RECIPE

Fried-Fish Sandwiches with Jalapeño-Spiked Tomatoes

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4

"These should look much too big to eat with your bare hands," says Alex Aguilera about his crispy fish sandwiches.

  • ACTIVE:
  • TOTAL TIME: 30 MIN
  • SERVINGS: 4
  • FAST
  • STAFF-FAVORITE

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
    1. All-purpose flour
    2. Salt
    3. 2 1/4 cups club soda
    4. 1 teaspoon ground cumin
    5. 1 teaspoon dried oregano
    6. 1 teaspoon hot paprika
    7. Four 6-ounce skinless haddock or hake fillets
    8. Freshly ground pepper
    9. 2 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
    10. 1 small yellow onion, thinly sliced
    11. 1 jalapeño, seeded and thinly sliced
    12. 1/4 cup coarsely chopped cilantro
    13. Vegetable oil, for frying
    14. 4 kaiser rolls, split and toasted
    15. 4 large Boston lettuce leaves

Directions

  1. Fill a large bowl with ice water. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 cups of the flour with 1 teaspoon of salt. Whisk in the club soda until the batter is smooth. Set the bowl in the ice bath; let stand until chilled, 10 minutes.
  2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cumin with the oregano and paprika. Season the fish with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the spice mixture. In a large bowl, gently toss the tomatoes with the onion, jalapeño and cilantro and season with salt.
  3. In a large, deep skillet, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°. Place a rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Working with two at a time, dredge the fish fillets in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the fillets in the batter and fry, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 4 minutes; transfer to the rack. Repeat with the remaining fish.
  4. Arrange the rolls on a work surface cut sides up. Top the bottom halves with the lettuce, fried fish and tomato mixture. Close the sandwiches and serve right away.