If it ain’t broke, don’t repair it. The saying applies to numerous issues, but it surely’s very true when speaking about the right way to prepare dinner catfish, particularly Southern catfish cooking. I’m not suggesting that it’s mistaken to get experimental with recent catfish, in fact. It’s a light, 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 after I’ve had it in states like Louisiana and Mississippi. And Southerners haven’t strayed from conventional cooking strategies for a purpose. Should you’ve bought a bead on a scorching catfish chunk and wish to honor your harvest correctly in your kitchen, it’s laborious to beat these two timeless preparations.
Tips on how to Prepare dinner Catfish: A Traditional 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 truly quite simple, the caveat being the oil. Small deep fats fryers routinely keep their temperature setting all through the cooking course of, however for those who’re utilizing forged iron on a range prime, it’s important that you just alter the burner as wanted so the oil doesn’t get too far above or under 350 levels. A kitchen thermometer is crucial for management, and with out it, you’ll be able to simply wind up with oil-soaked soggy fillets or a pile of burned catfish.
Substances
- 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 sure that 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 elements 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 good coating on all sides. Now’s the time to ensure 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 a great 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 preferred condiment for slathering on fried catfish, contemplate some alternate options. A sprinkle of malt vinegar pays tribute to English-style fish and chips and performs effectively 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: Tips on how to Fry Fish: The Final Information on Every little thing from Oil Temperature to Batter Recipes
Tips on how to Prepare dinner Catfish: Blackened Catfish
Blackening is a preparation used on all kinds of fish, but it surely works particularly effectively on catfish. Although you can also make it in any pan, forged iron is most popular 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 in the marketplace, right here’s the right way to make your individual.
Substances
- 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 sure that they’re combined totally.
2. Soften 1 / 4 stick of butter in a small bowl within the microwave. Brush it on one facet of the catfish fillets.
3. Liberally coat the buttered facet 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 facet 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 typically 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 prime of a recent salad works effectively, too.
Learn Subsequent: What Do Catfish Eat?
Closing Ideas on Tips on how to Prepare dinner Catfish
Positive you will get wild with catfish recipes however it is best to begin with the fundamentals first. You received’t be disenchanted with both of those recipes and when you’ve bought a great understanding of how good catfish will be, then you’ll be able to experiment with it and see if different recipes stand as much as the standard ones.
