Catfish Poppers With Spicy Dipping Sauce Recipes

CATFISH POPPERS WITH SPICY DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the salt, Cajun seasoning and flour in a bowl.
• In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
• First dredge the fish in the flour, then dip in the eggs and finally dredge in the breadcrumbs.
• Fry the catfish pieces in about 1/2" of oil heated to 375 degrees.
• Fry about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Drain and serve with the Spicy Dipping Sauce.
• Spicy Dipping Sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, cocktail sauce, lemon juice, red pepper and Old Bay in a bowl.
• Chill, covered, until ready to serve with the poppers.

HUSHPUPPY-BATTERED CATFISH NUGGETS WITH SPICY TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together hushpuppy mix, milk, water, egg, jalapenos, hot pepper sauce and cayenne; let stand 5 minutes.
• Pour oil to a depth of 1/2 inch in a large deep skillet; heat oil to 350 degrees F.
• Pat catfish fillets dry with paper towels, and cut into bite-size pieces. Dredge catfish pieces in flour, and then dip in hushpuppy batter mixture. Drop catfish pieces into hot oil, and fry, in batches, 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Serve with Spicy Tartar Sauce.
• Stir together all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

DEEP FRIED CATFISH BITES WITH A KICKBACK SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. DIPPING SAUCE
• 2. Gather your ingredients.
• 3. Add the mayonnaise, brown mustard, lime juice, honey, brown sugar, mustard powder, and Worcestershire sauce in a medium bowl.
• 4. Whisk to combine.
• 5. Season with hot sauce and salt to your own particular tastes.
• 6. Mix until all the ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
• 7. Cover, and reserve.
• 8. Chef's Note: If you have the time, allow the dipping sauce to sit for 2 to 3 hours, or overnight. This will help give the ingredients a chance to know each other.
• 9. THE CATFISH
• 10. Gather your ingredients.
• 11. Cut the catfish into bite-sized pieces, and reserve.
• 12. Add the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, 1 teaspoon of salt and the cayenne pepper to a large bowl.
• 13. Whisk to combine.
• 14. Chef's Note: Adjust the salt to your own tastes, or leave it out altogether.
• 15. Add the beer.
• 16. Whisk until there are no lumps and the mixture is completely smooth.
• 17. Chef's Tip: If you have any left over beer, you should drink it down. We don't want anything wasted.
• 18. Chef's Note: If the batter is still a bit thick, add some water to thin it down.
• 19. Mix the remaining 1-teaspoon of salt with the pepper, garlic powder, and paprika and/or dill, if using.
• 20. Use this to lightly season the fish on both sides.
• 21. Chef's Note: You will probably have more of the salt/pepper/garlic mixture than what you need. Discard any that's left.
• 22. Preheat your oil to 350f (176c).
• 23. Chef's Tip: If you have a deep fryer, most are preset to this temperature. If you are using a pot, then use a thermometer to keep the temperature as close to 350f (176c) as possible.
• 24. Dip a piece of catfish into the batter and then carefully place into the hot oil.
• 25. Chef's Tip: Place several pieces into the oil, but don't overcrowd.
• 26. Keep the catfish moving in the oil so that they don't stick.
• 27. Fry until the catfish bites are nice and brown, about 3 to 4 minutes.
• 28. Place the cooked catfish on a paper towel, and repeat for the remaining catfish.
• 29. Chef's Tip: To keep the catfish warm, you might want to place them on a paper-towel lined baking sheet. Preset the oven to 200f (94c), and keep them in there until ready to serve.
• 30. Chef's Note: If you have any batter left over, and you probably will, drizzle it into the hot oil, and make some crunchies, put them in the plate and lay the catfish on top. I think some people like the crunchies more than the catfish.
• 31. To serve, add to a serving plate, with the dipping sauce on the side. Add a few lemon wedges, and there you go. Enjoy.
• 32. Keep the faith, and keep cooking.