Best Southwest Spicy Fish Sandwich Recipes

HOT AND CRISPY FISH SANDWICH

Steps:

• For the crispy fish: Heat 1 inch vegetable oil to 375 degrees F in a heavy-bottomed pan. Season the fish with salt and pepper on both sides.
• In a bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs and 2 tablespoons hot sauce. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cayenne, chili powder and 1 teaspoon each garlic powder and paprika.
• In a small saucepan (or in the microwave), melt the butter with the honey, remaining 2 tablespoons hot sauce and a pinch each garlic powder and paprika.
• In batches, dip the fish fillets into the egg mixture, coating each side, then let the excess drip off. Dredge in the flour mixture, coating each side. Fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Transfer the fish to a baking sheet fitted with a wire rack. Use a pastry brush to coat each fillet with the melted butter mixture.
• For the sandwiches: Serve the fish on the toasted hoagie rolls with tartar sauce, shredded iceberg, sliced tomato and pickles.

NASHVILLE HOT HALIBUT SANDWICH

Steps:

• In a large pot over high heat, combine 1 cup (240 ml) of the canola oil and the Scotch bonnet, bird's eye, and jalapeño chiles and cook until a deep-fry thermometer reaches 350°F (175°C). Turn off the heat and let steep for 30 minutes. Working in 2 batches, pour into a blender and blend until smooth. Pass through a fine chinois or strainer into a medium pot. Heat again, then add the butter, cayenne, and paprika and stir with a whisk. Set aside and keep warm.
• In a large Dutch oven, heat the remaining 4 cups (800 ml) canola oil over medium-low heat to 320°F (160°C).
• Mix the flour and salt in a medium bowl, whisk the eggs in another medium bowl, and put the panko in a third medium bowl. Dust a piece of fish in the flour, then dip in the eggs, then coat in the panko. Place on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining halibut.
• Once the oil has come up to temperature, use a spider to carefully lower 2 pieces of the breaded halibut into the oil. Cook until golden and the internal temperature is 275°F (135°C), 4 to 6 minutes. Scoop out the fish and rest on a baking sheet with a rack set on it. Repeat with the remaining halibut and spoon the hot chile oil over it until the fish is covered and glossy.
• Build your sandwiches: Lay out the bottom bread, mayo, then pickles, the halibut, followed by the cheese and onion slices. Slather mayo on the top bread and squish the sando down.

SOUTHWEST SPICY FISH SANDWICH

Steps:

• Heat olive oil on medium high in a large frying pan. Sprinkle tilapia fillets liberally with southwest seasoning. When oil is hot, add fillets. Cook 3 minutes on each side. Remove fish to a plate.
• Slice cheese into thin slices. Make chipotle mayonnaise (see recipe below).
• Heat grill pan to medium high. Lightly butter the buns and grill, buttered side down until browned. Add thinly sliced cheese to the bottom of each bun. Melt the cheese under a broiler or toaster oven and remove from oven. Add a fish filet to each bun. Place a romaine lettuce leaf on top of the fish. Add 1 tablespoon of chipotle mayonnaise to each bun top and place the bun on top of lettuce.
• Chipotle Mayonnaise Recipe:.
• Place one 7 or 8 oz. can of chipotle peppers in adobe sauce in food processor. Pulse until peppers are well chopped. Add 3 tablespoons of the chipotle sauce to 1 cup of mayonnaise. Freeze or refrigerate remaining chipotle sauce for future use. Refrigerate remaining chipotle mayonnaise.