Blue Catfish Tacos

Blue Catfish Tacos

Author: Chef Josh Brown: Vida Taco Bar

Ingredients

  • 1 tsp minced chipotle pepper in adobo sauce
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 1 tbsp honey
  • 2 tsp fresh lime juice
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 cup white cabbage very thinly sliced
  • 1 cup red cabbage very thinly sliced
  • 1 green onion, white and tender green parts thinly sliced
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 tsp hot sauce
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs plus more if needed
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 8-10 ounces blue catfish fillets
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, combine the chipotle, mayonnaise, honey, lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper and stir well to mix. Add both cabbages and the green onion and toss and stir to combine and coat the vegetables well with the chipotle mayonnaise. Set aside
  • In a large, shallow bowl, whisk together the egg with a splash of water, a pinch of salt and the hot sauce. Pour the panko and flour onto two separate large plates. Pat the fillets dry and sprinkle all over with salt and pepper.
  • Dredge the fish in the flour and knock off the excess. Dip the fish into the egg to coat it completely and then coat it thoroughly with the panko. Place the fillets on a platter as they are breaded.
  • Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat and add the vegetable oil. When the oil shimmers and is very hot, slip the breaded fish into the pan and brown it on one side, about 3 minutes. Turn and brown the other side, another 3 minutes. Transfer the fish to paper towels to drain.
  • Pour off the oil in the pan (pouring it into a metal can in the sink works well) and return the pan to the heat. Dump the slaw mixture into the pan and toss it for about 1 minute to warm it up. Don’t cook it so long that it completely wilts. You want it to have a little crunch. Return the slaw to the bowl so that it doesn’t overcook.
  • Warm the tortillas wrapped in microwavable plastic wrap until soft and pliable, 20 to 30 seconds. Lay the fish down the center of the tortillas and top it with the slaw.
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