August is National Catfish Month, time to pay tribute to an outstanding American product that contributes to our state and nation’s economy, while providing consumers with a healthy, safe and great-tasting food. To celebrate, we thought we’d share this delicious recipe you can use to feed a dozen or more people at your next home fish fry. The hot sauce/milk marinade adds a nice piquant flavor to the catfish without making it spicy hot. Your dinner guests are sure to love it. Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 6 pounds farm-raised catfish steaks and/or fillets
- 3 (3-oz.) bottles Louisiana hot sauce
- 12 cups milk
- 3 cups yellow cornmeal
- 1 cup flour
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1-1/2 teaspoons cayenne pepper
- 1-1/2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Peanut oil
Directions
Marinate catfish 1 to 2 hours in a mixture of hot sauce and milk. Remove fish and drain.
Combine the dry ingredients in a large plastic bag. Add the fish a little at a time and shake to coat.
Cook the fish in 2 inches of peanut oil in a deep fryer heated to 365 degrees. Fry until the thickest part of the fish flakes easily with a fork, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove and drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining fish. Serves 12-15.