Carolina Catfish Stew Recipes

EASTERN NORTH CAROLINA FISH STEW

Steps:

• Cut the bacon slices into 1-inch squares. Brown them in the bottom of a 10-to-12-quart stockpot over medium heat. Once bacon is crisp, remove it and reserve, leaving the bacon fat in the pot. Whisk the tomato paste into the fat, making sure you scrape up all the brown bits left from browning the bacon.
• Turn the heat off and begin layering the ingredients in the stockpot. Start with a layer of potatoes, followed by a layer of onions and garlic, followed by a layer of fish. Top the fish with roughly a third of the salt, a third of the chile flakes and 1 bay leaf. Repeat this layering process two more times.
• Fill the pot with enough cool water to just barely reach the top of the fish. (If there's a little fish peeking out over the top, that's O.K. - better than if it's swimming in water.) Cover the pot with a tightfitting lid and slowly bring to a boil over medium-high heat. (Throughout the cooking, resist the urge to stir.) Once it starts to boil, reduce heat and let it cook, covered, at a high simmer for about 15 minutes. Check the potatoes for doneness. They should be barely tender, not falling apart.
• Use a large spoon to remove the fat from the surface of the soup, and discard. Taste the broth and add more salt if needed. Then, with the stew at a good simmer, add the eggs one by one in a single layer over the top. (Crack each egg into a small cup before dropping it in.) Cook the eggs for 5 minutes until they are lightly set.
• As soon as the eggs are lightly set, use a large ladle to portion out the stew. A proper serving is at least half a fish steak, some potatoes, some onions and an egg swimming in broth. Shower each bowl with bacon, and serve immediately with a piece or two of bread, if desired.

CATFISH STEW

Steps:

• In 4-quart nonstick Dutch oven, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, garlic and chili powder; cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until onions are tender. Stir in tomatoes, water, rice, oregano, thyme, cumin and pepper sauce. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Rinse okra under cold running water to separate; drain. Stir okra, fish and bell pepper into tomato mixture. Heat to boiling. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until fish flakes easily with fork and okra is tender.

SOUTHERN CATFISH STEW

Steps:

• Wash the catfish fillets and cut them into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
• Fry the bacon for 2 to 3 minutes in a large heavy saucepan; add the onion and bell pepper and cook until tender.
• Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer.
• Cook, covered, for 30 minutes.
• Add the fish and cook for another 20 minutes.
• Correct the seasonings if necessary and serve hot with cornbread.

HOW TO MAKE CATFISH STEW (SOUTH CAROLINA RECIPE)

Steps:

• Step 1: Start with a large heavy bottom pot or large dutch oven.
• Step 2: Cut up the bacon into small 1-inch pieces. Put in the dutch oven and turn the heat on to medium-high heat. We want to start rendering out the fat of the bacon.
• Step 3: Once the bacon has started rendering the fat out, we will next put in our celery, onions, and garlic. Let them cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until the celery and onions become translucent. Make sure to stir often so as not to burn the garlic and onions.
• Step 4: Add in the water. Next, add the tomato paste and hot sauce. You can also add in the seasonings at this point too. Bring the mixture up to a boil and stir to incorporate the tomato paste.
• Step 5: Add in the potatoes once the tomato paste has been incorporated, turn the heat down to medium heat.
• Step 6: Add in the catfish fillets. As the catfish fillets are cooking, I like to use my wooden spoon to break the fillets up.
• Step 7: I like to let the potatoes cook down really well. I will usually let this go on a simmer for roughly an hour or two. This will cause the catfish stew to thicken up slightly as the potatoes cook down and the stew reduces. Make sure to add a little water to it if it cooks down too much.
• Step: 8 Once it has gotten to the right consistency, it is time to serve it. Ladle out the stew into a bowl. Serve with saltine crackers and hot sauce.

CAROLINA CATFISH STEW

Steps:

• Cut catfish fillets into 2-inch cubes. Put in a resealable plastic bag with 2 tablespoons olive oil and Cajun seasoning. Seal bag and shake until fish is thoroughly coated; place in the refrigerator while you prepare the stew.
• Preheat a large stockpot over high heat. Add butter and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Add bacon, onion, bell pepper, and garlic; saute until onions are soft, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Reduce heat to medium. Add tomato juice, tomato sauce, and tomato puree, then stir in sugar, Italian seasoning, and cayenne. Add potatoes and corn and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring frequently, until potatoes are tender, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Drop in catfish and simmer until fish is tender and cooked through, 20 to 30 minutes; make sure you don't break up the fish.
• To serve, season with hot sauce and Worcestershire.

SOUTH CAROLINA CATFISH STEW

Steps:

• Combine condensed soup, water, ketchup, hot pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, butter, and browning sauce in a stockpot over medium heat. Add potatoes, bacon, and onion. Season with thyme, chili powder, salt, and pepper; bring to a boil.
• Meanwhile, rinse catfish and pat dry. Cut into bite-sized pieces and add to the stockpot. Reduce heat to a simmering boil and cook, covered or uncovered, until onions and potatoes are tender, about 25 minutes.