Catfish Poorboy Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Fill a large Dutch oven halfway with oil. Heat to 350 degrees F over medium heat. Line a baking sheet with a wire cooling rack.
• Sprinkle the catfish with 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper and 1 teaspoon of the Cajun seasoning. Set up a breading station with 3 shallow dishes. In the first dish, season the flour with the remaining 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning. Lightly beat the egg in the second dish. Mix the breadcrumbs and a pinch of salt in the last dish. Bread the fillets in the flour, then the egg, then the breadcrumbs, allowing the excess from each to drip off. Carefully slip them into the hot oil and fry for 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove to the cooling rack. Place 2 slices of American cheese on each piece of fish and put in the oven until the cheese is melted, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the mayonnaise, tartar sauce, chives, capers, Dijon and sriracha in a medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, toss the lettuce with the red wine vinegar and a pinch of salt and pepper. Spread the sauce on both halves of the hoagie. Layer the bottom bun with pickles, tomatoes, fish, lettuce and assorted chips. Top with the other half of the bun.

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• In a heavy-bottomed pot, (Dutch oven) heat enough peanut oil to come halfway up the sides of the pot, to 365 degrees F.
• Slice the po' boy rolls in half, (not cutting through), and put them on a baking sheet. Lightly toast the bread in the preheated oven.
• Combine the corn flour, seasoning and salt and pepper, to taste, in a shallow dish. Pat the fillets dry and dredge them in the seasoned flour mixture, shaking of the excess.
• Once the oil is properly heated, carefully drop the catfish into the oil. Be careful not to overcrowd the pot. Fry until golden brown and beginning to float to the surface, about 5 minutes. Do not overcook. Carefully remove the fillets with a slotted spoon or spider and drain them on paper towels. Put 1 catfish fillet in each toasted roll and top with lettuce, tomatoes, and hot sauce. Serve with lemon wedges.

Steps:

• Cut rolls 2/3 through, leaving a "hinge.".
• Dig out bread from the crust, leaving 1/2 inch or so shell.
• In large skillet in 1 tablespoon oil, sauté garlic, jalapeño, red bell pepper strips, onion, tomato paste, crushed red pepper flakes and lime juice.
• Sauté for 3 minutes, then add 1 cup water and basil.
• Gently add room temperature fillets to the pan, pushing aside veggies. With pastry brush, brush liquid over fillets.
• Remove pan from stove top and place in oven under broiler and broil 8 minutes.
• Spoon some veggie mixture into bread shell, place fish fillet over, add more veggies, close and serve.