We begin today's show with an update on the Consent Decree, signed Thursday between Baltimore City and the U.S. Department of Justice, from WYPR Metro Reporter Kenny Burns, who tells us what the agreement to reform the Baltimore Police Department actually requires and what it will mean for policing policies and practices going forward.
Then, we check in with our local foodies for this month's edition of What Ya Got Cookin'? We’ll dive into the cuisine of the Chesapeake with Chef John Shields, author and owner of Gertrude’s Restaurant at the Baltimore Museum of Art. John is also the host of Coastal Cooking and Chesapeake Bay Cooking on Maryland Public Television. The Baltimore dining duo Kathy and Neal Patterson also join the conversation. They are the authors of the new book, Maryland's Chesapeake: How the Bay and Its Bounty Shaped a Cuisine.
The conversation turns to some of the region's diverse native and settler food traditions, and our guests discuss some of their favorite seafood-inspired recipes, one of which we share below:
Crispy Rockfish Tacos with Lime-Jicama Slaw and Avocado Cream
Serves 4
- Lime Jicama Slaw (recipe follows)
- 1 pound rockfish filet
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 ½ teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Oil for frying
- 16 fresh corn tortillas
- Avocado Cream (recipe follows)
- Salsa Fresca (recipe follows)
- Julienned radish – to garnish
- Lime wedges – to garnish
Prepare the Lime Jicama Slaw and refrigerate 1 hour before serving. Cut the rockfish filets into 1 ½-inch chunks. In a bowl, mix the flour and the seasonings and blend well. In a large skillet, pour oil to the depth of 1 ½-inches and heat until quite hot. Dust the rockfish pieces in the flour and shake off excess. In batches, fry the fish until golden brown and cooked through, turning once. Remove the pieces of fish with a slotted utensil and allow to drain on paper towels. Keep warm.
While cooking fish, heat a dry (not oiled) cast iron skillet and warm the tortillas for about 30 seconds on each side. Wrap tortillas in a damp towel and keep warm while heating the rest of the tortillas.
To assemble the tacos, place a spoonful of slaw in the center of each tortilla, followed by several pieces of fish, and a dollop of Avocado Cream. Garnish with a teaspoon of salsa, and julienned radish. Serve lime wedges on the side.
Lime-Jicama Slaw
- 1 cup shredded cabbage
- ½ cup shredded or julienned jicama
- ¼ cup chopped green onion
- ¼ cup julienned carrots
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- Juice of 2 limes
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
Mix ingredients together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour before serving
Avocado Cream
- 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pit removed
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ teaspoon Old Bay seasoning
- Juice of ½ lime
- Pinch of ground cumin
- Salt to taste
Place avocados in a bowl and mash well. Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
Salsa Fresca
- 3 large ripe tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced
- ½ red onion, finely diced
- 1 Serrano chili, seeded and minced
- 1 Jalapeno chili, seeded and minced
- Juice of 1 lime, or more to taste
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup finely chopped cilantro
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
