Fried Catfish

Catfish Coating Ingredients

4 fillets catfish a little over a pound, total
1½ cups oil vegetable, canola or peanut oil (you may need more or less; depends on how deep your skillet is) See Recipe Notes
2 cups cornmeal yellow
1 cup buttermilk
1 tablespoon cayenne pepper (red pepper, ground)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon black pepper
Tartar Sauce Ingredients
1 cup mayonnaise
2½ tablespoons relish , (dill or sweet); squeezed in a paper towel
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
¼ teaspoon sugar
¼ teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar or lemon
Instructions

Catfish Fillet Preparation
Pat fillets with paper towel
4 fillets catfish
Place fish in a large baking dish or plastic storage bag, pour in buttermilk; coat well; allow to sit for 10-minutes in refrigerator
1 cup buttermilk
Meanwhile, make tartar sauce; After the tartar sauce is made, coat and cook the fish
Coating Preparation
In a large bowl, add cornmeal, salt, pepper and cayenne; stir with fork till blended
2 cups cornmeal,1 teaspoon salt,1 teaspoon black pepper,1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
Using a cast-iron, or heavy bottom skillet, pour oil into skillet and heat to medium;
1½ cups oil
While oil is heating, take a fillet directly from the buttermilk and place it in the cornmeal; pat the cornmeal on the fillet; coat it all over, twice; repeat with remaining fillets
Check your skillet; the oil needs to be around 312 – 350ºF; you can sprinkle a few pieces of cornmeal in the oil to see if it sizzles; if it does sizzle, the oil is ready
Cooking in batches of two fillets, place them in the hot oil; DO NOT MOVE THE FILLETS until they’ve cooked for 2 1/2 – 3 minutes on one side
After 2 1/2 -3 minutes, use tongs and flip the fish over and cook for an additional 3 minutes
Use a thermometer to measure internal temperature; it should be 145ºF
Remove fillets from oil and place on a paper towel
Repeat until all fillets are cooked and drained
Plate fillets and serve with lemon and tartar sauce
Tartar Sauce Preparation
In a small bowl, combine all ingredients; refrigerate until ready to serve
1 cup mayonnaise,2½ tablespoons relish,¼ teaspoon onion powder,¼ teaspoon garlic powder,¼ teaspoon sugar,¼ teaspoon salt,1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar