Let's Talk Shop by Danae DeShazer

The food trucks in Sarasota are back.

[Food trucks? Where? Why? Whaaat?]

You heard me. There are food trucks with delectable eats available at the Ringling Picnic area [Tues - Fri, 11am to 2pm]. It's a triangular-shaped grassy little area just West of 301 on Ringling Blvd (across from Shaner's and Evies). A group of us checked out the trucks TWICE this week, including gourmet sliders from Flying Sliders, sizzling fish tacos and quesadillas from Baja Boys Grill, mama's mac & cheese from O'Macalicious, and meatball subs from Feelin' Saucy.

I've been dreaming of fish tacos ever since we visited the trucks. Thank goodness for Fish Friday here at the Let's Talk Shop blog. Make food truck-style fish tacos at home using fresh tilapia, avocado, cilantro and corn tortillas and topping with a creamy onion-jalapeño mixture for poppin' flavor. [This recipe calls for tilapia, but I wouldn't mind if you did grouper instead... yum!]

Blackened Tilapia Baja Tacos

CREAMY JALAPENO-ONIONS:
1/4 cup reduced-fat sour cream
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 jalapeño pepper, seeded and chopped
1 cup thinly sliced white onion

FISH:
1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon dried oregano
3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
4 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
1 tablespoon canola oil

THE FINALE:
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
1/2 ripe peeled avocado, thinly sliced
4 lime wedges

1. Combine first sour cream, cilantro, lime juice and jalapeño in a food processor; process until smooth. Combine jalapeño sauce and onion in a small bowl. Set aside.

2. Combine spices in a bowl, then sprinkle evenly over fish fillets. Heat oil in a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish to pan; cook 3 minutes on each side or until desired degree of doneness.

3. Warm tortillas according to package directions. Divide fish, onion mixture, and avocado evenly among tortillas. Serve with lime wedges.

Ay ay ay!

Photo: Levi Brown; Styling: Thom Driver
Recipe via Cooking Light
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For fresh tilapia fillets, check out the Lotsa Lobster New England Seafood Market at 8780 S. Tamiami Trail in South Sarasota, FL. Call ahead at (941) 918-CLAW or check them out online here.

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