Ingredients
- yield: 3 to 4 servings (except in my family you can cut the number of servings in half)
- Fried foods are not greasy if they're cooked right. Properly cooked fried catfish will have a crunchy, not soggy, breading and tender, creamy meat. To ensure the breading stays crispy after cooking, place the fish on a cooling rack instead of paper towels. Soaking in buttermilk takes away any hint of a muddy flavor that's sometimes found in catfish.
- 1 pound catfish fillets
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 1/2 cups medium ground corn meal
- 1/2 cups self-rising flour
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Cut the catfish into portions about the width and length of two fingers (human fingers, that is). Place in a resealable disposable plastic bag. Add buttermilk. Close bag, removing as much air as possible. Gently turn the bag several times to coat the fish. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least one hour and as long as four hours.
- Add cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, onion powder, kosher salt, and cayenne pepper to a pie pan or similar size dish with a raised edge. Stir together dry ingredients.
- In a large cast iron skillet, heat 1 1/2 to 2 inches of cooking oil to 350 degrees.
- While the oil is heating, remove catfish pieces from buttermilk and dredge each piece in the breading. Set aside.
- When oil is hot enough, work in batches and drop a few pieces of fish in the hot oil. Let cook for 3 to 4 minutes until golden brown on one side. Flip and repeat on the other side. Drain on a rack when the fish is cooked.
- Repeat with remaining fish. Don't crowd the pan when cooking.
- Serve with lemon and cocktail sauce, ketchup, Comeback Sauce, or tartar sauce.