ½ teaspoon ground cumin
  • tablespoons vegetable oil
  • cup heavy cream or half and half
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
  • 3 tablespoons vegetable oil or olive oil
  • About 1½ pounds cremini mushrooms halved and thinly sliced (4 cups)
  • 1 medium white onion finely chopped
  • ¼ cup finely chopped fresh epazote leaves or cilantro
  • teaspoon freshly ground pepper or to taste
  • ¾ cup crumbled or grated cotija cheese
  • 10 corn tortillas

Instructions

  • Prepare the chiles.
  • Soak them in a bowl of hot water about 20 minutes.
  • Drain and put the chiles in a blender jar.
  • Add the tomato, garlic, and oregano.
  • Blend to a thick smooth paste.
  • If too thick to grind, add water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  • Heat ½ tablespoon of the oil in a small saucepan over medium heat.
  • Add the chile mixture and cook, stirring, until thick and pasty, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the cream and simmer, uncovered, until thick and smooth, about 3 minutes.
  • Add ¼ teaspoon of the salt, or to taste.
  • Cover and set the sauce aside.
  • Heat the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  • Add the mushrooms and onions.
  • Cook, stirring frequently, until the moisture has cooked away, and the mixture is nearly dry.
  • Stir in the epazote and reserved chile sauce.
  • Cook, stirring, 1 minute to heat through.
  • Transfer the mushrooms to a serving dish.
  • Sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons of the cheese.
  • Serve with soft warm tortillas.
  • Pass the remaining cheese at the table.
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Course; Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Mushroom and Epazote Tacos

Mushroom and Epazote Tacos

Tacos de Hongos y Epazote
Wild mushrooms grow in the pine forests of the mountains surrounding Mexico City. During the rainy season from June to September the public markets sell a wide variety of mushrooms, and the market food stalls called fondas offer cazuelas (casseroles) of hot flavorful mushrooms to eat with fresh corn tortillas. Look for fresh or dried epazote in Mexican markets.
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Ingredients

Makes 4 servings

  • 4 corn tortillas
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 medium white onion finely chopped
  • 1 large garlic clove finely chopped
  • 1 pound brown cremini mushrooms cleaned and sliced
  • 1 jalapeño chile seeded, veins removed, and finely chopped
  • ¼ cup chopped fresh epazote leaves or 1 tablespoon dried epazote
  • ½ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions

  • In a deep skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the onion and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes.
  • Add the remaining ingredients and cook, stirring frequently, until the mushrooms are tender and most of the juices have cooked away, about 8 minutes.
  • Heat the tortillas, 1 at a time, in a hot skillet, turning once or twice, until soft and warm, about 1 minute for each tortilla.
  • Cover with foil to prevent them from drying out.
  • To serve, spoon about 3 tablespoons of the mushroom mixture into each tortilla and fold in half.
  • Serve at once.
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Course; Taco’s
Cuisine; Mexican

Mexican Pork Sausage

Mexican Pork Sausage

Chorizo
Commercial chorizo is often very greasy. It's easy to make flavorful chorizo with less fat at home and freeze it in portions to be used as needed. This is the pork sausage preparation that I use in recipes calling for chorizo. No casings are required since the chorizo will be cooked in your recipe like any other ground meat.
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Ingredients

Makes 1 pound

Instructions

  • Put all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl.
  • Mix very well with clean hands.
  • Cover and refrigerate at least overnight before using, or refrigerate up to 4 days.
  • To store longer, freeze up to 3 months.
  • The chorizo is ready to use.
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Course; Pork
Cuisine; Mexican

Crisp Rolled Flautas with Chicken

Crisp Rolled Flautas with Chicken

Flautas de Pollo
Flautas are rolled corn tortillas with various fillings that are crisp fried and often garnished with shredded lettuce and other raw vegetables. Flautas and taquitos are similar, in that both are filled, rolled, and fried; however, sometimes flautas (meaning flutes) are made with two tortillas that are overlapped, filled, and then rolled into longer cylinders. This chicken filling is tomato based with a hint of heat.
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Ingredients

Makes 6 flautas

Instructions

  • Prepare chicken.
  • Then, in a medium skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of oil and cook the onion, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
  • Stir in the tomato, serrano chile, and chicken.
  • Set the pan aside off heat.
  • In a large skillet, heat about ¼ inch of oil until it shimmers.
  • Dip the tortillas in the hot oil about 3 seconds, 1 at a time, until soft and limp.
  • Drain on paper towels.
  • Lay 1 tortilla on a working surface and put about 2 tablespoons of the chicken filling across the lower third of the tortilla.
  • Roll tightly and secure with a toothpick.
  • Lay seam side down on a plate and repeat with all the tortillas.
  • Add extra oil to the skillet, if needed, and reheat until hot.
  • Fry the flautas 2 or 3 at a time, turning, until crisp and golden brown.
  • Drain on paper towels and remove the toothpicks.
  • Make a bed of the shredded lettuce on a plate and drizzle with the lime juice.
  • Lay the warm flautas on top.
  • Drizzle with sour cream.
  • Garnish with radish slices and serve at once.
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Course; Chicken / Tortilla
Cuisine; Mexican