I couldn’t resist this perfectly themed Sunday Supper event! We just moved to California and have a whole new culinary world open to us. I knew I had to participate in today’s event hosted by Sue of A Palatable Pastime.
While we were house hunting, and then waiting for move-in day, we were staying in temporary housing about a half an hour away (without traffic – ha!) from where we want to live. Our little room has been like living in a tiny house, except that the bed isn’t a loft space. The kitchen has all the essentials: stove/oven, microwave, coffee pot, fridge with freezer. There are even some dishes for our use: pots and pans, cutting board, knife set, plates/bowls, etc.
You can’t get in the car without seeing a donut shop or a burger joint, but those options weren’t easily feasible given my current kitchen situation. I wasn’t about to deep fry some donuts or fry up some juicy burgers in a small space where a warning that the fire alarm is very sensitive predominantly posted above the sink.
Southern California is predominantly known for Mexican food and avocados. So, I decided to make tacos for today’s event. My husband requested fish tacos, so that’s what I did. I’m glad too because it felt nice to eat fresh, homemade food after a week long road trip and countless meals eaten out. I was nervous about cooking fish in such a small space, but I was happily surprised that there wasn’t any odor from cooking fresh fish in the microwave. Seriously, who knew!? The fish was flaky, tender, and juicy, too. Dare I say my best fish yet? Although, some salt would’ve been nice. I’ve always taken salt for granted that I didn’t think to purchase any on my grocery trip. Oh well.
I didn’t have a container large enough to make the full pound of fish I purchased so I made half of it one night for dinner as a trial run. I prepared the dish again for lunch the following day to take advantage of the Southern California sunlight!
I set up my food styling on a pizza pan and used the fresh produce to give some life to my taco display. I had to place the dish on the floor outside our room, but I think it turned out great. I’m looking forward to seeing an improvement in my photography skills while we’re in Cali for the next 2-4 years!
The knives available to me are horrendous. I can flex the blades with my hands making it near impossible to cut anything, if you look closely you can see the grooves the knife left on the avocado slices! But, I powered through and was impressed with how well I could shave the onion (because the knife couldn’t actually go through the vegetable).
This recipe serves two.
Cali Inspired Fish Tacos
Ingredients:
- juice 1 lime, plus more for serving
- 2 tsp olive oil
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp corriander
- 1/2 lb fresh white fish
- 4 fajita-sized tortillas (I used a corn-wheat blend)
- cole slaw mix (shredded cabbage and carrots – no dressing)
- thinly slice red onion
- fresh cilantro
- avocado, sliced
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, chili powder, and corriander. Season to taste with S+P.
- Place fish in a microwave safe dish. Pour marinade over the fish, flip to coat. Refrigerate for 25-30 minutes.
- Microwave, slightly covered, for 3 minutes. Flake into bite sized pieces.
- Assemble tacos: place cooked fish, slaw, onion, cilantro, and avocado in tortillas. Squeeze with fresh lime.
*This recipe is adapted from Kate at http://www.food.com/recipe/california-fish-tacos-ww-480056*
Appetizers:
- Crispy Salmon Bites with Homemade Tartar Sauce by Pine Needles In My Salad
- Loaded Tex-Mex Chile con Queso by The Weekend Gourmet
- New England Style Stuffed Clams by Caroline’s Cooking
Beverages:
- Brandy Old Fashioned by Curious Cuisiniere
- Wine Pairing Recommendations For #SundaySupper Regional Specialties by ENOFYLZ Wine Blog
Breakfast:
- Breakfast Empanada Casserole by Simply Healthy Family
Salads:
- Pittsburgh Steak Salad by Seduction in the Kitchen
- Homemade Ranch Dressing by My Imperfect Kitchen
- Tupelo Honey Key Lime Vinaigrette by Family Around the Table
Sauces:
- Alabama White Barbecue Sauce by Cookin’ Mimi
Side Dishes:
- Delaware Crabs by Delaware Girl Eats
- JoJo Potatoes by A Mind Full Mom
- Long Beans with Coconut by Food Lust People Love
- Old Bay Cauli-Tots by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Southern Collard Greens by Magnolia Days
Soups:
- Mohawk Corn Soup by kimchi MOM
- Steve’s Famous Maryland Crab Soup by Monica’s Table
Main Dish:
- Amish Chicken and Noodles by Palatable Pastime
- Avocado BLT Sandwich by Brunch-n-Bites
- Bison Steaks with Cranberry Chimichurri by Tramplingrose
- Boiled Lobster with Drawn Butter by Taste And See
- Cali Inspired Fish Tacos by Sew You Think You Can Cook
- California Beer Steamed Shrimp by Nosh My Way
- Cheesy Tex Mex Enchiladas by The TipToe Fairy
- Cola Marinated Steak Tips by Hardly a Goddess
- Copycat Hattie B’s Hot Chicken by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
- Corn and Bacon Chowder by Moore or Less Cooking
- Crab-Stuffed Artichokes with Spicy Aioli by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
- Deep Fried Pizza Roll by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
- Halal Cart-Style Chicken and Rice with White Sauce by The Texan New Yorker
- Homemade Quebec Maple Baked Beans by She Loves Biscotti
- How to Make Vegetable Lumpia by Asian In America
- Italian Hot Dog by Simple and Savory
- Mom’s City Chicken by My Life Cookbook
- North Carolina BBQ with Cole Slaw and Hush Puppies by The Freshman Cook
- Philly Cheesesteak Calzones by Baking Sense
- Polish Boy Sandwich by Renee’s Kitchen Adventures
- Spicy Salmon for Tacos by Hey What’s for Dinner Mom?
- Tex-Mex Slowcooker Chicken and Beef Fajitas by Meal Planning Magic
- West Michigan Wet Burritos by Wholistic Woman
Desserts:
- Austrian Mohnnudeln (Poppy Seed Noodles) by The Bread She Bakes
- Butter Tarts – A Canadian Tradition by Red Cottage Chronicles
- Carob Cherry Crumb Bars by Pies and Plots
- Florida Key Lime Cream Pie by The Crumby Cupcake
- Fried Biscuits by Angels Home Sweet Homestead
- Gooey Butter Cake from Saint Louie! by Our Good Life
- Homemade Butterscotch Krimpets by The Redhead Baker
- Hoosier Sugar Cream Pie by That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- San Jose Burnt Almond Cake by Eat, Drink and be Tracy
- Shoofly Pie by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Spanish Bar Cake by Get the Good Stuff!
- Upside Down Angel Food Cupcakes by Cooking With Carlee
Plus:
- Rhubarb Steamed Pudding and Favorite Regional Recipes from Sunday Supper Movement
Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the#SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.
Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.
Oh This looks so good!
Thanks!
Pics turned out great! …and delicious!
Thanks! 🙂
I think fish tacos represent So Cal! Looks delicious! I was born and raised in LA, enjoy your time in Cali! Nettie
Thank you! Any must-dos?
I love fish tacos and am always surprised at what can be cooked in the microwave.
I know! Mind blown.
Fish tacos are one of my ALL time favorite meals!! These look absolutely amazing!! oxox
Thank you.
I love fish tacos—now to get the picky hubby on board. Otherwise, I’ll just make and eat them all myself. That’s not a bad plan 🙂
Haha! I like the way you think.
LOVE your photography on the fly. It’s like me photographing at work. LOVE IT! And these tacos look nothing like the Hooters version I had. I can’t wait to try these fish tacos! I’m fish-picky.
Thanks so much! 🙂 I hope you enjoy.
I was not able to participate in this week’s Sunday Supper, but following your blog, I saw your recipe for California cuisine! I lived in So. California in Orange County (Fullerton, CA to be exact) for over 5 years in the 80’s. Fell in love with the cuisine and especially love the recipe for fish tacos that you have kindly shared! I can never get enough of the diverse ways to prepare fish tacos!
Grazie!
Roz
Thank you so much for your kind words and for stopping by! I think we will like it here, now we just have to get rid of all these moving boxes!
Congrats on the move!!! Who needs the taco stands? Your tacos look amazing!!!!
Thank you!
Gorgeous!
Fish tacos are definitely 100% California food! One of my favorites too! Happy moving and great job on the pictures!!
Oh good! And thank you.
I adore fish tacos and these look just perfect. California on a plate!
Thanks!
I love fish tacos and these look delicious!
Thank you.
The joys of moving… At least you were able to make these tacos and fish tacos are my favorite.
🙂
They look amazing, even with your flexed knives!
🙂