Crispy Cajun Panfish Recipes

Steps:

• 1. Salt and pepper the bluegill fillets.
• 2. Beat the egg with the cream and cajun seasoning. Place in a shallow dish. Pour the panko in another shallow dish.
• 3. Dredge each fillet in egg mixture then panko then back into egg mixture and finish in panko pressing to keep panko on the fillet rather thick.
• 4. Place a skillet over high heat and get it hot. Add oil to come cover half way up each fillet. Fry the fish in batches without crowding the pan. Flip to brown on both sides. Only takes a couple of minutes depending on the thickness of you fish.

Steps:

• For the creamy grits: Heat the heavy cream and chicken stock to a simmer in a saucepot. Rain in the grits and cook, whisking frequently, for 5 to 6 minutes. Fold in the butter, cream cheese and Parmesan and season with salt and white pepper. Top with the milk and reserve (the milk will prevent a skin from forming). Fold in the milk just before serving.
• For the Cajun sauce: In a nonreactive saucepot, reduce the wine over medium heat until almost dry. Add the chicken stock, cream, Worcestershire, shallots and lemon juice and reduce slightly. Add the paprika, seafood seasoning and thyme and simmer until the sauce coats the back of a spoon, 5 to 6 minutes. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and whisk in the butter. Season with salt and black pepper.
• For the catfish: Heat a saute pan to medium heat. Dust the catfish with the Cajun spice on both sides. Add the grapeseed oil and catfish to the pan and cook until done, 3 to 4 minutes on each side. Transfer to a plate and top with the butter, making sure it melts completely. Reserve.
• For the crispy kale: Heat a saute pan to medium heat and add the grapeseed oil. Add the garlic and onions and sweat until the vegetables are translucent. Add the kale and saute until wilted, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken stock. Remove from the heat and fold in the butter. Season with salt and black pepper.
• To serve: Spoon some Cajun sauce in the center of each plate. Spoon some creamy grits on top of the sauce. Add the kale, followed by the catfish.

Steps:

• For the fish: Smear a light coating of Tabasco over the filets. Season with Tony's, then coat with Louisiana Fish Fry (or other seasoned corn meal), and place in freezer until ready to fry up. Note: You don't want the fish frozen, but very cold.
• Deep fry in hot oil. My brother in law cooks the fish out on the deck, using a liquid propane burner and a cast iron Dutch oven. He drops an unlit kitchen match in the oil. When it ignites, the oil is ready. That's around 325-350 degrees if you want to use a thermometer. Drop a few pieces of fish in at a time. Remove when golden brown and drop into a brown paper bag to drain and keep warm until all the fish is done.
• For the Hush Puppies: Crumble 1 1/2 sleeves of crackers by placing them in a zip lock bag and rolling with a rolling pin. Combine with remaining ingredients. Using two spoons, form into oval (foot ball shaped) balls.
• Drop into hot oil and cook until golden brown. Turning occasionally.
• For the Corn: Lightly coat each piece with the mustard. Coat with the fish fry, and deep fry in hot oil until golden brown.

Steps:

• Soak the fish pieces in milk for at least 30 minutes.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the egg and hot pepper sauce. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, cornmeal, pepper, mustard and Cajun seasoning. Dip fish pieces into the dry mixture, then into the egg, then back into the dry mix. Set on a plate in the refrigerator and chill for about 15 minutes. This will help the batter stick to the fish.
• Heat more than enough oil to cover the bottom of a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Fry fish pieces for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Depending on how much and what kind of Cajun seasoning you used, some of the breading may get darker than the rest.
• Drain the fish on paper towels and serve with hot sauce or tartar sauce. Enjoy!