Nick Wallace’s Catfish – It’s the Best!

Jul 5, 2018

I think I’ve found the best catfish recipe in the world, and it was invented by a man who grew up only a few miles from me as a child. It’s very easy to make and you already have all of the ingredients (except for the catfish) in your pantry. I used my deep fryer (a birthday gift from my mother) instead of the stove top, but you’ll see when you read it that either works just fine.

(as seen in Southern Living, July 2018)

Read the full story about Nick and then enjoy some catfish!

Ingredients

  • Peanut oil
  • 6 (4-oz.) Delacata catfish fillets
  • 1 cup whole milk or buttermilk
  • 3/4 cup fine yellow cornmeal
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 teaspoon dried thyme
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
  • 2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
  • Lemon wedges, for serving
  • Black-Eyed Pea Ranchero Sauce, for serving

How to Make It

Step 1

Preheat oven to 200°F. Pour enough peanut oil into a large, heavy frying pan to come 1⁄2 inch up sides. (Cast iron is best.) Heat over medium-high until oil reaches 350°F. (A good test is to flick a little of the dry breading into the oil. If it sizzles at once, you’re good to go.)

Step 2

While oil is heating, soak catfish in milk 5 minutes. Set a wire rack inside a large rimmed baking sheet, and place in preheated oven

Step 3

Combine cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, black pepper, thyme, paprika, cayenne, celery seeds, and 1 teaspoon of the salt in a shallow dish for dredging. (Or you can substitute your favorite seasoning instead.)

Step 4

Once the oil is hot, remove catfish fillets from milk, and dredge in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Working in 2 batches, carefully place fillets in hot oil, and fry until golden brown and cooked through, about 4 minutes per side. Sprinkle remaining salt (about 1⁄2 teaspoon per batch) on fish when it comes out of the pan.

Step 5

Transfer cooked catfish to wire rack in baking sheet in preheated oven. Serve catfish with lemon wedges and Black-Eyed Pea Ranchero Sauce.