If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. The saying applies to loads of issues, but it surely’s very true when speaking about easy methods to prepare dinner catfish, particularly Southern catfish cooking. I’m not suggesting that it’s incorrect to get experimental with contemporary catfish, in fact. It’s a gentle, white-meat fish, which implies you are able to do something with it that you’d with flounder, or walleye, or crappie.
It’s simply that I’ve by no means eaten catfish that tasted higher than once I’ve had it in states like Louisiana and Mississippi. And Southerners haven’t strayed from conventional cooking strategies for a motive. When you’ve obtained a bead on a hot catfish bite and wish to honor your harvest correctly in your kitchen, it’s exhausting to beat these two timeless preparations.
How you can Prepare dinner Catfish: A Basic Southern Fry
This recipe—or a darn shut model of it—is leaned on at household fish fries and roadside catfish joints throughout the South. It’s really quite simple, the caveat being the oil. Small deep fats fryers mechanically keep their temperature setting all through the cooking course of, however when you’re utilizing forged iron on a range high, it’s vital that you simply alter the burner as wanted so the oil doesn’t get too far above or beneath 350 levels. A kitchen thermometer is crucial for management, and with out it, you possibly can simply wind up with oil-soaked soggy fillets or a pile of burned catfish.
Components
- 4 to six medium to massive catfish fillets, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 tbsp garlic powder
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper (non-compulsory)
- 2 tbsp smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp yellow mustard
- ½ cup scorching sauce
- 1 ½ cup corn meal
- 1 ½ all-purpose flour
- 2 eggs
- Canola oil
1. Begin by mixing all of the dry spices in a small bowl. Be certain they’re totally mixed.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, mix the flour, corn meal, and a couple of or 3 tablespoons of the spice combination. After the dry batter is totally combined, switch it to a one-gallon zip-seal bag and set it apart.
3. In a big mixing bowl, beat the 2 eggs, then add the mustard, scorching sauce, and the rest of the dry spice combine. Whisk till these components are included and have a paste-like consistency.
4. Drop the catfish fillets into the moist combination and toss them together with your arms to make sure a fair coating on all sides. Now could be the time to verify your cooking oil has reached the proper temperature.
5. Drop a number of fillets within the zip-seal bag, shut it tightly, and provides it an excellent shake. Switch the coated fillets from the bag immediately into the recent oil.
6. Let the fillets fry for 3 to five minutes relying on thickness, or till the breading is golden-brown and crispy. Place completed fillets on a mesh drying rack to chill and drain when you shake and drop the subsequent batch.
Ending Tip
Whereas scorching sauce is arguably the most well-liked condiment for slathering on fried catfish, take into account some alternate options. A sprinkle of malt vinegar pays tribute to English-style fish and chips and performs nicely with Southern-style seasoning. If you would like one thing a bit richer and creamier, combine 1 / 4 cup of mayonnaise with the juice from half a lemon, 2 tablespoons of scorching sauce, a teaspoon of garlic powder, cracked black pepper, and a bit minced horseradish.
Learn Subsequent: How to Fry Fish: The Ultimate Guide on Everything from Oil Temperature to Batter Recipes
How you can Prepare dinner Catfish: Blackened Catfish
Blackening is a preparation used on all kinds of fish, but it surely works particularly nicely on catfish. Although you may make it in any pan, forged iron is most well-liked for its potential to warmth evenly and keep a scorching temperature. Blackened merely means closely coated in a spicy seasoning and seared in fats or oil in a short time at excessive warmth. Although there’s no scarcity of pre-made blackening seasonings available on the market, right here’s easy methods to make your personal.
Components
- 2 to 4 medium catfish fillets, rinsed and patted dry
- 1 stick of salted butter
- 1 tbsp onion powder
- 1 tbsp cayenne pepper
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp dried basil
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp dried thyme
1. Mix all of the dry spices in a small bowl. Be certain they’re combined totally.
2. Soften 1 / 4 stick of butter in a small bowl within the microwave. Brush it on one aspect of the catfish fillets.
3. Liberally coat the buttered aspect of the fillets with the spice combine.
4. Soften the remaining butter in a forged iron skillet. Ideally, the temperature will hover round 400 levels.
5. Place the fillets within the skillet coated aspect down. Now brush the uncovered sides with melted butter and liberally coat them with the remainder of the spice combine.
6. After roughly three minutes, flip the fillets and prepare dinner for an additional three minutes. Monitor the temperature and alter as wanted so the skillet stays scorching.
Ending Tip
Whereas blackened catfish is scrumptious by itself, it’s usually paired with a starch. It’s decadent served over a heap of tacky grits, however I’ve even seen it accompany Cajun mashed potatoes. I’ve additionally had it served over pasta with a creamy, spicy Cajun model of Alfredo sauce. Too wealthy? Blackened catfish on high of a contemporary salad works nicely, too.
Learn Subsequent: What Do Catfish Eat?
Remaining Ideas on How you can Prepare dinner Catfish
Positive you may get wild with catfish recipes however you must begin with the fundamentals first. You gained’t be upset with both of those recipes and when you’ve obtained an excellent understanding of how good catfish will be, then you possibly can experiment with it and see if different recipes stand as much as the standard ones.