Fish Tacos (And So it Begins...)

Graham and I decided to start off on a good note with a nice, traditional meal of Fish Tacos with Black Beans and Rice (also, this is the first time we actually remembered to document the cooking process).  Some of the photography may be a little sloppy, and we may have left out a few steps, but hey, nowhere to go but up from here.

STEP 1: Modelo with Lime:

Corona will work if you're a woman.

STEP 2: Ingredients Assemble!

Note: the dishsoap does not go on the tacos, it just snuck into the frame.

Ingredients: white fish (in this case, tilapia), spices (coarse salt, black pepper, chipotle powder, cumin, paprika), limes, garlic, black beans, canned chipotle peppers, onion, tortillas, cilantro, rice, tomatoes, and lettuce (not all pictured).

THE FISH:
Take several filets 'o' fish and season liberally with aforementioned spices:

About equal parts cumin and paprika, however much chipotle you can handle (wuss), and dash of salt and pepper.

Now set that aside to let the flavor soak in while you turn your attention to...

BEANS AND RICE:
Cook the rice (you know how to cook rice).  As for the beans, start with a healthy portion of bacon, chopped:

Meanwhile, dice about a quarter onion and 3-4 chipotles.  Once the bacon has cooked mostly through (but not crispy) add the onion, peppers, and a clove or 2 of garlic thusly:

Mmmm.

When onions are translucent, add beans and simmer. (Never hurts to add a dash of beer as well.)

MEANWHILE, BACK TO THE FISH!
While them beans and rice cook, heat up some olive oil in a pan/griddle.  When hot, add some fishies:

 While these cook you can warm up some tortillas.  They only take a few seconds per side on a hot, dry pan.  Just enough so they won't break when handled. By now the stove should look about like this:

Apparently the rice is done, so we set it aside to cool.

Be sure not to overdo the fish.  You'll know it's time to flip when you see the bottom half is mostly cooked through.  If memory serves me it took us bout 10 minutes per filet, but use your best judgement. 

Pictured: our best judgement.

When the rice comes off, add some cilantro and a squeeze or two of lime juice.  Also, now is as good a time as any to chop up some tomatoes and lettuce.  And now, the big moment...

TACO CONSTRUCTION!

Fancy tablecloth/dish towel not included.

Serve up a decent portion of rice and beans, and add some cilantro, tomato, lettuce, hot sauce, and fish to warm tortillas.

STEP 7...OR SO (lost count)

EAT!

This is just the first Food Experience of many (recipe isn't a strong enough word), and we promise the pictures and directions will improve in quality over time.  Well the pictures at least.  As far as the food goes, we're just guessing half the time.