Blackened Drum Food

CAJUN BLACKENED REDFISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a medium saucepan, melt the butter on low heat; cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the cayenne pepper, black pepper, lemon pepper, garlic powder and salt. Set aside.
• Dip the filets into the melted butter, then coat with the seasoning mixture.
• In a large skillet over high heat, sear fish on each side for 2 minutes or until slightly charred.
• Place in a 11x7 inch baking dish and pour the Italian dressing onto each filet. Cover baking dish and bake in a preheated oven for 30 minutes or until flaky and tender.

BLACKENED TROUT WITH SPICY KALE

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the celery and scallion whites and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the garlic and 1 teaspoon each Cajun seasoning and brown sugar and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add the beans, tomatoes and 3/4 cup water; bring to a simmer and cook until the liquid is slightly reduced, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Stir in the kale and cook until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the scallion greens and a few dashes of hot sauce.
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons each Cajun seasoning and brown sugar and sprinkle on the flesh side of each fish fillet. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat; add 2 fillets, seasoned-side down, and cook, undisturbed, until blackened on the bottom, 3 to 4 minutes. Carefully turn the fillets and cook until opaque, about 1 more minute. Transfer to plates. Repeat with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon oil and 2 fish fillets. Serve with the kale and lemon wedges.

BRONZED BLACK DRUM

Steps:

• Combine the seasoning mix ingredients in a small bowl. Season each side of each fillet evenly with 1/2 teaspoon of the seasoning mix. Place the vegetable oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over high heat just until the oil just begins to smoke, about 3 to 4 minutes. Place the fillets in the pan, drizzle with butter, and cook, turning once, until they are just cooked through, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. The fillets are done when they flake easily.

BLACKENED TROUT WITH ESCOVITCH

Steps:

• Make the escovitch: Combine the vinegar, all-purpose seasoning, sugar, allspice, salt, thyme sprigs, garlic, lime juice and 1/3 cup water in a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Stir until the sugar and salt dissolve. Add the carrots, onion, bell peppers and Scotch bonnet and cook until the vegetables become slightly tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and set aside. (Remove the Scotch bonnet before serving.)
• For the trout: Combine the garlic powder, smoked paprika, salt, black pepper, thyme, onion powder, oregano and cayenne pepper in a small bowl. Coat each piece of trout with the blackening seasoning. Heat half of the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Add two trout fillets to the skillet and cook until the fish is browned and flakes with a fork, about 3 minutes on each side. Repeat with the remaining butter and trout. Spoon the escovitch on top of each fish fillet before serving.