Crispy Fried Catfish
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of crispy fried catfish with this tantalizing recipe. Perfectly seasoned and fried to golden perfection, it’s sure to become a favorite dish for any occasion.
Ingredients:
- 1 quart of peanut oil
- 1 cup of stone-ground fine cornmeal
- 1 cup of all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon of seafood seasoning (such as Old Bay)
- 1/2 teaspoon of kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of hot smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper
- 6 (7 to 9-ounce) US farm-raised catfish fillets, rinsed and thoroughly patted dry
- 3/4 cup of low-fat buttermilk
Instructions:
- Heat the peanut oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Adjust the heat to maintain the temperature.
- In a shallow dish, whisk together the cornmeal and flour.
- In a small bowl, combine the seafood seasoning, kosher salt, paprika, and black pepper. Season the catfish fillets evenly on both sides with this spice mixture.
- Pour the buttermilk into another shallow dish. Dip each fillet into the buttermilk, ensuring both sides are coated, then hold it over the dish to allow any excess to drip off.
- Coat both sides of the fillets in the cornmeal mixture, then set them on a cooling rack and let them rest for 5 minutes.
- Gently add the fillets, 2 at a time, to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown, approximately 5 to 6 minutes.
- Remove the fried fillets to a cooling rack set over a newspaper-lined half sheet pan. Repeat the frying process with the remaining fillets.
- Arrange the crispy catfish on a serving platter and serve immediately for a delightful dining experience. Enjoy!
With its crispy exterior and tender, flavorful interior, this fried catfish recipe is sure to impress even the most discerning palates. Serve it alongside your favorite sides for a complete meal that will have everyone coming back for more.