Because if it is not good in the raw state, it will never be good after you cook it. Prepared correctly, fried catfish has a mild, nutty flavor and an appealingly crisp texture. It doesn't need to be this way. Shake bag to coat fish evenly. Though it's not one of the world's prettiest animals, the long-whiskered catfish is absolutely delicious when fried. Step 8- Transfer Catfish into pan. Shake the bowl to ensure catfish is well coated with the batter. Note- If you want to add some lemon flavor into your catfish, lightly squeeze a lemon on top of the catfish and coat the catfish again with the batter. For frying catfish, your biggest concerns will be the size of the fillet, and careful preparation of the breading. Let fry for 2 minutes. How to Fry Catfish. Frying your Catfish. Place 2 inches of oil in a medium saucepan over medium high heat. Simply soak the catfish in milk for an hour before frying to eliminate any leftover fishy taste. Meanwhile, place flour, cornmeal and Creole seasoning in a brown bag. If you need to store the fried fish longer, you can freeze the leftovers for up to 1 month. The typical Southern catfish restaurant offers all kinds of fried dishes, but fried catfish is always the star. Southerners know that fried catfish is the other white meat! I usually fry my catfish in cornmeal but flour is good, too. Like just about every eater (and imbiber), I have my weaknesses: cold fried chicken, bacon, backstrap, bourbon, fish tacos, sharp cheddar and pretzels. Frying catfish right is a pretty simple procedure, as long as you take these few suggestions to heart. Goodness sakes alive--who does that? Truly southern at its core, a simple cornmeal breading will make this the star of … Once the South's seafood secret, mild-flavored catfish has gained popularity nation-wide. Add just enough fish to fry in the first batch. Step 7- Transfer Catfish fillet into your batter. The work you do prior to frying will be decisive. Catfish is a staple in southern cooking and after one bite of this tasty fish, now I know why. How to reheat Fried Catfish: The oven is the best way to reheat your fried catfish in order to keep that crispy exterior. The fried catfish—and plenty of it—is usually served as a complete dinner … In most ways, pan-frying a whole catfish is a lot like pan-frying other fish. Fried dill pickles, fried okra, green tomatoes, and jalapeno peppers are commonly found on menus. Today I’m taking a detour from my favorite fish and chips recipe to bring you a southern classic, pan fried catfish. Heat oil to 350 degrees. It doesn't need to be this way. With its golden, crispy exterior and delicate, flaky fish inside, it’s a dream to eat. Fried catfish joins a long, sad list of regional southern dishes that are often done wrong: barbecue, grits, and fried chicken being a few other examples. Add some hush puppies and coleslaw and you got a mouth-watering meal. Step 1: Before You Fry. We like it both ways! However, since catfish live in the muddy bottoms of the water, some cooks prefer to use different or more intense spices to mask what many consider an unpleasant taste. Cooking Catfish No matter how you plan on cooking your catfish the first thing you need to do is buy a good quality catfish. Learn how to fry catfish that's crispy, golden and never breaded in a beer batter. Frying catfish right is a pretty simple procedure, as long as you take these few suggestions to heart. Add fish to hot oil. Cook until fish begins to brown, about 5 to 8 minutes. Southerners love a good “mess” of fish and catfish is a favorite in the South. The cooked fish will keep in the refrigerator for about 2 days. Can you freeze Fried Catfish? And catfish--preferably fried. Catfish were readily abundant in the Antebellum South and, due to their status as "bottom feeders," weren't deemed the most stylish dinner staples. Another thing is that I love to cook catfish, but hate to clean up.