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How I Became Obsessed With Mexican Food (+ recipe)
My best childhood memories include big family BBQs at my grandparents’ house, jumping off the diving board anywhere my mom would let me, riding bikes with my brother Dana, and of course Mexico.
My grandfather’s parents were Mexican immigrants. He grew up in Texas in a bilingual home, then ultimately enlisted in the Army where he served in WWII and became a featherweight boxing champion. He was so good at boxing in fact, that he was ultimately recruited to fight with the Marine Corps as well.
After his service he met my blue-eyed, red-headed grandmother in LA. Together they were a spitting image of Ricky and Lucy Ricardo.
After getting married they opened a German sandwich shop and hofbrau in LA. Grandpa was the chef and I don’t know why he chose German food, but my guess is that he was trying desperately to assimilate into the country he loved so he and his family would not be stigmatized by his immigrant heritage. Spanish was never spoken in the home my mother grew up in.
By the time I came into the picture though we ate Mexican food a lot. Even though my mother was the one with Mexican heritage, my father was a self-proclaimed Mexiphile and it was a rare day that our home wasn’t stocked with homemade salsa and guacamole (pronounced wah-cah-moe-lay, please). Chips were optional.
We also traveled to Mexico frequently, most often making road trips to Baja where we would revel in fish tacos, ceviche and homemade tortillas that bring a tear to the eye. And once I was older of course, tequila y cerveza.
Fortunately, even while we were home in Southern California the large Mexican immigrant population made finding our favorite flavors easy (if you live near Orange in OC go to Tacos Jalisco, you can thank me later). To this day one of the hardest things about living in NYC for me is the sad Mexican food scene.
My grandfather was an amazing human. He had an infectious laugh, loved his CA Angels even though they were terrible his entire life, and had a mean golf swing up into his 80s when cancer finally took his life.
This country, and certainly my own life, is far better off when we welcome people like my grandfather and his hard working parents. It is also far more delicious.
This article is part of the #ImmigrationIsTasty campaign that is celebrating immigrant food stories this week. As food bloggers, we have a deep appreciation for how much the diversity of the US melting pot improves our lives and our kitchens. Huge thanks to rockstar chef Sarah Burchard for creating the recipe below.
Fish Tacos With Mexican Slaw And Jicama-Mango Salsa
By Sarah Burchard
Ingredients
- TACOS (makes 6)
- 1 pound snapper or cod fillets, skin and bones removed
- ½ teaspoon ancho chile powder
- salt and pepper to taste
- Non-stick cooking spray (canola or coconut oil)
- 6 corn tortillas
- lime wedges
- hot sauce (optional)
- SLAW
- 1 cup red cabbage, sliced thin
- ½ cup (about ½ each) carrot, grated or julienned
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 1 Tablespoon (about ¼ each) jalapeno, sliced thin
- Juice from ½ a lime
- salt and pepper to taste
- SALSA
- 1 cup (about ½ each) jicama, peeled and diced
- ½ cup mango, peeled and diced
- ¼ cup red onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons cilantro, chopped
- Juice from a ¼ orange
- Juice from ½ a lime
- salt and pepper to taste
Preparation
In a small bowl mix together slaw ingredients. Set aside.
In a separate small bowl mix together the salsa ingredients and set aside.
Set your oven to broil.
Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil and spray lightly with non-stick cooking spray.
Season the fish on both sides with the ancho chile powder, salt and pepper. Place on the prepared sheet pan and lightly spray the top of the filets with oil.
Place fish under the broiler for 10 minutes.
While the fish is cooking wrap the tortillas in aluminum foil. Place them in the oven on the rack under the fish to warm through.
Remove the fish from the oven and flake it apart with a fork into bite-sized pieces.
Remove the tortillas from the oven, fill each one with fish, slaw and salsa. Serve lime wedges and hot sauce on the side.
Sarah Burchard, a.k.a. “The Healthy Locavore” is a natural foods chef, certified health coach and writer. Her offerings center around locally grown and made food, holistic health and supporting her community.
Darya:
After spending a week in Mexico last week, it only confirmed what I have seen here in America… People from Mexico are some of the nicest people you will meet. There is nothing warmer than some of the smiles and greetings I received from random people last week.
I have also learned what great food Mexican food can be for a healthy diet. Usually the food is stripped down to some bare, natural essentials without all of the extra garbage.
Just like the fish taco recipe. Lots of good protein, a portion of great veggies. All healthy food.
You are so right… We are far better off welcoming people like your grandfather into the mix. Makes life way more rich for everyone.
I’m a bit confused- the recipe for the salsa and the slaw are the same. Is this an error?
Love your post. I think diversity is one of humanity’s greatest strengths. And, thanks to marrying a Mexican, I now know how to appreciate spicy food, after avoiding it for most of my life.
That was my bad. Thanks for the heads up, should be fixed now.
Perfect recipe, looks like it was made for me, I have to do it urgently, I was looking for something like that, thank you very much for the recipe.
Hi Darya! I just love your post. Most of my childhood memories are also from family BBQ’s at my grandparent’s place, hahah. Love the recipe, can’t wait to try it.
Hi Darya! I loved this fish taco recipe. Will cook very soon.
HMMMMMMM. I love tacos. Its my favorite dish. Good one.
I recently spent 3 weeks in the south of Mexico and it was probably the best time of my life. The people, food, culture, language and the welcome I felt was like no other place on earth. While I’ve been there several times before the last was the best as I found the cutest and most popular taqueria ever. This place was my go to! Now that I’m back home I’m so glad to have found this healthy alternative to remind me of the place I loved so much. I swear I was probably Mexican in my past life, that’s how much I love the food and the people. Thanks for sharing your story Daryl 🙂
I’m waiting for the next edition
I like tomato!
Hi Darya! I loved this fish taco recipe. Its my favorite dish
Hi Darya! I loved this fish taco recipe. Its my favorite dish