CATFISH COOKED RECIPES

Steps:

• In a bowl, add the 2 cups milk and a heavy pinch of salt. Whisk to dissolve and add the fish chunks. Allow to soak at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Set up the dredging station: In the first bowl, add 1 cup flour. In the second bowl, whisk the eggs and add the remaining 2 tablespoons milk. In the third bowl, add the remaining 1 cup flour, the cornmeal, sugar and a pinch of salt followed by a few grinds of pepper.
• In a frying pan with straight sides, add enough oil to fill 1-inch deep. Heat until the oil begins to swirl and the handle of a wooden spoon begins to sizzle as soon as it hits the oil. The oil will be about 350 degrees F.
• Remove the fish from the milk in batches of 6 to 8 chunks. Shake the excess milk off the fish. Dredge in the flour, then the egg wash and then in the flour and cornmeal mixture. Add the batch to the oil, making sure to not overcrowd the pan and bring down the temperature. Fry, flipping once if needed, until a light golden brown and cooked through, about 6 minutes. Remove to a paper towel-lined plate and season with a sprinkle of salt. Repeat until all the fish chunks are done.
• In a small bowl, add the hot sauce and sift the sugar on top. Gently stir together. Drizzle over the nuggets or dunk them in the sauce.

Steps:

• Brown bacon or fatback in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat until crisp. Add onions and celery then sauté until onions are tender (3-5 minutes).
• Add tomatoes, ketchup, worcestershire, seasonings and potatoes then stir well. Add water to the pot until potatoes are just submerged. 
• Bring pot to a boil then reduce heat to medium-low, cover and cook for 20-30 minutes or until potatoes are tender.
• Directions for using catfish fillets: Add catfish, cover then continue cooking for 10 minutes. Proceed to Step 5.
• Directions for using whole, dressed catfish: Add whole, dressed catfish, cover then continue cooking for 15 minutes or until catfish is cooked through. Remove catfish from the pot then remove the cooked fish from the bones and skin. Discard bones and skin. Add cooked catfish back to the stew then gently stir. Proceed to next step.
• Taste for seasoning then add salt and pepper if desired. Remove from heat, cover then allow stew to rest for 15-20 minutes before serving.