Crispy Charales Tacos

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450g) charales 1 pound (450g) charales
• 1 teaspoon chili powder 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• 8 small corn tortillas 8 small corn tortillas
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish
• Diced onions, for garnish Diced onions, for garnish
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 12g, 2g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 18g, 1g
• Protein: 18g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.8g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, garlic powder, and salt.
2. 2.
   Rinse the charales under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
3. 3.
   Place the charales in a shallow dish and sprinkle the spice mixture over them. Toss gently to coat the fish evenly.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
5. 5.
   Carefully add the charales to the hot oil and fry until golden and crispy, about 3-4 minutes. Flip them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
6. 6.
   Remove the charales from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. 7.
   Warm the corn tortillas in a dry skillet or directly over a flame until pliable.
8. 8.
   To assemble the tacos, place a few charales in each tortilla and garnish with fresh cilantro and diced onions.
9. 9.
   Serve the Crispy Charales Tacos with lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Charales — Make sure to rinse the charales thoroughly under cold water to remove any impurities before marinating them. Pat them dry with a paper towel to ensure they fry up crispy.

Tips & Tricks

• If you can't find charales, you can substitute them with small whitebait or smelt fish.
• For an extra kick of heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper to the spice mixture.
• Serve the tacos with a side of Mexican salsa or guacamole for added flavor.
• To make the tacos even more filling, add some shredded lettuce or cabbage to the filling.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, reduce the amount of chili powder in the spice mixture.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Charales Tacos immediately after assembling to ensure the charales remain crispy. Provide lime wedges on the side for squeezing over the tacos, as the tangy citrus juice enhances the flavors.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Crispy Charales Tacos on a platter, garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and diced onions. The vibrant colors of the garnishes will add visual appeal to the dish. Serve with a side of lime wedges for an inviting presentation.