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Our family has always enjoyed fishing in the spring and summer. Here’s an easy recipe for Fried Catfish to use at a weekend fish-fry for your family.
When it comes to preparing freshwater fish, I will almost always choose a frying method over baking or even grilling, as some may do. It’s how I ate it as a girl, and it’s still my preferred way. Sometimes, I will deep fry small pieces of fish in a batter. But for catfish, I almost always fry it in a cast iron skillet, which is how my husband (and my dad) likes it best.
Freshwater Fishing (Pond Fishing)
When my husband and I were first married, we went fishing often in the spring, before the ticks and chiggers became too much of a bother. I loved to fish in my grandma’s pond, where we were almost guaranteed to catch a nice-sized bass.
When our daughters grew old enough to join us, we took them on outings. At that point, my husband spent more time untangling fishing line and bating hooks than fishing. As the years passed, we fished less and less.
These days, my husband enjoys taking our grandchildren fishing at the ponds and lakes. So far, they haven’t caught the “big bass” of old, but they reel in a lot of tiny fish, and it’s fun for the kiddos.
We get most of our fresh fish from my husband’s Uncle Bob who is retired and does a LOT of fishing. He supplies us with all the fish we can eat. And we always enjoy the bounty he brings.
Ingredients for Fried Catfish
(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
A Few Tips for Frying Catfish
- Because catfish can sometimes have a “gamey wild” taste, I like to soak it in beer for 30-60 minutes before frying. I prefer a dark ale, but you can use any beer that you have on hand. This helps to remove any undesirable flavor.
- Cut your fish into whatever size you prefer. If I am deep frying the fish (for fish tacos), I will cut fish into 2″ or 3″ pieces, which cook quickly. However, if I’m frying the fish in a cast iron skillet, I will use larger pieces.
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare the Fish
On a cutting board, slice fish into desired lengths. Place in a shallow bowl. Pour beer over fish and allow to soak for 30-60 minutes before cooking.
Make the Homemade Tarter Sauce
While the fish is soaking, prepare the homemade tarter sauce. Spoon salad dressing into a small serving bowl. Add sweet relish and stir to mix.
If you prefer a tarter sauce that is less sweet, you may substitute real mayonnaise for the salad dressing, and dill relish for the sweet.
Using a gallon bag, combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, and Cajun spice. Mix well. See my recipe for Cajun Spice Mix Here.
Place pieces of strained fish into the cornmeal mixture. Toss until fish is well coated.
Fry the Fish
Preheat enough peanut oil in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven for frying, between 1 and 4 inches.
When oil has reached the proper temperature to ensure crispness (at least 375°F), add 10-12 pieces of fish at a time. Cook for 3-4 minutes until a deep golden brown on both sides.
Remove fish with a spatula or wire strainer and place on paper towels to soak up excess oil. Sprinkle fish with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper as desired.
If needed, return oil to cooking temperature and repeat until all of the fish has been fried. This recipe will serve 4-6 people.
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Fried Catfish
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Ingredients
- 2 pounds fillet catfish (cut into 2″ pieces)
- 1 bottle dark ale beer
- 1 1/2 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2-3 tablespoons Cajun spice (See Recipe Here)
- 1 quart Peanut oil for frying
- salt and pepper for seasoning
Homemade Tarter Sauce
- 1 cup salad dressing ((like Miracle Whip))
- 1/2 cup sweet relish
Instructions
- Gather the ingredients so you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.
Prepare the Fish
- On a cutting board, slice fish into desired lengths. If I am deep frying the fish (for fish tacos), I will cut fish into 2-3" pieces. However, if I'm frying the fish in a cast iron skillet, I will use bigger pieces.
- Place the fish in a shallow bowl. Pour dark ale beer over fish and allow to soak for 30-60 minutes before cooking.
Make the Tarter Sauce
- While the fish is soaking, prepare the homemade tarter sauce. Spoon salad dressing in a small serving bowl.
- Stir in sweet relish until combined.
- (If you prefer a tarter sauce that is less sweet, you may substitute real mayonnaise for the salad dressing, and a dill relish in place of sweet.)
Fry the Fish
- Using a gallon bag, combine cornmeal, all-purpose flour, and Cajun spice. Mix well. Place pieces of strained fish into the flour. Toss until fish is well coated.
- Preheat enough oil in a cast iron skillet or Dutch oven for frying, between 1-4 inches.
- When oil has reached the proper temperature (375℉), add 10-12 pieces of fish at a time, being careful not to overcrowd. Cook for 3-4 minutes until a deep golden brown on both sides.
- Remove fish with a spatula or wire strainer and place on paper towels to soak up excess oil. Sprinkle fish with salt and pepper as desired.
- If needed, return oil to cooking temperature and repeat until all of the fish has been fried. Serves 4-6.
oh my I love catfish I haven't had that in ages. I'll have mine with malt vinegar please and tartar sauce! yummmm….