Fried Haddock Po Boy Food

FRIED HADDOCK PO' BOY

Steps:

• Put the flour, salt and cayenne in a bowl, and mix well. Add the beer and stir until just incorporated. Mix no more than is necessary to prevent dissipation of the bubbles.
• Put at least 3 inches of canola oil in a deep fryer, and bring to 375 degrees F (or in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, pour enough oil to fill the pan about a third of the way. Heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil reaches 375 degrees F.).
• Cut the haddock fillets into 3-inch pieces. Season the fish with sea salt and black pepper. When the oil is at temperature, (if you don't have a thermometer you can test it by dropping a bread crouton inches If it sizzles on hitting the oil, it's ready), dip the haddock pieces in the batter, and let the excess drain by holding it up briefly above the bowl before placing into the pan. Lay the fish into the hot oil slowly to make sure the oil hits all the surface area. Cook about 2 to 3 minutes on one side and flip over for another 2 minutes. You are looking for a golden brown color and crisp exterior.
• When ready, lift the fillets out with tongs and lay on paper towels, to absorb the excess surface oil. Open out the split baguette and place inside down in a large pan coated with a nub of butter, melted, on medium heat, for about a minute. This will pan grill the inside of the bread making it buttery and toasty.
• To assemble: Spread Tartar sauce on both sides of the bread, lay on two pieces of fish and add a final little crunch of some finely sliced iceberg lettuce.
• Chuck's Tartar Sauce:.
• Place 4 tablespoons of mayonnaise in a bowl and add all the ingredients. Mix together. Mixture should be green, chunky and not too runny.
• Homemade Mayonnaise:.
• Put the eggs and mustard in a food processor. While running the machine, slowly drizzle in the oil until it gets very thick. Add some water, and then continue with the oil. Shift back and forth between the oil and water. When all is added, add the lemon zest, lemon juice, salt, and pepper, to taste. Set aside.

FRIED PICKLE PO' BOY

Steps:

• Combine the mayonnaise, hot sauce and 1 teaspoon of the paprika in a medium bowl.
• Beat the milk and egg in a separate medium bowl. Put the flour in a shallow dish. Combine the cornstarch, cornmeal, garlic powder, onion powder, cayenne, 2 teaspoons salt, a few grinds of black pepper and remaining 1 teaspoon paprika in another shallow dish.
• Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer registers 375 degrees F.
• Dip the pickle slices first in the flour, tapping off any excess, then in the egg mixture. Then press them in the cornmeal mixture to coat. Fry in batches, turning once, until golden, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Split the loaves down the middle lengthwise but do not cut all the way through. Spread 2 tablespoons of the mayonnaise mixture on each loaf. Top each with 1/4 cup lettuce and 3 tomato slices. Stuff 10 fried pickles into each sandwich. Serve with more hot sauce.

FRIED CHICKEN PO' BOYS

Steps:

• For the marinade: Put the chicken in a large bowl and add the buttermilk, hot sauce, salt, Cajun seasoning, garlic powder, paprika and black pepper and toss until the chicken is coated. Refrigerate for 4 hours or up to overnight.
• For the seasoned flour: Combine the flour, Cajun seasoning, pepper, baking powder, salt and confectioners' sugar in a large shallow dish or paper bag.
• Remove the chicken from the buttermilk and dredge each piece in the seasoned flour. Shake off any excess and transfer to a plate.
• Fill a large cast-iron skillet halfway with oil and fit the skillet with a deep-frying thermometer. Heat to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with paper towels and set a cooling rack on top.
• Add 5 or 6 pieces of chicken at a time to the oil and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, then flip and cook until the chicken is golden brown and juices run clear when pierced, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Remove to the prepared cooling rack and let sit for 5 minutes. (See Cook's Note.)
• For the sandwiches: Meanwhile, mix together the mayonnaise, Dijon, pickle brine and hot sauce in a small bowl. Spread the mixture on both sides of the baguettes. Lay the pickles and tomatoes on top of the mayonnaise on one side of each piece of bread. Add a few chicken pieces to each. Top with some Red Cabbage Slaw and the top pieces of bread. Cut each loaf in half, then cut into 8 to 10 portions. Serve with lots of napkins!
• Combine the oil, vinegar, Dijon mustard, granulated sugar, mustard seeds and minced garlic in a bowl and whisk together. Add the coleslaw mix, cabbage and green onions and toss lightly. Taste the slaw, then add salt and pepper to your liking. Serve right away or chill up to overnight.

FRIED FISH PO' BOYS WITH CAJUN FRENCH FRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F. Heat the oil in a large, deep heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with paper towels.
• For the fried fish po' boys: If using skin-on fish fillets, remove the skin, then cut into 4 equal pieces. Season each side of the 4 fillets with 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning. Whisk together the eggs, milk and 2 teaspoons of the Creole seasoning in a large shallow bowl, baking dish or cake pan. Whisk together the flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon of the Creole seasoning in a second large shallow bowl, baking dish or cake pan.
• Dip 2 fillets in the egg mixture and carefully shake off any excess. Dip the fillets in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Fry the fillets, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish. Transfer the fish to the second prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. Bring the oil back to 350 degrees F, then repeat with the remaining 2 fillets.
• For the Cajun French fries: Cut the potatoes into 1 1/2-inch sticks and transfer to a large bowl of cold water. Stir until the water is cloudy. Drain the potatoes, transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets, top with paper towels, press down to blot and let sit until the potatoes are dry, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Working in batches, gently add some potatoes to the hot oil, carefully shaking the skillet if needed to make sure the potatoes are completely covered with the oil. Fry until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer the fries with a spider to the same baking sheet. Bring the oil back to 350 degrees F between batches.
• Increase the temperature of the oil to 400 degrees F. Working in batches, add the fries and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the same baking sheet, sprinkle the Creole seasoning over top and toss with tongs.
• To assemble the po' boys: Evenly spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise on each baguette half. Place 1 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup pickles, half of the tomatoes, 2 fried fish fillets and hot sauce on the bottom half. Add some fries if desired, then add the top half. Repeat with the remaining baguette, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, fried fish fillets and hot sauce.
• For the Creole mayo: Stir together the mayonnaise, Creole seasoning and hot sauce in a small bowl. Serve with the po' boys and Cajun French fries.

FRIED TILAPIA PO' BOY

Steps:

• For the aioli: Preheat a pizza oven or regular oven to 450 degrees F.
• Coat the peppers with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl, then place on a sheet tray. Roast until the pepper skin burns and blisters on all sides, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Place the peppers in a glass bowl and cover with plastic wrap to let steam for 10 minutes. Remove the peppers from the bowl and carefully remove the charred skins, seeds and stems. Finely chop and set aside.
• Add the egg yolk, lemon juice, garlic, mayonnaise and mustard to a medium bowl. Slowly drizzle in the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and whisk until emulsified. Add the basil and peppers and fold together until combined. Season with salt and set aside.
• For the onions and tilapia: Very carefully slice the onions into paper-thin rings on a mandoline and place in a large bowl. Cover the onions with the milk and let sit for 15 minutes.
• Preheat a fryer or fill a large Dutch oven with 3 inches canola oil and preheat to 350 degrees F. Line a tray with a wire rack.
• Slice each piece of fish down the middle, then slice on the bias into 2/3-inch pieces. Place the fish in a shallow dish and sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Add the flour to another shallow dish.
• Dredge the fish in the flour, then shake off the excess and carefully place in the oil. Cook until golden brown on all sides, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove to the wire rack.
• Fully drain the onions, then carefully place them in the oil. Cook, moving the onions around, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes (be sure to watch, as they cook fast). Remove and season with salt.
• Slice the baguette pieces through the middle horizontally without cutting through. Add the aioli to both cut sides of the bread. Lay 3 to 4 pieces of fish in each, then top with the crispy onions and the arugula and serve.

CATFISH PO' BOYS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, (Dutch oven) heat enough peanut oil to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 365 degrees F.
• Slice the po' boy rolls in half, (not cutting through), and put them on a baking sheet. Lightly toast the bread in the preheated oven.
• Combine the corn flour, seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste, in a shallow dish. Pat the fillets dry and dredge them in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking of the excess.
• Once the oil is properly heated, carefully drop the catfish into the oil. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry until golden brown and beginning to float to the surface, about 5 minutes. Do not overcook. Carefully remove the fillets with a slotted spoon or spider and drain them on paper towels. Put 1 catfish fillet in each toasted roll and top with lettuce, tomatoes, and hot sauce. Serve with lemon wedges.

BUFFALO OYSTER PO' BOY

Steps:

• Drain the oysters. Mix the flour, corn meal and spices in a bowl, adding salt and pepper to taste. Dredge the oysters in the flour mixture to coat well.
• Meanwhile heat the vegetable oil to a depth of 1 inch in a large pan over medium high heat until it reaches 375°F Fry the oysters until golden brown, remove and drain on paper towels.
• Mix the mayonnaise and chipotle pepper until well combined. Heat the butter and Frank's Hot sauce just until butter is melted and well combined.
• Spread some mayonnaise mixture on both halves of the buns and spread some lettuce on the bottom half of the buns. Pour the hot sauce mixture into a bowl large enough to hold the oysters and add the oysters, tossing them to coat with the sauce.
• Divide the oysters equally amongst the buns and serve hot.

FRIED CATFISH PO BOY

Steps:

• To make the seasoned fry cornmeal: mix together all the ingredients (makes enough for about five 5-7 oz. catfish fillets).
• In a deep frying pan or pot, preheat enough vegetable oil to completely submerge the catfish, to 350°.
• Dredge the catfish fillet in the seasoned cornmeal; fry fillet in oil for 8 minutes (the catfish will float when done).
• Remove fillet from oil and place on paper towels or a brown paper bag to drain.
• Spread the top slice of toasted french bread with mayo.
• Add a layer of hamburger dill pickle slices and sprinkle with shredded green cabbage.
• Put the catfish fillet on the bottom slice; sandwich the two halves together; cut on the diagonal and serve right away.
• Additional or other topping suggestions: cheddar cheese, bacon, celery-seed laced coleslaw, jalapeno tartar sauce, Louisiana hot sauce.