Southern Style 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.

SOUTHERN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold the fillets. Spread fish in one layer over bottom of pan, turning to coat each side, and set aside to marinate.
• In a 2 gallon resealable plastic bag, combine the cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning. Add fish to mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.
• Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
• Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.

BLACKENED CATFISH TACOS

Steps:

• Heat a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat.
• Dip the fish into the butter, sprinkle on the seasoning and pat it in.
• Place the fish in the skillet and cook until it just starts to blacken but not burn, about 2 minutes, flip it and do the same to the other side.
• Assemble tacos and enjoy.

CATFISH TACOS

Steps:

• For the coleslaw: In a medium bowl, combine the coleslaw mix, red onions, radishes, and cilantro. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, honey, salt, and pepper. Add to the coleslaw mixture, tossing gently to coat.
• For the remoulade: In a small bowl, combine the sour cream, garlic, green onions, mustard, lemon juice, and dill. Cover and refrigerate until needed.
• For the catfish: In a large Dutch oven, pour the oil to a depth of 2 inches and heat to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the catfish into strips. Combine and whisk together the cornmeal and Cajun seasoning. Coat the catfish strips in the cornmeal mixture.
• Fry the catfish, in batches if necessary, until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Place 2 to 3 catfish strips in the center of each Fried Taco Shell. Top each evenly with the coleslaw mixture. Dollop with the remoulade. Serve with sliced avocado and lime wedges, if desired.
• Fried Taco Shells:
• Heat the oil in a Dutch oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the tortilla into the oil, folding into a taco shape using heatproof tongs. (You will have to hold its shape with the tongs while it fries.) Fry until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

CATFISH AND SLAW TACOS

Steps:

• Thaw catfish, if using frozen.
• In a medium bowl, combine lime juice, mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; add cabbage and toss.
• Rinse fish fillets and pat dry with paper towels; cut into 1 inch strips and season with Cajun seasoning.
• In a large bowl, combine cornmeal and flour.
• Add fish strips and toss to coat.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook catfish, in batches, about 2 to 3 minutes per side, until golden brown and fish is flaky.
• Wrap tortillas with paper towels and heat in microwave 1 minute or toast tortillas in a dry skillet.
• If using corn tortillas, stack two and layer with fish and slaw.
• Serve tacos with remaining sauce from slaw, lime wedges, and additional hot pepper sauce, if desired.

SOUTHERN-STYLE FISH TACOS WITH CRUNCHY SLAW AND CHIPOTLE MAYO

Steps:

• For the slaw: Whisk the lime juice, oil, honey, and salt together in a bowl. Add the green and red cabbage, red onion, jalapeño, and cilantro, and toss to combine. Cover with plastic wrap, and let the bowl chill in the fridge for 1 hour, so the flavors can develop.
• For the chipotle mayo: Blend the mayonnaise, chipotle pepper, adobo sauce, and honey in a food processor until smooth. Remove from processor, and set aside until ready to serve.
• For the catfish: Heat 2 inches of oil in a Dutch oven to 375 degrees F. (For tips on deep-frying, see page 19.)
• Slice the catfish into 1-inch-thick fingers on a diagonal, and season with salt and pepper. Whisk together the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce on a rimmed plate. Stir together the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper on another rimmed plate, and season with salt and pepper. Working in batches, dip the catfish into the buttermilk batter, then dredge it through the cornmeal mixture, shaking off the excess.
• When the oil is hot, gently drop the catfish into the Dutch oven and fry until golden brown, working in batches, about 2 to 3 minutes per batch. Remove to a paper-towel-lined sheet tray when done, and immediately season with salt and pepper.
• Place the tortillas on a plate, and wrap the plate with damp paper towels. Microwave on high for 45 seconds. (Alternatively, if you have a gas stove, turn the heat to medium and place a corn tortilla directly over the flame, to toast for about 15 seconds on each side. This will soften the tortilla and give it a delicious smoky flavor.)
• To assemble the tacos, place a generous portion of fried catfish onto the center of a warmed tortilla. Top with the crunchy slaw, and top with chipotle mayonnaise. Garnish with lime wedges and cilantro.
• ALTERNATIVE: GRILLED CATFISH
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
• Slice the catfish into 1-inch-thick fingers on the diagonal. Brush with a few tablespoons olive oil on each side, and season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the catfish 2 to 3 minutes per side. Assemble the tacos as directed.

SOUTHERN STYLE CATFISH TACOS

Steps:

• Squeeze juice of 1 lime over fish. Combine cornmeal and next 6 ingredients in a large zip-top plastic freezer bag. Pat fish dry with paper towels and place in bag, shaking to coat.
• Pour oil to a depth of 1 1/2 inches in a large deep skillet; heat to 325 degrees. in batches, fry catfish in the hot oil 2 - 3 minutes or until crispy and golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
• Place catfish in warmed tortillas; top evenly with cabbage, desired amount of salad dressing, salsa and toppings. Cut remaining 2 limes into wedges and serve with tacos.