Catfish Dinner Food

ZESTY BAKED CATFISH

Steps:

• Combine oil and lemon juice; brush over both sides of fillets. Combine the remaining ingredients; rub over both sides of fillets. Place in an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan., Bake, uncovered, at 350° for 10-15 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

CATFISH DINNER

Steps:

• For the catfish: To marinate the catfish, place the fillets and buttermilk in a flat bottomed container. Allow to marinate in the fridge for a minimum 30 minutes, maximum 1 day.
• Preheat a fryer to 350 degrees F with vegetable oil. Before frying, remove the catfish from the marinade and allow any excess buttermilk to drip off. Season the cornmeal with salt and pepper. Coat a fillet with flour, then egg wash, then seasoned cornmeal and repeat the process with the remaining fillets before frying. Fry until the catfish reaches 145 degrees F, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the fryer and allow to drain any excess oil on a plate with paper towels.
• For the sauce: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, add the butter and melt. Next, add the onions, peppers and celery and sweat until translucent. Then stir in the flour, seafood seasoning and garlic to thicken the butter. This will take 1 to 2 minutes.
• Next, add the cream and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook until the cream sets. Finally, add the crawfish and whisk to blend, cooking for final 2 minutes.
• To serve, place 1/2 cup grits or polenta on the plate, then a quarter of the prepared crawfish sauce and top with a crisp cooked fish. Finish with green onions or chives.

CAJUN BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix together the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, oregano, and thyme until thoroughly combined. Press the catfish fillets into the spice mixture to thoroughly coat.
• Arrange a portable heat source outdoors, such as a butane burner or side burner of a gas grill. Melt butter in a glass or metal bowl. Light the burner, and place a large cast-iron skillet onto the burner over high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of melted butter into the skillet; set remaining 1/2 cup of butter aside.
• When the butter in the skillet is smoking hot, lay the catfish fillets into the skillet. Cook until the spices are burned onto the fillets and the catfish is opaque and flaky inside, about 3 minutes per side. Don't breathe smoke from burning spices. To serve, pour remaining 1/2 cup of butter over the catfish.