I can’t believe I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for 10 years and I just made my first trip to Portland, Oregon. I’ve been everywhere else in this part of the country but for some reason a visit to Portland just never seemed to happen.
So, because we were highly intrigued, Ranger Craig and I recently visited Portland for a long weekend. It was a road trip. Much to my husbands dismay. He hates driving longer than 30 minutes at a time.
We were going to fly Charlie, our Cessna, but the weather wasn’t as cooperative as we’d like. Or, let’s just say it wasn’t as cooperative as I like.
We thought about the train, but I had the bright idea of a road trip. We should have taken the train.
Traffic, traffic and more traffic. I knew we’d (Ranger Craig) need a pint or two once we got to Portland. And we were in luck! We found Rogue Brewery in the Pearl District. Whoo Hoo!
As we were enjoying our pints of refreshing beverages, I spotted the famous Powell’s Bookstore down the street. I couldn’t finish my pint fast enough. I just had to browse this famous Portland landmark.
They say (Powell’s) it’s the largest bookstore in America. And large it is. Ranger Craig and I were in book heaven browsing that gigantic store. I barely made it out of the gardening, food and cooking section to sneak a peak at the mysteries.
After an hour (probably more like two) I found Ranger Craig in the main aisle. As I walked toward him juggling 7 books in my arms, Ranger Craig looked at me with those eyes that said… “how in the heck are you going to carry all those books back to the hotel”?
So, I put a few books back (actually three) but left the fabulous bookstore with my four favorites. (Ranger Craig carried them back to the hotel. 🙂 )
Of course a visit to Portland isn’t a visit unless you dine at one of the many fantastic restaurants in town. I admit, I hadn’t done much planning for this impromptu Portland visit and regretted my “see where the wind takes us” attitude. I remember my Grandma saying to me once “Little Miss, you always fly by the seat of your pants. You may regret that one day”. I think she was right in this case.
I couldn’t get reservations at Little Bird, Gabriel Rucker’s new restaurant, or a few other delectable restaurant’s I’d heard about. So, we dined in various small, but tasty, restaurants that provided the most divine oysters, seafood, fresh salads and fabulous wine. I couldn’t complain a snippet!
All delicious, fresh, locally sourced and mostly organic. That’s what I love about Portland. Attention to local, attention to quality and of course lots of creative flair. Creative flair, truly unique, and as one building sign stated “weird”. I love weird. 🙂
Simple Halibut Tacos with Spicy Slaw
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
1 ½ lbs Halibut (or other white flaky fish)
2 limes
Chile powder
Ground Cumin
Ground Coriander
Dried Oregano
Salt and Pepper
Drizzle of high heat oil (safflower, sunflower, etc)
Spicy Slaw (recipe below)
Corn tortillas
Crumbled Cotija cheese if desired (optional)
Directions
Pre-heat the oven to 350F. Assemble the Spicy Slaw (recipe below) and set aside.
Place the Halibut in a baking dish and squeeze juice of one lime over the fish. Then brush with oil.
Season the fish with a healthy sprinkling of Chile powder, ground coriander, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt and pepper. Seasoning as much or as little as you like.
Place the fish in the oven and roast for about 8-10 minutes, or until the fish is flaky and cooked through. Typically, fish will cook 10 minutes for every inch of thickness.
Remove the fish from the oven and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then flake the fish gently to fill the tacos.
While the fish is resting prepare the tortillas. I like these tacos served with freshly steamed or warmed corn tortillas. I usually steam my tortillas in a stove top steamer, microwave steam bowl or the top rack of my rice cooker.
Add the flaked fish to the steamed tortillas and fold like tacos, layering on a platter. Next fill each taco with some spicy slaw and serve with lime wedges and crumbled Cotija. Enjoy!
Spicy Slaw
Serves 4-6
Ingredients
2-3 cups thinly shredded Napa or savoy cabbage
¼ cup packed coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
¼ cup thin sliced green onions
¼ cup (or a little more if you like your slaw well dressed) Mayonnaise
½ – 1 teaspoon Sriracha or Tabasco or any other hot sauce you have on hand
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Pinch of sugar
Salt and pepper to taste
Directions
Whisk together the mayonnaise, sriracha, lemon juice, sugar salt and pepper. Place the cabbage, cilantro and green onions in a medium bowl and toss with the dressing.
Serve on tacos or pulled pork sandwiches. Yum!
Related articles
- Moroccan Roasted Fish (karistaskitchen.com)
- Blackened Tilapia Fish Tacos with Chipotle Aioli Sauce (muybuenocookbook.com)
- Spicy Cilantro Slaw with Cabbage and Carrots (emmycooks.com)
I’d love to go to Portland and try some of those amazing restaurants too Karista! Wouldn’t it be fun to get a group of us together and go for a long weekend? Gorgeous photos and divine looking recipe!
I’d love to go to Portland and try some of those great restaurants too Karista! Wouldn’t it be fun to have a long girls weekend there?! Gorgeous photos and divine looking recipe!
Thanks Maria! And Yes!! A girls weekend in Portland would be so much fun!!! Great idea 🙂
Fish tacos are my absolute favorite – can have them everyday haha – how did you know? 🙂 Love the slaw!
🙂 I could eat them everyday as well!
One of my favorite entrees to order at a restaurant when I am caught somewhere between wanting something somewhat healthy and something dependably delicious is fish tacos. These look sensational! I wouldn’t even think twice about ordering them!
Little Bird restaurant looks adorable — hopefully you can get in another time. 😉
Xoxo,
~ C
That’s so funny Cara, I do the same. Something tasty, but healthy all at the same time.
I gazed in the window of Little Bird for about 5 minutes. Hoping I might see the Chef. It was morning and I could smell the kitchen getting ready for dinner service. The aromas were divine! Someday. 🙂
Oh, yum, fish tacos! We made fish tacos with our spicy slaw this week too. 🙂 That sounds like a wonderful trip to Portland! I could spend days in Powell’s Books.
Haha! Emmy I agree, I could also spend days in Powell’s Books. I could also get lost! It’s huge!
Yum! These halibut tacos looks simply fantastic!
Thank you so much!
So glad you went!
Are you going for Feast in PDX in a few weekends? Would love it if you were.
As for this recipe..you had me at Spicy Slaw. I’m a lover of fish tacos anyway…but this would take it to the whole next level.
I haven’t heard about Feast! I will check it out because it sounds like something I’d love to attend. Ahhh… The spicy slaw. Sriracha always adds a little something extra to a dish. Have a great weekend Erina. 🙂
Definitely let me know if you decide to go…it should be a blast!
And yes…Sriracha makes everything better!
Well darn it and shoot! I teach classes 20th-22nd. 🙁 I can’t go this year. I will definitely have to put it on my calender next year and keep the date available. Take lots of pics and instagram so I can live Feast through your eyes!!
I love fish tacos and yours looks very yummy and something we can make in a busy work week. Keep these super easy weeknight meals coming. Love it!
Thanks Bam! I’m all about fresh, delicious and nutritious but achievable. Especially on a weeknight. Have a great weekend!
I am a sucker for fish tacos – these look absolutely fantastic!
Thanks Bill! I too love tacos but especially fish tacos. The spicy slaw takes it over the top. 🙂
Yummy slaw! I wish Hubby didn’t turn up his nose every time I suggested fish tacos…
Tilapia makes great cheap ones, by the way…Halibut is wicked expensive on this coast. Just try to find tilapia from South America rather than China….
I know any white flaky fish would be fab on these tacos. Do you guys ever get blue fish? I remember eating my weight in blue fish at Legal Seafood in Boston and I think there is one in Providence. Ahhh… I miss New England. 🙂 Especially this time of year.
This has been a good year for blues, but I’ve been on a striper binge! There’s a Legal in Providence, and one across from the airport in Warwick…We’ve eaten at both…
Wait a couple more weeks before ‘missing’ it too much – it feels more like Florida outside right now…
Love fish tacos…but you have me at SPICY slaw! So so appetizing!
Thanks Angie! Sometimes I make the spicy slaw as a side dish for grilled pork and chicken. Yum!
What an utterly delicious looking flavoursome slaw my friend 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Hey Thanks!! How are your studies my dear? Hope it’s going well!
We are long long overdue for a trip to Portland. Especially since we just started watching Portlandia- so funny and bizarre!
Powell’s – overwhelming and amazing. I like that they sell used books too.
Halibut tacos – Always a winner.
Wendy we recently started watching Portlandia and laugh til our eyes tear. Yes, so funny and bizarre! I think I could cruise Powell’s for a week and still not see every book. 🙂
Sounds like a lovely visit! I bought Savoy cabbage for the first time last week but have not yet tried it so this recipe is good timing for me 🙂
Oh good! I love savoy, and it’s yummy in this slaw as well as the napa. Enjoy!
We have been eating quite abit of Mexican lately, must try some fish tacos next, perfect for summer BBQs. There are too many good books about, it’s hard to choose which one so Im not surprised you bought a few
Loving the flavours for the halibut, and you’ve reminded me that I haven’t had that fish in a while, thank you!
Thanks Claire! We are fortunate to have loads of halibut in this part of the world and I try to serve it as often as I can before it goes out of season. And these days with school starting, quick and tasty is a must. Have a fabulous week!
I do love a good fish taco and these look so good. I also love that the fish is roasted instead of fried or grilled…and spicy slaw, right up my alley. I’d love to go to Portland some day. Meanwhile, I watch Portlandia and gawk, and laugh and still want to go!
Me too Betsy. Although I do love a good beer battered taco, sometimes I’m just not up for all the work and the calories. We’ve watched Portlandia as well and laugh til our sides hurt! It’s a fun and very walkable city. So unique and so many great places to dine!
Love Powell’s! My guy and I went 3 years ago, and loved much about the city. We thought the ease of public transportation was awesome… as were the eclectic food offerings and art/sculptures downtown. We stayed at the Lion and the Rose B&B which is owned and run by a couple of guys who ran away from life in San Francisco. Thoroughly enjoyable. Making your recipe for sure… but with Almond cheese. 🙂
It’s such a fun city and we too loved the ease of public transportation. Although my husband is a walker so we walked everywhere! We will have to try the Lion and the Rose B&B next time. Sounds wonderful! Love almond cheese too but I also like Daiya cheese. It’s a casien, lactose, wheat free, non dairy cheese that really tastes good. And the texture isn’t too bad either. Enjoy the tacos!