Whole Catfish Recipe
A 1-lb whole catfish dredged in seasoned cornmeal and fried. Served with fries, 2 hushpuppies, and a side of tartar sauce and cocktail sauce.
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Ingredients
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Catfish
Hushpuppies
Sauces
Fries
Method
Preparing the Catfish
- 1
Clean the Catfish
Rinse the whole catfish under cold water, and make sure to remove any remaining scales and guts if not already done.
- 2
Prepare the Dredge
In a large bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well.
- 3
Dredge the Catfish
Coat the cleaned catfish thoroughly in the seasoned cornmeal mixture, ensuring every part is covered.
Frying the Catfish
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a large frying pan or deep fryer, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 5
Fry the Catfish
Carefully place the dredged catfish into the hot oil. Fry for about 8-10 minutes on each side or until golden brown and cooked through. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Making the Hushpuppies
- 6
- 7
Fry the Hushpuppies
Heat oil in a separate pot. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until they float and are golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels.
Preparing the Fries
- 8
Cook the French Fries
Prepare and cook the frozen French fries according to the package instructions, either in the oven or in a deep fryer.
Serving
- 9
Plate the Dish
Serve the fried catfish with a side of fries, 2 hushpuppies, and a cup of both tartar sauce and cocktail sauce for dipping.
