Today in 1987, President Ronald Reagan declared it National Catfish Day which is a national observance of the United States celebrating “the value of farm-raised catfish.” Reagan issued the Presidential Proclamation after the U.S. Congress called for the day to be established in House Joint Resolution 178. Here are some great catfish recipes!
Southern Fried Catfish
- 8 (5 to 6-ounce) catfish fillets, skin removed
- Salt
- Crab boil seasoning (recommended: Old Bay)
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- Oil, for frying
Directions
Heat a fryer or a deep pot halfway filled with oil to 350 degrees F. Sprinkle both sides of each catfish with salt and crab boilseasoning. In a separate bowl, combine the flour and the cornmeal. Dredge the catfish in the flour mixture and place in fryer. Deep fry for approximately 7 to 8 minutes until done. Drain on paper towels.
Catfish Gumbo
- 1 pound catfish fillets, cut into 1 inch pieces
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup celery, chopped
- 1/2 cup green bell pepper, chopped
- 1/2 cup onion, chopped
- 1 clove garlic, chopped
- 2 cups water
- 2 cubes beef bouillon
- 2 (8 ounce) cans diced tomatoes
- 1 (10 ounce) package frozen okra
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 bay leaf
- 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
Directions
- In a 3 quart pot, bring the 2 cups of water to a boil. Dissolve the bouillon cubes in the boiling water.
- In a medium skillet, heat the vegetable oil, and cook the celery, green pepper, onion and garlic until tender.
- Add the tomatoes, okra and cooked vegetables to the boiling water. Season with salt, red pepper flakes, thyme, bay leaf and hot pepper sauce. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add catfish, cover and simmer for 15 minutes or until catfish is flaky and tender.
Healthy Grilled Catfish – Cajun Styled
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon lemon pepper seasoning
1 teaspoon white pepper
1 teaspoon Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon blackened fish seasoning
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 catfish fillets
non-stick cooking spray
lemon wedges and celery tops
Directions:
Combine first 4 ingredients in a small bowl. Sprinkle lemon juice and seasoning mixture on both sides of fish.
Spray a wire fish basket with cooking spray; place fish in basket. Grill fish, covered, over medium coals (400 degrees F) for 7 to 10 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Remove fish from basket; place on a serving platter. Garnish with lemon wedges and celery tops.
