How to Cook Catfish

For much of my early life I had a love-hateThe following are some catfish recipes you might
relationship with catfish.wish to try:
I would go fishing with my dad, who liked to cast aCatfish in Beer Batter
line from one of the many piers built out into the GulfIngredients
of Mexico from the shores of Louisiana, Alabama and3 cups self-rising flour
Florida. His fellow anglers frequently reeled in catfish,2 cups beer, whichever brand you prefer
which too often were left to expire on the planks of1 clove garlic, minced
the pier, their stiff dorsal fin sticking almost straight1 teaspoon salt
into the air, ready to deliver a painful sting to any1 teaspoon black pepper
barefooted kid unfortunate enough to step on it. One6 catfish fillets
day, one of those unlucky barefoot kids happened toCooking oil Directions
be me.1. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, beer, garlic, salt and black
All I can remember from that misadventure is searingpepper in a bowl.
pain shooting through my foot and up into my leg,2. Dredge catfish fillets in the remaining flour, and
and being taken to a hospital emergency room.then in the better created in step 1.
Lesson: When handling catfish--dead, alive, or3. Heat cooking oil in skillet. Fry fillets in hot oil until
dying--be very careful. (I've since learned that agolden.
catfish's stinging ability lies with a particular protein4. Drain fillets on absorbent paper towels, and serve
that it can deliver via its fins. True biology fact!)hot.
On the other hand, I have to say that eating a messTip: Make tabasco or other hot sauce available for
of fried catfish on a big screened porch on a softyour guests to put on the catfish, if they wish. Also,
southern night is an experience I'm dearly miss, andhave plenty of cold beer on hand to drink!
one that I wish I could share with my own children.Baked/Broiled Catfish
The South is the epicenter of catfish culture in theIngredients
United States. Most catfish consumption takes place4 whole large catfish
in this region. Traditionally, southerners bread it with1/2 cup tomato sauce
cornmeal and fry it. But there are numerous other2 packages shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese
ways to prepare it, too.2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese, grated
Thanks to farmed catfish, this southern staple is1 tablespoon parsley flakes
showing up on seafood shelves in other regions, too.Cooking oil
That's a positive development. It's an inexpensiveDirections
food, yet one that is particularly high in protein and1. Brush fish, inside and outside, with tomato sauce.
other nutritional goodness.2. Grease a baking large baking dish. Place fish in dish
Nearly all U.S. farm-raised catfish, by the way, comesand brush with a little cooking oil.
from four states: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and4. Sprinkle the two cheeses and the parsley flakes
Mississippi. This industry employs over 13,000 people.over the fish and bake in an oven at 350 degrees for
Catfish farming is also economically important in partsapproximately 30 minutes.
of South America and Asia.5. Turn fish over and broil close to top heat of oven
So just what is a catfish? The name applies to anfor 2 minutes.
incredibly large number of different species, but theyGrilled Catfish
all have prominent barbels, resembling a cat'sIngredients
whiskers--hence the name. Most catfish are found in6 catfish fillets
freshwater habitats, though some--like theJuice of 2 lemons
"cat" that sent me to the hospital--live in1/3 cup cooking oil
the sea. Catfish range greatly in size, too. Some are1 teaspoon salt
tiny, and may be kept in aquaria. Others are literallyDirections
gigantic; the largest freshwater fish on record is a1. Combine all ingredients (except fillets) in a casserole
646-pound Mekong giant catfish that some fishermendish to create a marinade.
in Thailand somehow managed to catch.2. Place fillets in casserole dish with marinade. Let
Most of the catfish that you buy at the store willstand in refrigerator overnight.
weigh between one and two pounds. This is the3. Grill marinated fillets over hot coals 4 to 6 minutes
weight range that catfish farmers aim for in theirper side, or until the fish flakes when pierced with a
effort to promote product consistency.fork.