Cajun Catfish Tacos Recipes

CATFISH TACOS

Steps:

• For the catfish: Whisk together the buttermilk, 1 tablespoon of the seafood seasoning, 1 teaspoon of the chipotle and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add the fish, cover and let soak, refrigerated, for 10 to 15 minutes.
• For the fiesta slaw: While the fish is soaking, whisk together the mayonnaise, crema, lime juice, paprika, salt, pepper and hot sauce. Add the cabbages, cilantro, carrots and green onions and toss to coat.
• Whisk together the cornmeal, flour and remaining 1 tablespoon seafood seasoning and 1 teaspoon chipotle in a shallow dish or paper bag. Drain the catfish, shaking off any remaining marinade (discard the remaining marinade). Place 3 to 4 pieces of fish in the cornmeal mixture and shake/flip until they are coated. Remove the fish to a clean plate or baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining fish.
• Add about 1 inch of canola oil to a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat and heat to about 375 degrees F.
• Add the fish to the skillet a few pieces at a time. Fry on each side until golden brown all over, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to a baking sheet with a cooling rack. Repeat with the remaining fish.
• Toast the tortillas in a cast-iron skillet or over an open flame. Add 2 pieces of fish to each tortilla and top with the fiesta slaw. Serve with lime wedges, cilantro and red onions.

BLACKENED CATFISH TACOS

Steps:

• Coat a grill rack with oil and preheat the grill on high for 5 minutes.
• Place the blackening seasoning in a shallow baking dish. Roll the catfish in the seasoning until well coated. Reduce the grill to medium-high, and grill the onions over direct heat until well browned and wilting, turning once, about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, grill the fish over direct heat until cooked through, turning once, about 6 minutes. At the same time, place the tortillas directly on the grill for 1 minute per side. Stack the tortillas and wrap them in foil or a clean towel to keep warm.
• Arrange the fish on a plate, and flake into bite-size pieces with a fork. Transfer the onions to a separate plate. Place the tomatoes, avocado, sour cream, lime wedges and cilantro in separate bowls. Set out with the warm tortillas and hot sauce, and invite guests to make their own tacos.

CAJUN BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix together the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, oregano, and thyme until thoroughly combined. Press the catfish fillets into the spice mixture to thoroughly coat.
• Arrange a portable heat source outdoors, such as a butane burner or side burner of a gas grill. Melt butter in a glass or metal bowl. Light the burner, and place a large cast-iron skillet onto the burner over high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of melted butter into the skillet; set remaining 1/2 cup of butter aside.
• When the butter in the skillet is smoking hot, lay the catfish fillets into the skillet. Cook until the spices are burned onto the fillets and the catfish is opaque and flaky inside, about 3 minutes per side. Don't breathe smoke from burning spices. To serve, pour remaining 1/2 cup of butter over the catfish.

CAJUN CATFISH TACOS WITH CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• TO MARINATE THE FISH: Pat the fillets dry and spread them in 1 layer on a rimmed 13 by 18-inch baking sheet. (They can be close together, even touching, but not overlapping.) Liberally sprinkle Cajun seasoning on both sides of the fillets. Puree the chipotle peppers (minus the 2 reserved chiles) and their sauce in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade. Add the lemon juice and olive oil and pulse a few times until the mixture is combined. Pour the mixture over the seasoned catfish. Cover the fish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F. Bake until the fish begins to flake when pulled apart with a fork, 20 to 25 minutes. Keep warm.
• TO MAKE THE CHIPOTLE MAYONNAISE: Whirl the mayonnaise, reserved 2 chipotle chiles, lime juice, Creole mustard, and salt in the work bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade until blended. Scrape into a small bowl and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• TO SERVE: Use a spatula to cut the fish into manageable portions and leave them on the baking sheet so guests can serve themselves. Set out the warm tortillas, sliced cabbage, chipotle mayo, and lime wedges, allowing guests to custom-build their own tacos. Have the salad on the table to serve with the tacos.
• Cucumber-Tomato- Avocado Salad
• Place the cucumber, tomatoes, and avocados in a large bowl. In another bowl, whisk together the vinegar, mustard, salt, freshly ground pepper to taste, and olive oil. Add the dressing to the vegetables and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
• do it early
• As long as the chipotle mayo is prepared with commercially made mayonnaise, it will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

BLACKENED CATFISH TACOS

Steps:

• For the ma and pa slaw: Whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, vinegar and sugar in a large bowl. Add the red and green cabbage and toss until thoroughly coated.
• For the blackened catfish tacos: Heat a medium skillet over medium heat. Working in batches if necessary, add the tortillas and warm 15 seconds per side; keep warm while you fry the catfish.
• Coat one side of each piece of catfish with Creole seasoning. Put the oil in a medium skillet over medium heat; when hot, add the catfish seasoned-side down and cook until blackened, about 5 minutes. Flip, and cook on the second side until an instant-read thermometer reads 145 degrees F., about 5 more minutes.
• Put 1 piece of catfish on each tortilla. Top with some slaw, onions and 2 slices of the avocado. Garnish each with a dollop of thousand island dressing and a few leaves of cilantro, if using. Serve immediately.