spiced tilapia tacos from melissa darabian sm

Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with tilapia tacos from Food Network chef and local mom Melissa d'Arabian. She shares some of her favorite Mexican recipes, including this one from her best-selling cookbook "Ten Dollar Dinners."

I grew up in Tucson and probably ate my first fish taco before I could even talk! Serving fish tacos is a superb tactic for taking a relatively small portion of fish and making it seem abundant. Red cabbage quick-pickled with some white vinegar turns the most breathtaking shade of fuchsia and is a cheap and tasty thrill. If kids are joining you at the dinner table, consider omitting the jalapeños or removing the seeds for a less heat. The slaw keeps up to three days, during which time it will continue to be spicier and taste more pickled.

Serves: 4
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes


Ingredients
for the slaw
½    small red cabbage, halved and sliced crosswise into thin strips (about 3 cups sliced cabbage)
¼    red onion, thinly sliced lengthwise
1    small jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced crosswise
2    tablespoons roughly chopped fresh cilantro
1    lime
½    cup white vinegar
1    teaspoon sugar
1½    teaspoons kosher salt

for the tacos

2    6-ounce tilapia fillets
1    teaspoon kosher salt
1    teaspoon ground coriander
1    teaspoon ground cumin
¼    teaspoon sweet paprika
2    tablespoons all-purpose flour
2    tablespoons vegetable oil
8    6-inch fresh corn tortillas


To make the slaw: Place the cabbage, onion, jalapeño, and cilantro in a medium bowl. Slice the lime in half lengthwise and then cut one half into 4 wedges; set aside for serving. Juice the remaining lime half into a small bowl. Add the vinegar, sugar, and salt and whisk to dissolve, then pour the vinegar mixture over the cabbage mixture. Toss and squeeze with your hand to combine and set aside. Stir and squeeze the slaw every 5 to 10 minutes while you prepare the fish.

To make the tacos: Divide each tilapia fillet in half along its center seam (so you have 4 long pieces) and then halve crosswise so you have 8 pieces. Set the tilapia on a plate and blot dry with paper towels. Sprinkle both sides of the 8 pieces with the salt. Mix the coriander, cumin, and paprika together in a small bowl and sprinkle the spices over both sides of the fish, patting them on gently. Place the flour on a plate and lightly coat both sides of the fish in flour.

Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fish and cook until golden and crisp on both sides, 4 to 6 minutes total. Use a spatula to transfer the fish to a plate and set aside.

Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat and place a tortilla in the pan. Cook the tortilla until it’s warmed through and pliable, 30 seconds to 1 minute, turning it over midway through. Place the tortilla on a kitchen towel–lined plate and wrap loosely, folding the edges of the towel over the tortilla to keep it warm. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, stacking and covering them as you go. Place 1 piece of fish inside each tortilla, top with cabbage slaw, and serve with a lime wedge.   


Reprinted from the book Ten Dollar Dinners. Copyright © 2012 by Melissa d’Arabian. Published by Clarkson Potter, a division of Random House, Inc.

Also see these great recipes:
Arroz Con Pollo
Grilled Tomato Salsa
Chiles Rellenos  
Smashed Black Beans

---------------
Ten Dollar Dinners by Melissa d'Arabian. Celebrity chef, television host, author, and mom expert Melissa d’Arabian earned her MBA and worked in corporate finance and strategy before becoming a stay-at-home mom to four daughters. After winning The Next Food Network Star in 2009, Melissa launched Ten Dollar Dinners—a popular Food Network television show followed by a New York Times best-selling cookbook. Her newest projects include a FoodNetwork.com web series, “The Picky Eaters Project: Melissa’s Mealtime Redesign” and serving as a regular judge on Food Network competition series, Guy's Grocery Games. Melissa lives in Coronado with her family. Stay in touch with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Patriotic Cake Pops

Patriotic Cake Pops

Red, white and blue sprinkles make treats festive for July 4 or Memorial Day, but we’re especially excited about these patriotic cake pops, which look like a fireworks display! Thank you to local . . .

Read more

Star Spangled Soda

Star Spangled Soda

Star-Spangled Soda Doubles as a refreshing drink and a great science experiment! It’s a great addition to any cookout—Memorial Day, 4th of July or any summer celebration.IngredientsCranberry ju . . .

Read more

July Fourth Flag Cake

July Fourth Flag Cake

Here is a fantastic family recipe for a flag cake you can bring to this year's July Fourth parties.  It serves a lot of people and it's easy recipe to make. The little secrets that make this ca . . .

Read more

Fruit Pizza with Sugar Cookie Crust

Fruit Pizza with Sugar Cookie Crust

  Fruit pizza is not a new concept, but this recipe features an elevated version with sweetened orange cream for the “sauce” and a delicious citrus glaze. The crust is made with Ann Clark Su . . .

Read more

21 Awesome Ways to Make and Eat S'mores

21 Awesome Ways to Make and Eat S'mores

For some people, messing with traditional s'mores is downright wrong. But if it's the taste of s'mores you crave, you're probably open to venturing outside the box (or in this case, the campfire ring) . . .

Read more

San Diego’s Best Family-Friendly Breweries

San Diego’s Best Family-Friendly Breweries

It took me six weeks after giving birth to twins to get back to a brewery. Believe me, I wanted to go sooner, but a few things got in the way (mostly two infants). We loved going to breweries before t . . .

Read more

Blue Cheese Sliders

Blue Cheese Sliders

  Celebrate Father's Day with Sensational Blue Cheese Sliders!
 Here is a delicious recipe that will keep Dad talking about your Father's Day celebration all year long.   Makes: 6 S . . .

Read more

Fruity Coconut Ice Pops

Fruity Coconut Ice Pops

Blueberries, strawberries and coconut milk make these refreshing ice pops a healthy and festive treat for Fourth of July, Memorial Day or any summer afternoon. Plus, they’re gluten and dairy-free. . . .

Read more

Summertime Watermelon Popsicles

Summertime Watermelon Popsicles

Ah, summer—time to pull out the popsicle maker and homemade popsicle recipes! Kids will love these delicious, refreshing watermelon popsicles. Ingredients 3½ cups cubed seedless watermelon 5 . . .

Read more

Tropical Mango Popsicles

Tropical Mango Popsicles

All-natural popsicles are a refreshing way to cool off on warm summer days. These mango, pineapple and coconut milk treats, combined with speckled dragon fruit and kiwi, are like art on a stick! Ma . . .

Read more

Be Family Informed – Sign up for our Newsletters below!

Subscribe