Cornmeal-battered Oven-fried Catfish and Ice Fishing with My FIL

 

Fishing around for a new catfish recipe?

 

 

Here’s one for you with savory flavors
that can be
put on the table quickly. 

 

 

Not much fishing here now, but years past, my father-in-law was an avid fisherman, any time, winter or summer... 

Herb, my father-in-law

 

Way back in Louisville when I met Bill,  I thought he was feeding me a line about his father drilling a hole in the ice for fishing.

I soon learned differently when I saw my father-in-law pulling his home-made insulated sled.   He constructed a seat with a padded cushion to sit on and packed the sled with a lantern for warmth, along with an auger for drilling through the ice, an ice pick plus the usual fishing equipment ~ poles and a tackle box filled with lures, rest of the year it was worms.  This was close to heaven for him.  

 

 

Frank and Ernest by Thaves

When we married and moved here close to Bill's family, my FIL would come over and fish in the lake 2 blocks from our house, taking Bubba with him in later years.  I miss those days of a plethora of fresh blue gills!  

 

"Dad" loved the outdoors:  hunting, fishing and gardening, and was good at all of it.  He was an avid reader also and a hard-working man who stood up for what he believed. 

Later years, he spent many a day in his heated garage with a wood burning stove, burning newspapers and whatever.  He was a jack-of-all-trades and tinkered around with a myriad of things.  

One of his best was turning an old refrigerator into a smoker.  A friend of his fished for Chinook and Coho salmon in Lake Michigan.  He gave fish to my FIL to smoke; for his effort, his friend in return let him keep some fish.  It was the best ever smoked salmon!

And he knew how to play a good game of pinochle, or about any card game. 

But then he would blast the Chicago Bears, even though he watched them all the time,  and even worse to me, the Cubs... 

 

I haven't done much fishing, but I did reel in this recipe for catfish that may not be fried, but it just might be the quickest, easiest way to enjoy it.

Catfish is firmer and less flaky than other whitefish. The taste of fresh catfish is a bit strong for some of us, but farm-raised varieties typically have a sweeter, milder taste. 

Whether your choice is fresh or farm-raised, baking catfish is one delicious way to cook the fish, without the mess of frying.

 

The fish is slightly spicy, with a savory cornmeal coating of chili powder, garlic powder, paprika and Italian dressing ~ crispy on the outside, yet tender and flaky on the inside ~ a healthier way to enjoy the fish.

 

If you like catfish, this recipe is a great addition to your weeknight dinner routine!  

Only thing missing is hushpuppies...

 

 

Cornmeal-battered Oven-fried Catfish

Fishing around for a new catfish recipe? This catfish may not be fried, but it just might be the quickest, healthiest, easiest way to enjoy it!

Ingredients

• Cooking spray
• 2 catfish fillets
• 1/4 cup yellow cornmeal
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1/4 cup Kraft Robusto Italian Dressing

Method

1. Preheat oven to 425°.
2. Spray baking pan with cooking spray.
3. Mix cornmeal, chili powder, paprika, garlic powder, and salt and pepper in a shallow bowl.
4. Lightly brush dressing on both sides of fillets.
5. Coat with cornmeal mixture.
6. Place fish on pan and bake for 10 minutes, then carefully flip catfish and continue baking for 8-10 minutes longer, or until fish is cooked through and golden.

https://pamsmidwestkitchenkorner.blogspot.com/2021/01/cornmeal-battered-oven-fried-catfish.html

Created using The Recipes Generator

 

 

 Happy eating!