Family-Style Fish Tacos

Step 1

Place a rack in center of oven; preheat to 300°. Place 1 1½-lb. piece white fish in a 13x9" baking dish. Season all over with 1½ tsp. salt.

Step 2

Trim and discard stems of 2 jalapeños, cut in half lengthwise, then coarsely chop. Coarsely chop three-quarters of 1 bunch of cilantro leaves with tender stems.

Step 3

Transfer jalapeños and chopped cilantro to a blender or food processor. Add ⅓ cup vegetable oil and 2 garlic cloves. Blend on high speed until a coarse purée forms. Scoop out and transfer 2 Tbsp. sauce to a medium bowl (you’ll be building your pico de gallo in this.) Pour remaining sauce evenly over fish, spreading with the back of a spoon.

Step 4

Bake fish until it flakes away with light pressure from the tines of a fork in the thickest part, 18–25 minutes, depending on the thickness of fillet and what type of fish you’re using. Start checking on the early end of things so it doesn’t overcook!

Step 5

While fish bakes, work on the rest of your toppings. Quarter 1 pint cherry tomatoes and transfer to bowl with reserved cilantro sauce. Peel ¼ white onion, then finely chop. Add to sauce and toss to combine.Cut 1 lime in half and squeeze juice of both halves into bowl. Season with 1 tsp. salt and toss to combine.

Step 6

Shave off core of ¼ head of cabbage. Thinly slice crosswise into shreds and transfer to a medium bowl. Cut another lime in half and squeeze juice into bowl; season with salt. Toss with your hands to combine.

Step 7

Cut remaining 2 limes into wedges for serving.

Step 8

Run knife around pit of 1 avocado lengthwise to split in half. Open avocado. Using bottom half of knife, remove pit by securing the blade in the pit, then turning it sideways to release. Using a large spoon, scoop out flesh, then cut into thin lengthwise wedges. Transfer to a large platter or board. Season avocado with salt.

Step 9

Arrange cabbage, pico de gallo, and remaining cilantro and lime wedges on platter as well.

Step 10

Warm 24 corn tortillas or 12 flour tortillas one at a time over a burner set to medium heat until blackened around the edges in some spots, about 30 seconds per side. Keep tortillas wrapped in a stack in a clean kitchen towel to keep warm until serving.

Step 11

Using a large spoon, gently flake apart fish into large irregular pieces and transfer to a plate. Serve fish along with all the accoutrements and your fave hot sauce for a DIY taco party.