Fish Recipe Deep Fried Catfish

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Deep-Fried (or Sautéed) Catfish with Chili Cornmeal Crust, and Sweet Pepper, Corn, & Bacon Relish

The sweet pepper, corn, and bacon relish is a classic with any fried fish, particularly during summer when corn and peppers are ripe and super-sweet.

To serve two . . .

1/2 c. cornmeal

1/2 c. flour

1/4 tsp. chili powder

salt and pepper

1/2 c. fresh lemon juice

2 fillets, about 8 oz. each, rinsed in cold water and patted dry

2 tbsp. vegetable oil or bacon fat, or an inch of oil in a ­deeper pan for deep-frying

» Combine the cornmeal, flour, chili powder, salt and ­pepper. Dip each fillet in lemon juice then in the cornmeal mixture, carefully dusting each side of the fillets.

» Heat the fat in a heavy-bottomed skillet until it just starts to smoke. Put the fillets in the fat and cook about 5 minutes until golden brown.

» Turn the fillets and continue to cook about 4 minutes on the other side. If deep-frying, cook the fillets without ­turning, about 7 to 8 minutes or until golden brown.

» Remove the fish to a plate and garnish with the warm sweet relish or the horseradish sauce.

Sweet Pepper, Corn, & Bacon Relish€¦

3 slices bacon, finely diced

1/2 each green, red, and yellow bell peppers, seeded and diced, about 2 c. total

1 small red onion, diced

2 ears fresh corn (slice kernels off cobs), about 2 c.

1 tbsp. fresh thyme

1 tbsp. fresh chives

salt and pepper to taste

 Cook's Tip: In colder months, when we can't get fresh sweetcorn, this Horseradish Sour Cream Sauce is a good complement to fried

catfish. It also makes a fine dipping sauce for the Beer Batter Fish

Fry. And it's good with potatoes, baked or deep-fried.

» Place the bacon in a heavy-bottomed saucepan. Cook until the fat starts to render and the bacon gets crispy.

» Immediately add the peppers, onion, and corn. Cook over high heat stirring constantly, until the veggies are crispy and warmed through.

» Add the herbs and taste for final seasoning.

Horseradish Sour Cream Sauce€¦

Another simple sauce for any sautéed or deep-fried fish.

Mix together:

1 c. sour cream

2 heaping tbsp. prepared horseradish

juice of 1/2 lemon

salt and pepper

1 tbsp. fresh chives or parsley, chopped

Fish Recipe Deep Fried Catfish

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