Hushpuppy Battered Catfish Nuggets With Spicy Tartar Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• Fill a large Dutch oven fitted with a deep-frying thermometer halfway with oil and heat to 360 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels and fit with a wire rack.
• Unwrap the catfish and place on a parchment-lined quarter sheet tray. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes to chill and firm up.
• Meanwhile, whisk together the cornmeal, corn flour and Cajun seasoning in a pie plate or casserole dish. In a second pie plate, beat together the eggs, hot sauce, some salt and pepper and 1/2 cup water.
• Remove the fish from the freezer and use a boning knife to very carefully cut each fillet into thin pieces. (You should be able to get 4 to 5 pieces from each fillet.)
• In batches, dredge the fish through the egg mixture and then through the cornmeal mixture, then add to the hot oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry, turning as needed, until crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove to the prepared wire rack. Repeat with the remaining catfish.
• Serve the catfish with the Spillway Sauce on the side.
• Mix together the mayonnaise, ketchup, Cajun seasoning and Worcestershire in a small bowl.

Steps:

• Whisk 3/4 cup cornmeal, 1/4 cup flour, 2 tablespoons sugar and 3/4 teaspoon each baking soda and salt in a bowl. Stir in 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup each buttermilk and corn kernels, 1 minced jalapeno, 4 minced scallions, and pepper to taste. Deep-fry spoonfuls of the batter in 350 degrees F vegetable oil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes.

Steps:

• Stir together first 7 ingredients in a medium bowl; let stand 5 minutes.
• Pour oil in a large deep skillet over medium heat (oil should be to a depth of 1/2 inch in skillet); heat oil to 350°F.
• Pat catfish dry with paper towels, and cut into bite-size pieces. Dredge catfish pieces in flour, and then dip in hush puppy batter mixture.
• Add catfish pieces into hot oil, and fry, in batches, 3 to 4 minutes on each side or until golden. Serve with spicy tartar sauce.