Catfish Acadiana Copelands Food

FRIED CATFISH TOPPED WITH CRAWFISH AU GRATIN SAUCE

Steps:

• For the sauce: In a heavy-bottomed skillet over medium heat, melt the butter and saute the onions, peppers and garlic until wilted. Add the flour and stir until a blond roux is achieved, about 2 minutes. Stir in the sugar, chicken base, crab base, granulated garlic, basil, black pepper, cayenne pepper and thyme. Add the milk and wine and cook over medium heat until the milk thickens, stirring constantly, about 6 minutes. Add the cheese and stir until the cheese melts and fully incorporates into the sauce. Add the crawfish tails and cook until heated through, about 4 minutes. Add the green onions just before serving.
• For the catfish: Sprinkle the catfish with Creole seasoning. In a small bowl, beat the eggs and add the milk. Coat the catfish in flour and dip in the milk/egg mixture, then coat with cornmeal. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F in a large skillet. Fry the catfish until golden brown, 7 to 8 minutes.
• Serve the catfish with the crawfish au gratin sauce.

CAJUN STYLE BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• NOTES: You MUST use butter or oil; margarine will not work.
• A large cast-iron skillet works best for this, but any large non-stick skillet will work.
• This recipe will work with nearly any type of boneless fish fillets, but catfish seems to be one of the tastiest.
• This recipe produces a LOT of smoke, so make sure you have a good vent above your stove, or open some doors and/or windows.
• Mix all dry ingredients together.
• Coat fillets evenly with mixture.
• Heat small amount of butter or oil in skillet until hot.
• Place fillets in skillet.
• Cook 3-5 minutes on each side.
• Change butter or oil if it gets too black.

CATFISH LAFITTE

Steps:

• Combine eggs and milk in mixing bowl; stir until thoroughly blended.
• Combine flour, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper in shallow dish, stirring well to mix. (I would suggest using 1/4 teaspoons red pepper if you're a wimp and 3/4 teaspoons if you're very bold. :) ).
• Pour enough oil into a Dutch oven or electric skillet to reach a depth of 3 inches; heat to 360 degrees F.
• Rinse catfish fillets; pat dry with paper towels.
• Dredge fillets in flour mixture; dip in milk mixture to coat thoroughly; dredge in flour mixture a second time.
• When oil reaches correct temperature, add catfish; deep-fry approximately 6 minutes, until golden-brown. (If done, fish should flake easily when scraped with the tines of a fork.).
• Drain catfish on paper towels to absorb excess grease; keep warm (microwave is good).
• Meanwhile, melt butter in large skillet over medium heat.
• Add shrimp and garlic; cook, stirring often, approximately 3 to 5 minutes, until shrimp are pink and done.
• Remove shrimp and set aside; add vermouth to drippings in skillet.
• Stir well to incorporate vermouth; bring to a boil; allow mixture to boil for 1 minute.
• Add whipping cream, 2 tablespoons sliced green onions, lemon juice, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining red pepper (again, add or subtract depending on how spicy you like your food); cook, stirring frequently, until sauce thickens (approx. 12-15 minutes).
• To assemble, place one fried catfish fillet on each plate; drizzle with equal amounts of Cajun cream sauce; top with cooked shrimp and strips of ham; sprinkle with remaining sliced green onion; garnish with lemon wedges to squeeze on top.