Spicy Catfish Recipes

SPICY CATFISH

Steps:

• Combine garlic, salt, black and red peppers, paprika and oil in a small bowl. Press pepper mixture onto catfish.
• Place fillets in a baking pan and broil until opaque in the center, 6 to 8 minutes.

CAJUN FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Rinse fish fillets under cold water, cut into 2-inch wide strips; place in a large bowl.
• Cover fish with buttermilk and mix with hands; cover and refrigerate: let soak for 30 minutes to an hour before frying.
• In a large zip top bag, combine flour, cornmeal, cajun seasoning, garlic powder and black pepper.
• Heat oil in a large iron skillet over medium-high heat to about 400 degrees.
• Meanwhile drain off buttermilk from the fish. Drop 3 to 4 pieces into the cornmeal mixture and coat each piece well.
• Fry fish pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown.
• Remove from hot oil and drain on paper towels or brown paper bags.
• Serve hot with tarter sauce.

SPICY GRILLED CATFISH

Steps:

• Prepare a grill or preheat the broiler.
• Mix olive oil, lime juice, wine, mustard, chili powder, pepper, cilantro and salt in a medium bowl.
• Transfer half of the marinade mixture to another bowl and reserve for basting catfish.
• Add catfish to the first bowl; marinate for 15 minutes.
• Drain fillets and discard marinade.
• Place fillets on an oiled grill rack or broiler pan rack.
• Grill or broil 4 inches from the heat source, basting with reserved marinade, for about 3 minutes on each side, or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork.

CAJUN COMPROMISE CATFISH

Steps:

• Soak the fish pieces in milk for at least 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and hot pepper sauce. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, pepper, mustard and Cajun seasoning. Dip fish pieces into the dry mixture, then into the egg, then back into the dry mix. Set on a plate in the refrigerator and chill for about 15 minutes. This will help the batter stick to the fish.
• Heat more than enough oil to cover the bottom of a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Fry fish pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Depending on how much and what kind of Cajun seasoning you used, some of the breading may get darker than the rest.
• Drain the fish on paper towels and serve with hot sauce or tartar sauce. Enjoy!

SPICY OVEN-BAKED CATFISH

Steps:

• For the fish; wash the fish fillets under cold water, then pat dry with paper towels.
• In a shallow bowl mix together the dry breadcrumbs with seasoned salt, black pepper, garlic powder and cayenne pepper.
• In a bowl whisk or beat egg whites until foamy.
• Dip the fillets into egg whites, then dredge in the breadcrumb mixture.
• Place the fillets in one layer onto a well-greased wire rack that is set on a large baking sheet.
• Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until fish is golden brown (do not overbake).
• LEMON CREAM SAUCE; in a bowl mix together one 8-ounce container of sour cream (low-fat is okay) 1-2 tablespoons fresh chopped parsley, 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon rind, 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice and salt and pepper to taste.
• Cover and chill until ready to serve.

SPICY BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine the paprika, the oregano, the thyme, the cayenne, the sugar, the salt, and the black pepper, pat the catfish dry, and sprinkle the spice mixture on both sides of the fillet, coating them well. In a large skillet sauté the garlic in the oil over moderately high heat, stirring, until it is golden brown and discard the garlic. Add the butter, heat it until the foam subsides, and in the fat sauté the catfish for 4 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked through. Transfer the catfish fillets with a slotted spatula to 2 plates and serve them with the lemon wedges.

SPICY CATFISH WITH BELL PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Season fish with salt and pepper. Dust lightly with flour. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish to skillet. Cook until golden brown and just opaque in center, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer fish to plates. Add 1/2 tablespoon oil, onion and bell peppers to same skillet. Sauté until crisp-tender, about 4 minutes. Add vinegar and jalapeño. Stir 1 minute. Season mixture with salt and pepper. Spoon over fish.

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.