How to Cook Catfish
Knowing how to cook catfish is a necessity for fishermen. There is nothing like enjoying a nice meal of the day’s catches after a long day of sitting on the lake. For those that are still learning how to cook catfish, these tips are a great way to get started. For those that already know, you can learn something new about how to create the perfect platter of catfish fillets.
Deep Frying
Deep-fried catfish offer a wonderful taste that pan-frying can’t seem to compare to. To deep-fry catfish, simply heat up the deep fryer, bread the catfish, and then toss it in the basket. This technique works exceptionally well with catfish nuggets, too. When the breading is a golden color with the perfect amount of crispiness, they are done.
Pan Frying
Pan-frying provides the same frying effect that people get from deep-frying, but it does require a little more work. To pan-fry catfish heat up a few tablespoons of melted butter at the bottom of the skillet. Then, gently place the already breaded catfish fillets into the pan. Let each side cook for approximately three minutes each. They will be golden brown and taste absolutely delicious. Frying them in butter provides a mouth-watering taste that one simply won’t get when deep-frying catfish.
Baking
Individuals that are more health-conscious often prefer baked catfish because it is known to have fewer calories and less fat. Baking is one of the healthiest ways to prepare catfish. To do this, prepare the catfish using the same breading technique that you would for frying catfish. Then, line a baking dish with foil, spray it with non-stick cooking spray and pop them in the oven. This method of cooking catfish often takes longer (it can take between 30-45 minutes for the fillets to be done) but they are softer, easier to eat and healthier.
Grilling
Grilling the cooking method of choice during the summer months. If someone is having a cookout in a southern state, there is a good chance that some catfish fillets can be thrown on the grill when the hamburgers are done. When grilling catfish, most people prefer to use a marinade, lemon juice or the breading technique mentioned above.
After preparing the fish, put some foil on the grill, spray it with non-stick cooking spray and then put the fillets on the grill. Then, all you have to do is watch them cook. Flip them over after a few minutes to ensure that they do not get burnt.
Catfish fillets and catfish nuggets remain a popular choice of fish, especially in southern states in the United States and throughout South America where these fish are found in large quantities. Most people prefer a breading mixture of flour and cornmeal, but there are also plenty of recipes to guarantee that you have a plate of fish fillets that will make everyone’s mouth water with anticipation as soon as they smell them.
