It’s Reel Easy: Oven Fried Catfish
In 1987, President Ronald Reagan issued a presidential proclamation declaring June 25 to be National Catfish Day, celebrating “a uniquely American food delicacy.”
It was a well-deserved honor. Catfish is versatile, tasty, low in mercury and consistently one of the most-consumed fish in the United States. Here’s an easy recipe to enjoy on this National Catfish Day.
Oven Fried Catfish
Ingredients
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 1/2 pounds catfish fillets cut into equal portions
1 cup cornmeal
2 teaspoons Creole seasoning
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon white sugar
½ teaspoon ground black pepper
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tablespoon hot sauce
Directions
- Preheat an oven to 425 degrees.
- Grease a 13×9 glass baking dish with the oil.
- Rinse the catfish fillets and pat dry with paper towels.
- In a bowl, combine the cornmeal, creole seasoning, paprika, sugar and black pepper.
- Combine the eggs and hot sauce in another bowl.
- Dip fillets in the egg mixture, dredge in the cornmeal mixture and place in dish.
- Bake for 15 -20 minutes until golden brown. Turn once during cooking.
- Serve immediately with additional hot sauce on the side.
— P.J. Butland