Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2002

Show: The Essence of EmerilEpisode: Funky Tacos

Rated: 5 stars out of 5Rate itRead users' reviews (20)

RECIPE
COMMENTS & REVIEWS(20)

Cook Time:
10 min
Level:
Intermediate
Yield:
4 servings

Times:

Prep: 15 min
Inactive Prep: 1 min
Cook: 10 min
Total:: 26 min

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Ingredients

2 (6 to 8-ounce) catfish filets
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Creole mustard
1 teaspoon hot sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 cup flour
1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
1 tablespoon Essence, recipe follows
4 to 6 cups vegetable oil for deep-frying
2 teaspoons finely chopped chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (wear gloves please!)
1/2 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 pound shredded white cabbage (about 1 cup)
1/4 pound shredded red cabbage (about 1 cup)
1/4 cup finely chopped red onions
1/4 cup chopped green onions
8 crispy corn tortillas

Directions

Using a sharp knife, cut the catfish filets into 1-inch thick strips on the diagonal. Place fish in a medium mixing bowl along with the milk, Creole mustard, hot sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and cayenne pepper and stir to thoroughly combine. Refrigerate for 1 hour.

Meanwhile, make the Chipotle Slaw by combining the chipotle pepper, mayonnaise, honey and lime juice in a large mixing bowl. Stir well, then add the shredded cabbage, red onions, green onions and stir to thoroughly combine. Season with the remaining 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and refrigerate until ready to assemble the tacos.

Heat the vegetable oil in a large cast-iron skillet or a deep fryer until a thermometer registers 350 degrees F.

In a shallow plate or bowl combine the flour, cornmeal, and Essence. Dredge each piece of fish in the flour mixture until well coated on all sides. When the oil is hot, gently place the fish in the hot oil and deep fry until the fish is golden-brown on all sides, about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fish to a paper-lined plate to drain. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Using tongs, quickly dip the corn tortillas in the hot oil until they begin to sizzle. Transfer to paper-lined plates to drain briefly, then serve, with the catfish and slaw divided among the hot taco shells.

Essence (Emeril's Creole Seasoning):

2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
2 tablespoons salt
2 tablespoons garlic powder
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
1 tablespoon dried thyme

Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.

Yield: about 2/3 cup

Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

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Comments & Reviews

recipe Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw
Gayle Fort Worth, TX 08-10-2009
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Perfect for Texas!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Catfish is so much easier to get in Texas than something like mahi mahi and makes perfect fish tacos.. Amazing with the... Essence! Awesome slaw too! Read more
recipe Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw
Mary Beth Hilliard, OH 07-19-2009
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Hurray for Essence!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

Yum. I simplified a bit by just dredging the fish (I used talipia fillets) in the flour, cornmeal and Essence. Can't... imagine they could be better, but maybe next time I'll go for the marinade step. Also just used enough oil in large flat skillet to fry the fish. Deep frying isn't necessary - just need to be able to flip the fish carefully. Coleslaw was awesome and the perfect match for the fish. Instead of frying the tortillas in oil I lightly brushed with olive oil and crisped them on the grill just until they were toasty on both sides. Read more
recipe Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw
Chrissy Woodbridge, VA 04-23-2009
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Add 1/2 the amount of honey
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I didn't make the fish, but I did make the slaw several times. It's amazing, but only add 1/2 the honey (1 TB instead of 2... that it calls for) or its too sweet. Its really good though! Read more
recipe Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw
Pat Oreland, PA 03-10-2009
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Awesome Slaw
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I didn't make the catfish taco, but did meke the slaw to accompany BBQ pulled pork. It is excellent. Highly recommended. ... You can give it more kick by badding more chipotle, but proceed with caution.Read more
recipe Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw
Janice Arlington, VA 06-05-2008
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Excellent!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5

I love Rubio's fish tacos and since I've moved from Las Vegas I've missed them so much. Not so much tonight!! I've just... made the catfish tacos! They were awesome! I used soft corn tortillas and served them with lime. That slaw is very good and who doesn't love fried catfish?! :) I will be making these at least once a month.Read more
recipe Fried Catfish Taco with Chipotle Slaw
Crystal Casa Grande, AZ 05-20-2008
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Yucky chipotle slaw
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

The fish was good that was just about the only thing that me and my husband liked. The seasoning is tasteful. The chipotle... was yucky. It was yucky because it had to much of an onion flavor. Also, this recipe calls for way to much honey being added to the slaw. The honey made it too sweet.Read more