STEADMAN’S BOATYARD GRILLED CITRUS & SOY FISH TACOS
© 2016 All Rights Reserved by Norman & Janet Van Aken, “My Florida Kitchen”
When we lived in Key West in the early 1970’s I walked home from a job down in Old Town to a place we rented in New Town. I’d pass over a bridge that was part of the Key West Bight. There was a very faded wooden barn-like building which housed some of the vessels of “Steadman’s Boatyard” (Since re-named to “Spencer’s”). The barn comparison was what I needed to use in that I grew up in the midwestern U.S. and boatyards were not part of my vocabulary until later. Little grills and smokers could be seen in use at Steadman’s and smelling the fragrance of fresh fish wafting up to the apex of the bridge from down below made me hungry. It still does. Boatyard need not be in walking distance.
Note: Many fish tacos call for a battered and fried fish. This one is touch lighter and can be done on the grill as indicated.. or a grill pan inside if needed.
Serves: 4 at 2 tacos per person.
For the Fish and Marinade: (This yields 2 1/2 Cups)
4) 5-6 ounce portions of fresh fish such as grouper or mahi or small (skin-on is fine) jack fish if you are so lucky
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¾ Cup pure olive oil
½ Cup soy sauce
1 orange, cut in half, squeezed
1 lemon, cut in half, squeezed
1 lime, cut in half, squeezed
6 whole black peppercorns, toasted
1/4 bulb of fennel, thinly sliced
½ red onion, thinly sliced
4-6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
2 ounces ginger, thinly sliced
Combine all the ingredients together, reserve. Marinate fish for 15-30 minutes. Soy can overpower any longer.
To Serve:
8 corn tortillas
See the Serving Notes below for the many accoutrements you can employ and go for it.
Heat up a grill. (Or a grill pan)
Have a lightly oiled clean towel and rub it on the grill. Now add on the fish and grill them until just cooked through. Times vary with the thickness of the fish. Remove fish and allow it to rest on a side plate. Fry up the corn tortillas in a pan with a slick of peanut or vegetable oil and fill them with the fish and stuffings you like as you go. Serve flat style or folded over style. Your tacos… your call.
Serving Notes: Avocado, shredded lettuce or a nice cole slaw you like, chilies, diced tomatoes or whatever else you like can dress these tacos.
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