Fried Catfish Po Boy Recipes

Steps:

• Combine coleslaw mix, pepperoncini peppers, red onion, mayonnaise, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, sugar, salt, 1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic, 1/2 teaspoon granulated onion, and lemon pepper in a large bowl. Toss until well combined. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• Place catfish fillets in a large shallow baking dish. Sprinkle hot sauce over the top and turn the fillets to coat.
• Combine Cajun seasoning, flour, cornmeal, bread crumbs, 1 tablespoon granulated garlic, 1 tablespoon granulated onion, black pepper, and cayenne pepper in a large brown paper bag. Add catfish fillets and shake gently to coat fillets thoroughly.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry breaded catfish fillets until browned and crisp, about 3 minutes per side. Place on paper towel-lined paper plates to drain.
• Spread each hoagie bun with 1/4 cup remoulade-style spread. Place 2 catfish fillets on top and top with 1 to 2 cups coleslaw. Garnish with lemon wedge, cherry tomato halves, and banana pepper rings.

Steps:

• For the remoulade: Combine the celeriac, mayonnaise, ketchup, mustard, capers, scallion, anchovy, hot sauce, garlic and lemon juice in a bowl. Season with salt and pepper, and mix well.
• For the fried catfish: In a large heavy skillet, heat the oil to 365 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
• Set up 3 pans. In the first, mix 1/2 cup of the flour and some salt and pepper. In the second, mix the milk and the hot sauce. In the third, mix the remaining 1/2 cup flour and the cornmeal and cornstarch; season with salt and pepper
• Dredge the catfish fillets first through the flour, shaking off any excess. Next, dredge in the milk mixture, again shaking off the excess. Finally, dredge the catfish in the cornmeal mixture, making sure the fillets are completely coated. Let sit for 5 minutes.
• Carefully slide the breaded fillets into the hot oil and cook until golden brown and cooked through, about 10 minutes.
• Assemble the sandwich: Spread the cut sides of the baguettes with remoulade. Layer with sliced tomatoes, shredded lettuce and a catfish fillet. Chow down!

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 200 degrees F. Heat the oil in a large, deep heavy-bottomed skillet or Dutch oven over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Line 2 baking sheets with paper towels.
• For the fried fish po' boys: If using skin-on fish fillets, remove the skin, then cut into 4 equal pieces. Season each side of the 4 fillets with 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning. Whisk together the eggs, milk and 2 teaspoons of the Creole seasoning in a large shallow bowl, baking dish or cake pan. Whisk together the flour and the remaining 1 tablespoon of the Creole seasoning in a second large shallow bowl, baking dish or cake pan.
• Dip 2 fillets in the egg mixture and carefully shake off any excess. Dip the fillets in the flour mixture and shake off any excess. Fry the fillets, flipping halfway through, until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes depending on the thickness of your fish. Transfer the fish to the second prepared baking sheet and keep warm in the oven until ready to serve. Bring the oil back to 350 degrees F, then repeat with the remaining 2 fillets.
• For the Cajun French fries: Cut the potatoes into 1 1/2-inch sticks and transfer to a large bowl of cold water. Stir until the water is cloudy. Drain the potatoes, transfer to one of the prepared baking sheets, top with paper towels, press down to blot and let sit until the potatoes are dry, 1 to 2 minutes.
• Working in batches, gently add some potatoes to the hot oil, carefully shaking the skillet if needed to make sure the potatoes are completely covered with the oil. Fry until pale golden, about 2 minutes. Transfer the fries with a spider to the same baking sheet. Bring the oil back to 350 degrees F between batches.
• Increase the temperature of the oil to 400 degrees F. Working in batches, add the fries and cook until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Transfer to the same baking sheet, sprinkle the Creole seasoning over top and toss with tongs.
• To assemble the po' boys: Evenly spread 1/4 cup mayonnaise on each baguette half. Place 1 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup pickles, half of the tomatoes, 2 fried fish fillets and hot sauce on the bottom half. Add some fries if desired, then add the top half. Repeat with the remaining baguette, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, fried fish fillets and hot sauce.
• For the Creole mayo: Stir together the mayonnaise, Creole seasoning and hot sauce in a small bowl. Serve with the po' boys and Cajun French fries.

Steps:

• To make the seasoned fry cornmeal: mix together all the ingredients (makes enough for about five 5-7 oz. catfish fillets).
• In a deep frying pan or pot, preheat enough vegetable oil to completely submerge the catfish, to 350°.
• Dredge the catfish fillet in the seasoned cornmeal; fry fillet in oil for 8 minutes (the catfish will float when done).
• Remove fillet from oil and place on paper towels or a brown paper bag to drain.
• Spread the top slice of toasted french bread with mayo.
• Add a layer of hamburger dill pickle slices and sprinkle with shredded green cabbage.
• Put the catfish fillet on the bottom slice; sandwich the two halves together; cut on the diagonal and serve right away.
• Additional or other topping suggestions: cheddar cheese, bacon, celery-seed laced coleslaw, jalapeno tartar sauce, Louisiana hot sauce.