I love Catfish! We don’t often see it at the market, just a short time each year when in season. When it does become available, this is how I like to prepare it.
First, I soak the Catfish in milk for 30 minutes. Milk tenderizes the fish and gives it a milder flavor. Then, after dredging in a seasoned cornmeal breading, I pop it into the fridge for 15 minutes. Finally, the fish is cooked quickly on a buttered griddle. It is nice and crispy on the outside, moist and flaky on the inside.
Is Breaded Catfish gluten free?
To make this recipe gluten free, the only change needed was to substitute a gluten free flour for regular in the cornmeal breading.
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Ingredients:
- 1 lb. catfish fillets
- 1/2 cup milk (I used 1%)
- 1/4 cup gluten free cornmeal
- 2 tbsp. gluten free rice flour
- Old Bay seasoning
- 2 tbsp. butter, divided
- fresh chives, for garnish
Preparation:
Add 1/2 cup of milk to a 9 x 13″ glass baking dish and season with Old Bay. Soak the catfish in milk for 30 minutes, turning once.
In a large plate, combine the rice flour and cornmeal. Sprinkle with Old Bay.
Dredge the catfish in the cornmeal mixture, pressing gently to coat both sides. Transfer to a clean plate and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes (this helps the breading to adhere).
Melt 1 tbsp. of butter on a nonstick griddle pan, electric griddle or skillet. Cook the catfish 5 minutes per side, adding another tbsp. of butter when you turn the fillets.
Transfer to a serving dish and sprinkle with fresh chives.
What goes well with Catfish? In keeping with the Southern vibe of this meal, I made a side of Gluten Free Corn Cakes. Check out the recipe here!
Notes: ♪♫ Be sure to choose cornmeal with the gluten free label (some are processed alongside wheat products and may not be safe for those with Celiac). I like to use whole grain, medium grind cornmeal. It’s great for breading and for baking.
