| For much of my early life I had a | | | | Others are literally gigantic; the |
| love-hate relationship with catfish.I | | | | largest freshwater fish on record is a |
| would go fishing with my dad, who liked | | | | 646-pound Mekong giant catfish that some |
| to cast a line from one of the many | | | | fishermen in Thailand somehow managed to |
| piers built out into the Gulf of Mexico | | | | catch.Most of the catfish that you buy |
| from the shores of Louisiana, Alabama | | | | at the store will weigh between one and |
| and Florida. His fellow anglers | | | | two pounds. This is the weight range |
| frequently reeled in catfish, which too | | | | that catfish farmers aim for in their |
| often were left to expire on the planks | | | | effort to promote product |
| of the pier, their stiff dorsal fin | | | | consistency.The following are some |
| sticking almost straight into the air, | | | | catfish recipes you might wish to |
| ready to deliver a painful sting to any | | | | try:Catfish in Beer BatterIngredients3 |
| barefooted kid unfortunate enough to | | | | cups self-rising flour2 cups beer, |
| step on it. One day, one of those | | | | whichever brand you prefer1 clove |
| unlucky barefoot kids happened to be | | | | garlic, minced1 teaspoon salt1 teaspoon |
| me.All I can remember from that | | | | black pepper6 catfish filletsCooking oil |
| misadventure is searing pain shooting | | | | Directions1. Combine 1 1/2 cups flour, |
| through my foot and up into my leg, and | | | | beer, garlic, salt and black pepper in a |
| being taken to a hospital emergency | | | | bowl.2. Dredge catfish fillets in the |
| room. Lesson: When handling | | | | remaining flour, and then in the better |
| catfish--dead, alive, or dying--be very | | | | created in step 1.3. Heat cooking oil in |
| careful. (I've since learned that a | | | | skillet. Fry fillets in hot oil until |
| catfish's stinging ability lies with a | | | | golden.4. Drain fillets on absorbent |
| particular protein that it can deliver | | | | paper towels, and serve hot.Tip: Make |
| via its fins. True biology fact!)On the | | | | tabasco or other hot sauce available for |
| other hand, I have to say that eating a | | | | your guests to put on the catfish, if |
| mess of fried catfish on a big screened | | | | they wish. Also, have plenty of cold |
| porch on a soft southern night is an | | | | beer on hand to drink!Baked/Broiled |
| experience I'm dearly miss, and one that | | | | CatfishIngredients4 whole large catfish1 |
| I wish I could share with my own | | | | 2 cup tomato sauce2 packages shredded |
| children.The South is the epicenter of | | | | cheddar or Mexican cheese2 tablespoons |
| catfish culture in the United States. | | | | Parmesan cheese, grated1 tablespoon |
| Most catfish consumption takes place in | | | | parsley flakesCooking oilDirections1. |
| this region. Traditionally, southerners | | | | Brush fish, inside and outside, with |
| bread it with cornmeal and fry it. But | | | | tomato sauce.2. Grease a baking large |
| there are numerous other ways to prepare | | | | baking dish. Place fish in dish and |
| it, too.Thanks to farmed catfish, this | | | | brush with a little cooking oil.4. |
| southern staple is showing up on seafood | | | | Sprinkle the two cheeses and the parsley |
| shelves in other regions, too. That's a | | | | flakes over the fish and bake in an oven |
| positive development. It's an | | | | at 350 degrees for approximately 30 |
| inexpensive food, yet one that is | | | | minutes.5. Turn fish over and broil |
| particularly high in protein and other | | | | close to top heat of oven for 2 |
| nutritional goodness.Nearly all U.S. | | | | minutes.Grilled CatfishIngredients 6 |
| farm-raised catfish, by the way, comes | | | | catfish filletsJuice of 2 lemons1/3 cup |
| from four states: Alabama, Arkansas, | | | | cooking oil1 teaspoon saltDirections1. |
| Louisiana and Mississippi. This industry | | | | Combine all ingredients (except fillets) |
| employs over 13,000 people. Catfish | | | | in a casserole dish to create a |
| farming is also economically important | | | | marinade.2. Place fillets in casserole |
| in parts of South America and Asia.So | | | | dish with marinade. Let stand in |
| just what is a catfish? The name applies | | | | refrigerator overnight.3. Grill |
| to an incredibly large number of | | | | marinated fillets over hot coals 4 to 6 |
| different species, but they all have | | | | minutes per side, or until the fish |
| prominent barbels, resembling a cat's | | | | flakes when pierced with a fork.Sarah |
| whiskers--hence the name. Most catfish | | | | Sandori is the food and entertaining |
| are found in freshwater habitats, though | | | | columnist for the Solid Gold Info |
| some--like the "cat" that sent | | | | Writers Consortium. Have you ever |
| me to the hospital--live in the sea. | | | | wanted to be able to exactly duplicate a |
| Catfish range greatly in size, too. Some | | | | favorite dish from a favorite |
| are tiny, and may be kept in aquaria. | | | | restaurant? |