Cornmeal Crusted Fish Tacos with Rhubarb Salsa

Instructions

• Fill 2/3 of a large bowl with cold water and add a couple handfuls of ice (this is an ice bath). Set aside.

• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a boil. Add rhubarb and cook for 20 seconds. Scoop the rhubarb out of the water with a slotted spoon directly into the ice bath. Chill for a minute, then drain and transfer to a paper towel lined baking sheet. Dry by blotting with additional paper towels (the rhubarb doesn’t need to be completely dry, just not dripping wet). Once dry, transfer rhubarb to a medium bowl and fold in spring onion, jalapeño and cocktail onions. In a small bowl, mix honey into 1 tablespoon of vinegar then stir into salsa. Season with kosher salt and chipotle powder to taste. If you find your salsa is a bit too tart, you can add more honey.

• Preheat oven to 200°F.

• Place cornmeal in a shallow bowl and season with a healthy amount of kosher salt and a sprinkling of chipotle powder, stirring to combine. Roll strips of fish in the seasoned cornmeal. Coat the entire surface of the fish with cornmeal, shake off the excess, then transfer to a plate (I used a baking sheet).

• Warm 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet. Sauté fish until lightly browned and cooked through (about 1 to 2 minutes each side). Do this in several batches to avoid crowding the pan. Once you complete a batch, transfer for a heatproof dish, cover and keep warm in the oven while the other batches are cooking.

• Once you have cooked all of the fish, add the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil to the same skillet and warm over medium heat. Add the sliced onions and cook until golden brown, stirring occasionally. Add remaining 2 tablespoons of vinegar, stir to deglaze the pan and remove from heat.

• Wrap the tortillas in a lightly dampened paper towel and warm in the microwave for 20 – 30 seconds. Stir 2 tablespoons of chopped cilantro into the rhubarb salsa.

• To assemble, lay 1 to 2 strips of fish across the center of the tortilla. Top with caramelized onions and a spoonful of rhubarb salsa. Finish with a sprinkling of chopped cilantro.