This is the best fish dish to ever come out of my kitchen, and might be my favorite new kind of taco. It is one of those rare meals where speed, health and taste all meet. The dish is simple in execution - just a pan-seared fish with a simple spice rub and a contrasting cool cilantro-lime topping - but the taste is restaurant quality and it is so easy to throw together. And did I mention it was light? Because it is, my friends. Easy, tasty AND good for you? Now can you understand why I'm so excited about it? 

The spice rub on the fish is just spicy enough and has enough of each flavor to be interesting but not overpowering. It pairs perfectly with the cilantro onion mixture on top, and so don't skip the topping unless you are deathly afraid of cilantro. I've said this about fish dishes in the past, but believe me that even if you are afraid of cooking fish, you can't go wrong with this one. It is very forgiving in that everything gets piled into a tortilla in the end, so even if you mangle the fillets horribly you'll still finish your evening feeling like a seafood rockstar. Bonus that the meal was healthy to boot. 

Blackened Baja Fish Tacos

By Heat Oven To 350 Published 09/09/2013

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup light sour cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped fine
• 1 cup thinly sliced white onion
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper (cayenne)
• 4 (6 ounce) tilapia fillets
• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• 1/2 ripe peeled avocado, thinly sliced (optional)

Instructions

1. In the bowl of a food processor, combine sour cream, cilantro, lime juice and jalepeno pepper. Process until smooth and pour into a small bowl. Add sliced onion and toss to coat. Set aside.
2. Combine paprika, brown sugar, oregano, garlic powder, salt, cumin and red pepper in a small bowl. Spread evenly over both sides of the fillets.
3. Heat canola oil in a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish and cook 3 minutes on each side, or until internal temperature of the tilapia reaches 145 degrees on an instant thermometer.
4. Divide fish among warmed corn tortillas and top with onion mixture and avocado, if using. Serve.

Yield: 4 servings
Prep Time: 15 min
Cook time:6 min

Recipe Source: Cooking Light

Posted in: Main Dish