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Prep Time: 30 Minutes Cook Time: 0 Minutes |
Ready In: 30 Minutes Servings: 4 |
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For a real southern meal, pair this dish with the bacon scallion hush puppies. Ingredients:
1 large egg |
1/3 cup whole milk |
1/2 teaspoon salt |
30 saltines |
1/4 teaspoon cayenne |
4 (5- to 7-oz) catfish fillets |
6 cups vegetable oil (48 fl oz) |
accompaniments: tartar sauce and lemon wedges |
Directions:
1. Whisk together egg, milk, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Pulse saltines in a food processor until finely ground, then stir together with cayenne and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a shallow baking dish. 2. Dip 1 catfish fillet into egg mixture, letting excess drip off, then dredge in saltines to coat and transfer to a wax-paper-lined tray. Coat remaining fillets in same manner. 3. Preheat oven to 300°F. 4. Heat oil in a 4- to 5-quart heavy pot (preferably cast-iron) over high heat until it registers 360°F on thermometer. Carefully lower 1 fillet into oil (temperature of oil will drop to 340°F), then fry until golden and just cooked through, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer fillet with a slotted spatula to a rack set over paper towels to drain briefly, then transfer to a shallow baking pan and keep hot in oven. Fry remaining fillets in same manner, returning oil to 360°F each time. |
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