Catfish Pilaf Recipes

CORNMEAL-CRUSTED CATFISH

Steps:

• Stir together the milk and 1 heaping tablespoon of the House Seasoning. Pour the milk mixture into a shallow baking dish large enough to hold the filets. Spread the filets in an even layer in the dish, turning to coat each side. Let marinate for about 1 hour in a cool place or the refrigerator.
• Pour enough oil into a large Dutch oven to come 2 inches up the side. Clip a deep-fry thermometer to the pot and heat over medium-high heat until the thermometer reaches 370 degrees F.
• Meanwhile, stir together the cornmeal, flour and remaining 1 heaping tablespoon House Seasoning in a paper bag. Working with a few filets at a time, remove them from the marinade, allowing any excess to drip off. Place them in the paper bag and gently turn the bag over several times until the filets are evenly coated with the cornmeal mixture. Remove the filets and place them on a baking sheet while you repeat the process with the remaining filets.
• Working in batches, fry the filets until golden brown and crisp on the outside and moist and flaky inside, adjusting the heat to maintain temperature, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a clean wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet to drain. Serve the filets with lemon wedges.
• Stir together the garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a small bowl.

PAN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Rinse the fillets and pat them dry with paper towels. Mix the cornmeal, flour, salt, creole seasoning, paprika, and pepper together in a shallow dish. Pour the milk into a second shallow dish. Dip the fillets into the milk and then into the cornmeal mixture, coating them well and shaking of any excess.
• Heat 1/2 the butter in a large skillet over high heat, and fry 2 of the fillets for about 3 minutes on each side, or until the fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.
• Transfer the fillets to a serving platter and keep warm. Repeat with remaining butter and fillets. Serve immediately, garnished with lemon wedges.

CORNMEAL CRUSTED CATFISH AND GREEN RICE PILAF

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400.
• Bring a medium sauce pot filled three-quarters full with water to a boil.
• Heat a second medium saucepan or pot over moderate heat. Add 1 tablespoon EVOO, butter, shallots, thyme, salt, and pepper.
• Saute the shallots for 2 minutes, then add the rice and lightly brown, 3-5 minutes. Add the wine and allow it to evaporate entirely, 1-2 minutes. Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil.
• Cover the rice and reduce the heat. Cook 18-20 minutes, until tender.
• Salt the boiling water in the other pot and add the parsley, spinach, and basil. Stir to submerge the greens for 30 seconds, then carefully take the pot to the sink. Use a slotted spoon or spider to remove the greens to a colander.
• Discard the water. Rinse the greens under slow-running cold water to stop the cooking process. Give the greens a gently squeeze to get rid of the excess water.
• Transfer the cooled, drained greens to a blender or food processor. Add about 2 tablespoons of EVOO and the lemon juice. Puree until completely smooth. Reserve the puree for finishing the cooked rice.
• Preheat a large oven-safe nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of EVOO.
• Season the catfish with salt and pepper and coat evenly and completely in the cornmeal.
• Add the coated fish to the hot skillet and sear for 2 minutes on each side, then transfer the skillet with the fish to the oven and continue to cook 8-10 minutes, until the fish is firm to the touch and opaque.
• Once the rice is cooked, add the reserved greens puree and stir with a fork to combine and fluff the rice.
• Pile the rice onto dinner plates and serve the catfish on top. Pass the lemon wedges at the table.

BLACKENED CATFISH AND SPICY RICE

Steps:

• Bring the rice, water, Cajun seasoning, and hot pepper sauce to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the rice is tender, and the liquid has been absorbed, 20 to 25 minutes.
• While rice is cooking, mix thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dill weed, and lemon pepper in a bowl until well blended. Brush catfish fillets with butter and sprinkle with seasoning mixture other both sides.
• Heat any remaining melted butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat; pan-fry seasoned catfish in butter until fish is easily flaked with a fork, 4 to 5 minutes per side.
• Serve catfish over a plate of seasoned rice. Pour leftover butter from the skillet over fish and sprinkle with lemon juice.

SOUTHERN-STYLE OVEN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Grease a 13x9 glass baking dish with the oil, and set aside.
• Rinse the catfish fillets, and pat dry. In a shallow bowl, combine the cornmeal, creole seasoning, paprika, sugar, and black pepper. Combine the eggs and hot sauce or water in a another bowl. Dip the fillets in the egg mixture, dredge in the cornmeal mixture, and arrange in the baking pan.
• Bake for 15 minutes, or until cooked through and golden brown. Turn once during cooking. Place catfish on a paper-towel lined plate, and serve immediately with additional hot sauce.

PRETZEL-CRUSTED CATFISH

Steps:

• Sprinkle catfish with salt and pepper. Whisk the eggs, mustard and milk in a shallow bowl. Place flour and pretzels in separate shallow bowls. Coat fillets with flour, then dip in egg mixture and coat with pretzels., Heat 1/4 in. oil to 375° in an electric skillet. Fry fillets, a few at a time, until fish flakes easily with a fork, 3-4 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with lemon slices if desired.

CORN-CRUSTED CATFISH

Steps:

• Wash, dry and cut catfish in half. Soak in buttermilk until ready to cook.
• Mix cornmeal, flour and cayenne. Drain catfish and dredge.
• Heat oil in heavy skillet. Saute catfish on both sides over medium heat in hot oil, about seven minutes total. Serve with crusty bread.

FRIED CATFISH WITH PEPPER-WRAPPED SCALLIONS

Steps:

• In a skillet or deep fryer, heat oil to 450 degrees.
• Butterfly the catfish by slicing the belly lengthwise. Slice the meat away from the tail and spread the flesh apart, making sure that it is attached to the spine.
• Prepare the garnish by slicing the chili pepper crosswise into eight circles 1/8 inch thick, discarding the seeds. Place a scallion stalk through each pepper circle, and make four 1/2-inch cuts into the ends of the scallions so the ends feather.
• Place the cilantro on a serving platter.
• Place the fish in the hot oil and quickly lower the flame so the oil is at 250 degrees. Cook the fish for approximately 5 to 6 minutes, or until golden.
• When the fish is done, turn up the flame so the oil is 450 degrees and continue frying the fish for one minute.
• Remove the fish from the pan, drain on paper towels and place on top of the cilantro.
• In a separate small saucepan, place a tablespoon of the oil just used for cooking the fish, and add the soy sauce, sugar and sesame oil. Heat until it begins to bubble, and pour sauce over the fish. Surround the fish with scallion bundles and serve.

PAN-FRIED CATFISH WITH ARUGULA-ORANGE SALAD

Steps:

• Combine arugula, oranges, and red onion in large bowl. Whisk together orange juice, olive oil, and 1 pinch of cayenne in small bowl. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Combine cornmeal, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper, and 1 pinch of cayenne in shallow dish. Rinse catfish; shake off excess water. Dredge catfish in cornmeal mixture; turn to coat evenly.
• Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add catfish and cook until coating is golden brown and crispy and fish is opaque in center, about 2 1/2 minutes per side.
• Drizzle dressing over salad. Divide salad equally among 4 plates; top with catfish and serve.