Fried Tilapia Po Boy Food

BLACKENED TILAPIA PO' BOY

Steps:

• Season fish with 2 Tbsp. seasoning. Mix remaining seasoning and mayo.
• Heat large nonstick skillet on medium-high heat. Add fish; cook 5 min. on each side or until fish flakes easily with fork. Meanwhile, spread mayo mixture onto cut sides of bread.
• Fill bread with fish, tomatoes and lettuce.

SHRIMP AND FISH PO' BOYS

Steps:

• For the shrimp and fish: Attach a deep-fry thermometer to the side of a heavy wide pot. Fill the pot 2 inches full with the oil. Heat to 350 degrees F over medium heat.
• Whisk the garlic powder, cayenne, thyme, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Toss the shrimp and tilapia with the spice mixture and stir to coat. Pour the milk over the fish and shrimp.
• Whisk the flour and cornmeal in a baking dish. Working in batches, toss the shrimp and tilapia in the flour mixture and then carefully place into the pot. Fry the shrimp and tilapia, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 4 minutes each batch. Transfer the shrimp and tilapia to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle the shrimp and tilapia with salt immediately after frying.
• For the creamy garlic spread: Blend the mayo, garlic, zest and lemon juice in a bowl.
• For the po' boys: Cut open the baguettes longwise, three-quarters of the way through the bread. Spread the cut sides with the creamy garlic spread. Divide the shrimp and tilapia among the baguettes and top with lettuce, tomato and hot sauce, if using.

FRIED CATFISH PO BOY

Steps:

• Pour about 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy pot and heat to 375 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the smashed garlic and swirl the pot around to infuse the garlic flavor into the butter. Slice the French bread in 1/2 lengthwise and brush the top and insides with the garlic butter. Stick the bread in the oven for 5 minutes to warm it through.
• Season both sides of the catfish fillets with a fair amount of salt and pepper. In a wide bowl, mix the milk and egg together, season with salt and pepper. Mix the cornmeal, flour, cayenne, salt and pepper in a pie dish using a fork. Dip the catfish in the wet batter, then dredge in the dry; being sure to cover the fillets completely. Gently drop the fish in the hot oil in batches so the pan is not overcrowded. Fry the fillets for 3 minutes and then drain on a platter lined with paper towels; sprinkle with salt while they are still hot.
• To assemble the sandwich, put the pickles across the bottom 1/2 of the bread, lay the fried catfish on top. Spoon a small mound of slaw on top of the catfish and close up the sandwich with the top 1/2 of the bread. Cut into portions and serve immediately with hot sauce and lemon on the side.
• Combine the cabbage, carrot, red onion, green onions, and chile in a large bowl.
• In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar; stirring to incorporate. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to mix. Season the cole slaw with celery seed, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Chill for 2 hours in refrigerator while frying the catfish.

PAN FRIED TILAPIA

Steps:

• Heat oven to 300 degrees F.
• In a shallow baking dish combine flour, seafood seasoning, salt and pepper. Add the tilapia and lightly coat each side.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Shake off any excess seasoned flour and place in the skillet. Brown on both sides, about 2 to 3 minutes per side. Place tilapia on a baking sheet that is lined with a paper grocery bag or paper towels and keep warm in the oven while you prepare the sauce.
• Turn down the heat to the pan the tilapia was cooked to low and add the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the garlic, lemon juice and parsley and saute for 2 minutes. Place the fillets on serving plates or a platter, top with the sauce and serve.

GRILLED TILAPIA PO'BOYS WITH HOMEMADE TARTAR SAUCE

Steps:

• Prepare a medium grill or preheat the broiler. If using the broiler, line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• To make the tartar sauce: In a small bowl, combine the mayonnaise, pickles, onion, lemon juice, and garlic powder. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Brush the tilapia fillets with the olive oil and season with the salt and pepper. Cut the bread into four 7-inch sections and cut each section in half lengthwise.
• Place the tilapia on the grill or, if broiling, place on the prepared baking sheet. Grill or broil, 4 inches from the heat, turning once, for about 6 minutes total, or until the tilapia flakes easily with a fork and is cooked through. Lay the bread on the grill or broiler cut side down and grill or broil for about 1 minute, or until toasted.
• For each po'boy, place 1 tilapia fillet on the bottom slice of bread, followed by 2 slices of tomato and 1 lettuce leaf. Spread the top slice of bread with 2 tablespoons of the tartar sauce and place it on top of the sandwich.
• The best way to keep fish or other items from sticking to your grill grate is to keep it clean. Brush the grate with a stiff wire brush before you light the fire.