Man, I love me some fish tacos! They are light, healthy, and full of a range of great flavors. I love the way the smokey flavor of a grilled fish plays with the sweet, tangy, fruity and/or spicy flavors of an accompanying salsa, vegetables or slaw. And the crunchiness of something like peppers, onions or cabbage is a nice contrast to the soft, delicate fish.
You can do many different styles of fish tacos. I like them topped with a fruit salsa utilizing melon, mango, onions, peppers, and tomatoes (they’re a fruit, you know). Or, you can try them topped with pickled onions and fresh cucumbers or with a more traditional tomato salsa with garlic, onions and fresh cilantro. Or try them with a black bean and corn relish. But, maybe my favorite preparation is dressing the taco with a spicy, Asian-inspired slaw.
When pairing a wine with this dish you need to keep it delicate and crisp! Perhaps no wine is better suited to delicate, but sometimes spicy dishes than a good off-dry style Riesling. I like the stuff from Germany best, but lately I have found the quality of Washington Rieslings to be on the rise. Try this on for size:
Fish Tacos
Ingredients:
Tuna filets or Tilapia filets
small, white corn tortillas
Season and grill the fish and set aside ( if using tuna, grill to rare). Divide the fish into pieces. Place some fish atop a tortilla, cover with slaw and enjoy!
For the slaw:
1/2 head of cabbage or a bag of shredded cabbage
3 whole medium green onions chopped
2 medium carrots shredded (omit if already in bagged cole slaw cabbage)
2 tbs chopped cilantro
2 tbs fresh, grated ginger root
1 tbs finely chopped sweet pickles
juice of 2 limes
1 tbs sugar
2 tbs mayonnaise
1 tsp of peanut butter
2 tsp Thai chili garlic paste (Sriracha sauce)
Combine the ginger, pickles, lime juice, sugar, mayo, peanut butter and sriracha in a small bowl and stir to mix. Pour over the cabbage, carrots, and onions and toss it until evenly covered.
Wine Suggestions:
HD Riesling, Mosel $11.79
Louis Guntrum Royal Blue Riesling, Rheinhessen $11.79
Kung Fu Girl Riesling, Washington $12.99
Thomas Fogarty Gewurztraminer, Monterey $16.99
Acrobat Pinot Gris, Oregon $13.79