Crispy Cayenne Cocktail Catfish Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• To make the Spicy Tartar Sauce: Mix all the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• In a deep 12-inch pan set over medium-high heat, add enough oil so it comes 1/3 of the way up the sides. Heat the oil to 375 degrees F.
• In a wide-mouth bowl, whisk the eggs with the hot sauce, seafood seasoning and a pinch of salt. In a small paper bag, mix together the cornmeal, flour, cornstarch, and salt and pepper, to taste. Dredge the catfish in egg mixture, then in the flour mixture. Gently shake off excess flour. Set aside and repeat with remaining flounder. Fry the fish in batches until golden, about 2 to 3 minutes each side, being careful to keep the temperature at 375 degrees F. Remove catfish to a paper towel to drain and immediately season with salt.
• Slice the sandwich rolls in half, slather the cut sides with butter and season with salt. Arrange, cut side up, on a baking sheet and toast in the oven until lightly golden, about 8 minutes. An alternate is to put them, buttered side down, on a griddle or under a broiler, and toast until golden. Set aside.
• To assemble sandwiches, slather the rolls with the Spicy Tartar Sauce, top with lettuce and catfish, and serve.

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine the first four ingredients. Pat fillets dry; dip in butter, then coat with crumb mixture. , Using long-handled tongs, moisten a paper towel with cooking oil and lightly coat the grill rack. Grill fillets, covered, over medium-hot heat or broil 4 in. from the heat for 5 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

Steps:

• Place 1 tablespoon of oil in a heavy bottomed skillet over medium heat. Saute onion, green pepper, and carrot until golden brown; remove from the pan. Using the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, sear all of the fillets on both sides. Lay all of the fillets into the skillet, sprinkle with salt, pepper, Italian seasoning, and garlic powder. Top with the sauteed vegetables, and pour on the diced tomatoes, tomato sauce, and white wine.
• Bring to a simmer, and cook gently until the sauce has thickened slightly, and fish flakes easily with a fork, about 10 minutes.

Steps:

• Pat the catfish dry, and spread a layer of mustard over the surface. Place the cracked pepper onto a plate, and press the coated catfish into the pepper so it is well covered.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the catfish for 3 to 5 minutes on each side, or until fish flakes with a fork.

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, whick together the egg and milk.
• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the cereal, flour, cornmeal and seasonings.
• Dip the fish fillets into egg mixture, then coat with cereal mixture.
• In a large skillet, heat 1/4-inch of oil over medium-high heat.
• Fry the fillets for 5-7 minutes on each side.

Steps:

• Combine the catfish with the zest of one lime, the juice of both limes, the cayenne flakes, and the vermouth. Let marinate about 1 hour.
• Drain catfish well.
• Heat 1/2 an inch of oil, half olive and half canola, in a skillet on medium to medium high. (When ready a drop of water will sizzle but the oil won't be hot enough to smoke).
• Beat egg into milk in a shallow bowl.
• Combine 1/4 cup flour with salt and pepper to taste.
• Combine remaining dry ingredients in a plastic bag.
• Dip each piece of fish into the flour then into the egg/milk mixture. Shake in breading bag until well coated.
• Fry pieces in the hot oil until the first side is browned. Do not crowd the pieces in the pan. Turn and brown the other side. Repeat until all batches are done.
• Serve with hot sauce, additional cayenne pepper flakes, lime wedges, and lemon wedges available at the table.
• I suggest completing the meal with baked sweet potatoes and cole slaw.
• Note: Today's farm-raised catfish is almost never muddy-tasting, but if yours is wild-caught the lime and vermouth marinade will eliminate the problem.