Southern Fried Catfish with Hush Puppies
Indulge in a classic Southern comfort food delight with this mouthwatering recipe for Southern Fried Catfish with Hush Puppies! Perfectly crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, this dish is sure to satisfy all of your cravings for a hearty meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb catfish fillets
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil for frying
Instructions:
- In a shallow dish, mix together cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Dip catfish fillets into buttermilk, then coat with the cornmeal mixture.
- Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry catfish fillets for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- For the hush puppies, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir in onion, jalapeno, green bell pepper, and buttermilk until well combined.
- Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or pot to 375°F. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes.
- Serve the fried catfish and hush puppies together with tartar sauce and enjoy!
Popular questions:
- Can I use a different type of fish for this recipe?
- Can I bake the catfish instead of frying?
- Can I make the hush puppies ahead of time?
- What can I serve as a side dish with this meal?
- Can I make the hush puppies without jalapeno?
Yes, you can use other types of white fish such as cod or tilapia.
Yes, you can bake the catfish in the oven at 400°F for about 15-20 minutes.
Yes, you can prepare the hush puppies batter ahead of time and fry them when ready to serve.
Collard greens, coleslaw, or mac and cheese make great side dishes for this Southern meal.
Yes, you can omit the jalapeno if you prefer a milder flavor.
Helpful tips:
- For extra flavor, try adding cajun seasoning or Old Bay seasoning to the cornmeal mixture.
- To make the hush puppies extra crispy, you can deep fry them twice.
- Draining the fried catfish and hush puppies on paper towels after frying will help absorb excess oil.
Expert Secrets:
- Marinating the catfish fillets in buttermilk for a few hours before breading will make them extra tender and flavorful.
- For a spicy kick, add hot sauce to the hush puppies batter.
- Using a cast iron skillet for frying will help maintain the oil temperature more consistently.
