Ingredients
- Canola oil, for frying
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter
- 2 garlic cloves, smashed
- 2 long soft-crusted French bread baguettes
- 6 (6-ounce) catfish fillets
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup milk
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup yellow cor meal
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- Pinch cayenne
- Sliced pickles
- 1 recipe Spicy Slaw, recipe follows
- Hot sauce, for serving
- Lemon wedges, for serving
Directions
Pour about 3 inches of oil in a deep fryer or large, heavy pot and heat to 375 degrees F. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F.
Melt the butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the smashed garlic and swirl the pot around to infuse the garlic flavor into the butter. Slice the French bread in 1/2 lengthwise and brush the top and insides with the garlic butter. Stick the bread in the oven for 5 minutes to warm it through.
Season both sides of the catfish fillets with a fair amount of salt and pepper. In a wide bowl, mix the milk and egg together, season with salt and pepper. Mix the cornmeal, flour, cayenne, salt and pepper in a pie dish using a fork. Dip the catfish in the wet batter, then dredge in the dry; being sure to cover the fillets completely. Gently drop the fish in the hot oil in batches so the pan is not overcrowded. Fry the fillets for 3 minutes and then drain on a platter lined with paper towels; sprinkle with salt while they are still hot.
To assemble the sandwich, put the pickles across the bottom 1/2 of the bread, lay the fried catfish on top. Spoon a small mound of slaw on top of the catfish and close up the sandwich with the top 1/2 of the bread. Cut into portions and serve immediately with hot sauce and lemon on the side.
Spicy Slaw:
1 head green cabbage, shredded
2 carrots, grated
1 red onion, thinly sliced
2 green onions, chopped
1 red chile, sliced
11/2 cups mayonnaise
1/4 cup Creole mustard
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 lemon, juiced
Pinch sugar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
Several dashes hot sauce
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Combine the cabbage, carrot, red onion, green onions, and chile in a large bowl.
In another bowl, mix the mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, lemon juice, and sugar; stirring to incorporate. Pour the dressing over the cabbage mixture and toss gently to mix. Season the cole slaw with celery seed, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Chill for 2 hours in refrigerator while frying the catfish.
Yield: 8 to 10 cups
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By Cajun Babe
San Diego CA
on February 22, 2013
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I used yellow fin tuna instead of catfish. I was out of catfish.. :( Other than that followed the recipe and it is Amazing!
By janine1027_9602999
New Lexington, OH
on January 22, 2012
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Wonderful and so easy! Make sure to add the salt after frying - it makes all the difference!!
By cookliz
Florida
on January 12, 2012
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This is a great recipe with lots of flavor! Instead of frying the catfish, I rubbed them with cajun seasoning and pan fried (to lessen the calories, but followed every other step to the T. Many compliments from my husband - the slaw and the garlicky bread and the catfish go so well together. Make it, you will not be disappointed.
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