Chef Hugo Matheson, one of our co-founders, taught us how to make authentic pub-style fried fish, with extra crispy batter coating a flaky white fish like rockfish or cod. The twist? We serve the fish with taco fixings in lettuce cups instead of tortillas. The whole presentation is so light and airy, crispy and crunchy, and fresh without ever feeling heavy. It’s a great shared dish, especially for anyone with a gluten-free diet. We use rockfish, but you’d get equally delicious results with cod, hake, or even red snapper.
- 1 1/2 pounds skinless rockfish, cod, or other white fish
- 1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more for sprinkling
- 1 1/4 cups cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
- 3/4 cup cold club soda
- 12 large Bibb lettuce leaves
- Jalapeño aioli (recipe follows)
- Fresh cilantro leaves
- Pickled red onions (recipe follows)
- 1 watermelon radish, cut into julienne
- Fresh lime juice
Cut the fish into 12 pieces, each about 2 ounces, and season with salt. Place the cornstarch in a large bowl and whisk in the paprika, chili powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Gently pour the club soda into the cornstarch and mix with a fork.
To fry the fish, pour oil into a wide sauté pan or saucepan to come about 3 inches up the sides. Heat over medium-high to 325°F. When the oil is ready, dredge the fish in the cornstarch mixture, then shake off the excess. Using a slotted spoon, add half of the pieces of battered fish to the oil and fry, turning once with tongs, until golden brown, about 5 minutes. Remove to paper towels. Sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the remaining fish.
Jalepeño Aioli
Makes about 1 1/4 cups- 1/4 cup minced pickled jalapeños, homemade or store-bought
- 2 tablespoons roasted garlic paste (recipe follows)
- 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, or to taste
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- Salt, to taste
Roasted Garlic Paste
Makes about 1/2 cup paste- 1 cup peeled garlic cloves
- Grapeseed or other neutral oil to cover (about 1 cup)
Pickled Red Onions
Makes 3 pints- 2 cups rice wine vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 2 large red onions, cut in half lengthwise and thinly sliced
Divide the sliced onions evenly among 3 pint-sized mason jars. Pour the vinegar mixture evenly over the onions and set aside until cooled to room temperature. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours before using. The pickled onions will keep tightly covered and refrigerated for up to 1 month.