Fried-Fish Sandwiches With Jalapeño-Spiked Tomatoes

Queen Dana's Note:

From Food & Wine April 2009. According to Food & Wine "They’re great with a crisp Chilean Sauvignon Blanc. Try the peppery 2008 Root: 1 or the 2008 Montes Classic Series."

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 0 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• salt
• 2 ¼ cups club soda
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon hot paprika
• 4 (6 ounce) skinlesshaddock or 4 (6 ounce) hake fillets
• fresh ground pepper
• 2 medium tomatoes , thinly sliced
• 1 small yellow onion , thinly sliced
• 1 jalapeno , seeded and thinly sliced
• ¼ cup cilantro , coarsely chopped
• vegetable oil , for frying
• 4 kaiser rolls , split and toasted
• 4 large boston lettuce leaves

Directions:

1. Fill a large bowl with ice water. In a medium bowl, whisk 2 cups of the flour with 1 teaspoon of salt. Whisk in the club soda until the batter is smooth. Set the bowl in the ice bath; let stand until chilled, 10 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, combine the cumin with the oregano and paprika. Season the fish with salt and pepper and sprinkle with the spice mixture. In a large bowl, gently toss the tomatoes with the onion, jalapeño and cilantro and season with salt.
3. In a large, deep skillet, heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 350°. Place a rack over a rimmed baking sheet. Working with two at a time, dredge the fish fillets in the flour, shaking off any excess. Dip the fillets in the batter and fry, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 4 minutes; transfer to the rack. Repeat with the remaining fish.
4. Arrange the rolls on a work surface cut sides up. Top the bottom halves with the lettuce, fried fish and tomato mixture. Close the sandwiches and serve right away.