Fish Friday: Fried Catfish with Hush Puppies

Ingredients:

8 cups peanut oil

6 (6oz) catfish fillets

1/2 tsp salt

9 oz all-purpose flour (about 2 cups), divided

1.25 cups cornmeal

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

2 cups buttermilk

2 large eggs

3.4 oz all-purpose flour (3/4 cup)

1/3 cup cornmeal

1/2 cup buttermilk

3 tbsp grated onion

1 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground red pepper

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Directions:

1. To prepare catfish, clip a candy/fry thermometer to a Dutch oven; add oil to pan. Heat oil to 385 degrees.
2. Sprinkle fillets with 1/2 tsp salt. Place 4.5 oz (1 cup) flour in a shallow dish. Combine 4.5 oz (1 cup) flour, cornmeal, and black pepper in another shallow dish. Combine 2 cups buttermilk and 2 eggs in a shallow dish. Dredge fillets in flour; dip in buttermilk mixture. Dredge in cornmeal mixture; shake off excess. Place 2 fillets in hot oil; cook 5 minutes or until done, turning occasionally. Make sure oil temp does not drop below 375 degrees. Remove fillets from pan using a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Return oil temp to 385 degrees. Repeat procedure twice with remaining fillets.
3. Weigh or lightly spoon 3.4 oz (3/4 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 3.4 oz flour and next 7 ingredients. Drop batter 1 tbsp at a time into pan; fry at 375 degrees for 5 minutes or until browned, turning frequently. Remove using a slotted spoon; drain on paper towels. Yield: 6 servings (Serving size: 1 fillet and 2 hush puppies).

Nutrition Facts:

Calories 456; Fat 18.3g (sat 3.6g, mono 5.4g, poly 7.9g); Protein 29.4g; Carb 42.9g; Fiber 2.6g; Chol 150mg; Iron 3.6mg; Sodium 724mg; Calc 170mg.