by Christina Cush | March 28, 2017

The Spread: Everybody Loves Tacos 

A West Palm Beach chef shares his favorite home-cooked small plates, perfect for parties

SHARE IF YOU ENJOYED IT
Chef Clay Carnes; Photography by Alex Celis

Chef Clay Carnes; Photography by Alex Celis

Clay Carnes, 32, says he’s never met a person who hates tacos. That’s because his signature organic-corn hand-helds are making quite a name for his new Latin street food restaurant, Cholo Soy Cocina, which opened last September in West Palm Beach. Carnes draws inspiration from his family’s Ecuadorian heritage in creating Andean-American dishes like snapper tacos and grilled street corn—a fan favorite, even if it does get stuck in people’s teeth. The Floridian has been cooking since the age of five and now shares his love of food with his two young sons and nephews. In fact, the boys often gather around Carnes’s newly renovated home kitchen island to nosh on a gorgeous taco buffet. “So I can work and talk at the same time,” he says. The Sunshine State’s succulent produce and plentiful fish, including red snapper, star in many of Carnes’s recipes. “I love the seafood here. Always have,” he says. His secret to winning over discerning South Florida palates at work and at home? “People would be surprised by how bent on using the highest quality products we are…but again, that’s why they come back,” Carnes says. “Because we don’t settle.”


Clay Carnes’ friends-approved fish tacos. Photography by Alex Celis

Clay Carnes’ friends-approved fish tacos. Photography by Alex Celis

Tempura Batter Fish Tacos

Serves 4
  • 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 cups chilled soda water
  • 1 ounce soy sauce
  • 2 fresh snapper filets
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 3 cups vegetable oil
  • shredded organic purple cabbage
  • lime juice from one fresh lime
  • cilantro
  • pinch of salt
  • 4 soft tortillas
  • diced pineapple or mango

PREPARATION:  For tempura batter, lightly mix flour, water and soy sauce until mixture reaches the consistency of runny pancake batter. Whisk continuously, but be careful not to over mix. Slice snapper filets into strips and lightly coat with cornstarch. Heat oil to 350 degrees in a deep fryer or sauté pan. Dip filets into tempura batter and fry for five minutes. Toss purple cabbage with juice from one fresh lime, cilantro and salt. Lightly toast tortilla in a dry skillet. Place fried fish on tortilla. Top with cabbage mix. Sprinkle with diced pineapple or mango. Drizzle with passion fruit mayo.


Add pizzazz to grilled street corn with passion fruit mayo. Photography by Alex Celis

Add pizzazz to grilled street corn with passion fruit mayo. Photography by Alex Celis

Street Corn with Passion Fruit Mayo

Serves 4
  • sweet corn
  • 4 ears corn, shucked
  • olive oil
  • queso fresco
  • passion fruit mayo (recipe below)
  • blackening spice
  • sea salt
  • 4 tablespoons organic scallions, sliced
  • 1 lime, cut into wedges

PREPARATION: Coat corn with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and grill on medium-high until golden brown on all sides. Remove from grill, sprinkle with queso fresco and bake in oven on 350 degrees (or on grill top) until cheese is melted. Transfer to serving dish. Sprinkle blackening spice and sea salt to taste. Top with scallions. Drizzle with passion fruit mayo. Serve with lime wedge on side.

Passion Fruit Mayo

  • 1/2 cup mayo
  • 1/8 cup passion fruit juice
  • favorite hot sauce (to taste)
  • pinch of salt

PREPARATION: Whisk ingredients together and set aside.


more from Chef Carnes

Sangria Social: Say “hola” to a bubbly citrus-infused thirst-quencher for (macho) spring flings