Fiery Catfish Fingers Recipes

FRIED CATFISH FINGERS

Steps:

• Place the catfish strips in a large shallow dish and pour the buttermilk over the top (if using the hot sauce, whisk the hot sauce into the buttermilk first). Turn the strips to make sure they are coated in the buttermilk. Allow to marinate for at least 15 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Mix the cornmeal, flour, baking powder, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, dry mustard and cayenne together in a large shallow dish.
• Fill a large (10- or 12-inch) skillet with vegetable oil to a depth of 1/2 inch and heat over medium-high heat until very hot: A pinch of the cornmeal mixture should sizzle when it hits the oil.
• Remove the catfish strips from the buttermilk and discard the buttermilk. Let the excess liquid drip off the strips before dredging. Dredge the catfish strips in the cornmeal mixture until evenly coated, shaking off the excess.
• Carefully lay the first strip into the hot oil, then add as many strips as can comfortably fit into the pan without overcrowding; you want to keep an inch or so of space between each piece. Fry the strips until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side, then transfer the strips to a wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining strips, adding more oil if necessary (be sure to reheat the oil if you add more).
• Sprinkle the catfish fingers with Lemon Parsley Salt and serve with lemon wedges.
• Place the parsley leaves on a plate covered with a paper towel. Microwave on medium-high heat in 30-second intervals until the parsley dries out (but retains color), about 2 minutes depending on your microwave.
• Blend the salt with the lemon zest and parsley leaves in a spice grinder or blender until fine. Makes about 1/3 cup.

SPICY CATFISH TENDERS WITH CAJUN TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Make Tartar Sauce: Stir together all ingredients in a bowl and chill, until ready to serve.
• Prepare fish: Whisk together egg and hot sauce in a wide shallow dish.
• Stir in fish strips and let stand at room temperature at least 10 and up to 30 minutes.
• Pour enough oil into a 4 to 5 quart heavy pot to measure 2 inches and heat over medium heat until thermometer registers 350°F (you can use a fry daddy) Stir flour, cornmeal, salt and Cajun seasoning in another wide shallow dish.
• Fry fish; drain fish well in a colander.
• Dredge one fourth of fish in flour mixture shaking off excess flour, then fry in oil, stirring occasionally with a slotted spoon, until golden brown and just cooked through,1 1/2 to 2 minutes, remove with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
• Repeat until all fish is fried.
• Serve hot with tartar sauce and lemon wedges.

CATFISH FINGERS WITH CAJUN REMOULADE SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: In the bowl of a food processor, add the onions, celery and capers and process until finely chopped. Mix the chopped vegetables with the mayonnaise, relish, seafood seasoning, pepper and celery salt.
• For the catfish: Preheat the deep fryer to 325 degrees F. In the bowl of a food processor, add the cornmeal, flour, pecans, seafood seasoning and celery salt and pulse until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs. Dip the catfish slices in the eggs, then coat the catfish in the cornmeal mixture. Fry the fish until golden brown. Serve the hot catfish with remoulade sauce on the side.

FIERY CATFISH FINGERS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, stir together the mustard, egg white, and Tabasco sauce.
• Add the fish and toss to coat well.
• Cover and marinate for 1 hour.
• In a shallow dish, mix together the cornmeal, flour, salt, and pepper.
• Pour the oil into a heavy 3-quart saucepan or deep-fryer, filling it to no more than one-third full, and heat over medium heat to 350 degrees.
• Dredge the fish in the cornmeal mixture and shake off excess.
• Carefully add the fish to the oil, a few pieces at a time.
• Cook for 2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve hot with spicy mayonnaise or salsa.