Front Porch Fried Catfish Food

TEXAS FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Thaw frozen fish.
• Sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper.
• Beat eggs slightly and blend in the milk.
• Dip fish in eggs and roll in cornmeal.
• Place fish in a heavy fry pan which contains about 1/8" melted fat, hot but not smoking.
• Fry at a moderate heat.
• When fish is brown on one side, turn carefully and brown on the other side.
• Drain on absorbent paper.
• Serve immediately on a hot platter, plain or with a sauce.

PAT'S PAN-FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Dry your catfish filets with paper towels.
• Pour 1 cup of the flour on a plate and "dust" the filets and set them aside on another plate for about half an hour. (This process helps to keep the coating on the fish as they fry).
• Next, heat the shortening in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Set up a shallow medium-sized bowl and a dinner plate for "drenching" and "dredging" the fillets.
• In the bowl, break the eggs and beat them a bit, then add the buttermilk and the lemon juice and whisk these ingredients a few seconds until blended.
• On the plate, pour the remaining cup of flour, cornmeal, garlic salt, thyme, table salt, baking soda, and fennel (if you're using it). Mix it up with a fork or with your fingers.
• Dip a fillet into the liquid, coating it totally, and then allow it to drip off a bit. Then, roll it carefully in the flour/cornmeal mix until it is coated all over. Carefully lay the fillet in the hot oil. It should start frying immediately -- if not, your oil is not hot enough!
• Repeat this process until you have half of the fillets in the pan. You don't want to crowd them so plan on doing the fish in two separate batches.
• When the fillets have turned a golden brown on the bottom side, carefully turn them to fry the other side. Remove them to a plate with some paper towels on it once they are golden brown all over (about 3-4 minutes for each side). (The fillets should be snow-white in the thick portion of the fillet, and the meat should "flake apart" when pulled apart with a fork).
• Serve either as a sandwich, or, plate up the fish with side dishes (I like good coleslaw and baked beans with my catfish). A tangy tartar sauce is also good with fried catfish. Enjoy!
• NOTE: Pan-fried catfish makes an EXCELLENT breakfast, along with fried potatoes, when you're camping!

COUNTRY FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 10 inch cast iron skillet to 350°F.
• Combine all (DRY) ingredients in a large bowl.
• Dip cat fish in cold water, then coat with Dry mix.
• Place Cat fish in hot oil carefully not to burn your self, (do not over crowd fish).
• Fry till golden brown (about 5 to 10 minutes), remove to drain on paper towels.
• Serve with TarTar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.
• Suggested side dishes, Fried Potatoes& Onions,and Golden Hominy and Hush Puppies.

CLASSIC FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Rinse fillets, and pat dry.
• Combine all dry ingredients in a shallow dish.
• Dredge catfish in flour cornmeal mixture, pressing on breading so it adheres to fish, and place on waxed paper.
• Fry catfish in a large skillet in about 1/4" of hot oil (about 350 degrees F) until golden brown on both sides, about 6-8 minutes total.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Serve with lemon wedges and tartar sauce.

FRONT PORCH FRIED CATFISH

Steps:

• Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish.
• Dip fillets in buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off; sprinkle with salt and peppers, and dredge in cornbread mixture.
• Pour oil to depth of 4 inches into an electric fryer or Dutch oven; heat to 400 degrees.
• Fry fillets, two at a time, 2 to 3 minutes or until they float; drain on paper towels.
• Serve immediately.