Best No Smoke Almost Blackened Catfish Recipes

CAJUN BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a shallow bowl, mix together the black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, parsley, cayenne pepper, kosher salt, oregano, and thyme until thoroughly combined. Press the catfish fillets into the spice mixture to thoroughly coat.
• Arrange a portable heat source outdoors, such as a butane burner or side burner of a gas grill. Melt butter in a glass or metal bowl. Light the burner, and place a large cast-iron skillet onto the burner over high heat. Pour about 1/4 cup of melted butter into the skillet; set remaining 1/2 cup of butter aside.
• When the butter in the skillet is smoking hot, lay the catfish fillets into the skillet. Cook until the spices are burned onto the fillets and the catfish is opaque and flaky inside, about 3 minutes per side. Don't breathe smoke from burning spices. To serve, pour remaining 1/2 cup of butter over the catfish.

BLACKENED CATFISH WITH MAQUE CHOUX

Steps:

• Make the maque choux first. Heat the butter in a saute pan over medium-high heat, then add the onion. Saute the onion for 1 minute, then add the green pepper. Sprinkle salt over everything and saute for about 4-5 minutes, stirring often. Add the corn kernels and cook for another 10 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover while you make the fish.
• Get a cast-iron frying pan hot over your hottest burner. Turn the stove fan on high, and open the windows nearby, as this creates smoke. Let the frying pan get hot for a good 3-4 minutes. While the pan is heating up, melt the butter and pour the Cajun spices into a shallow dish.
• Dip the fish fillets in the melted butter, then dredge in the Cajun spices. Shake off any excess. Do this for as many fillets as will fit in the frying pan; I find that 4 normal fillets is as much as it will hold. Lay the fish down on the hot pan. It will sizzle up fiercely and smoke. This is normal. Let the fish cook this way for 2-3 minutes. Using a wide metal spatula, carefully flip the catfish fillets and cook on the other side for another 2-3 minutes.
• When you flip the catfish, add the tomatoes and the Tabasco to the maque choux.
• Serve with white rice, the maque choux and a good beer. And revel in the fact that some idiot paid $130 for this back in 1983...

BLACKENED CATFISH WITH FRIED OKRA

Steps:

• For the catfish: Line a sheet pan with a rack and set aside. Stir together 1 tablespoon of the paprika and the salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the catfish filets and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, stir together the remaining 3 tablespoons paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, cayenne, cumin, oregano, and thyme in a small bowl. Set 4 teaspoons of the spice mix aside; the rest will keep, in an airtight container, for up to 1 year.
• When the catfish is ready, season each filet on one side with 2 teaspoons of the spice mix. Lightly oil a large cast-iron skillet and heat over medium-high heat until almost smoking. Place the filets in the skillet seasoned-side down and cook until lightly blackened, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip the filets, add the butter and cook 1 to 2 minutes more, occasionally basting with the melted butter. Transfer the filets to the prepared sheet pan and set aside.
• For the fried okra: Whisk the eggs in a large shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Add the okra and toss to combine. Place the cornmeal and cayenne in another large shallow dish, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine. Transfer the okra to the dish of seasoned cornmeal, letting any excess egg drip off, and toss until completely coated. Transfer the okra into a fine-mesh colander or hand strainer and gently shake to remove any excess cornmeal.
• Add 1 to 2 inches of oil to a large nonstick skillet and heat to 350 degrees F. Working in batches, fry the okra, gently turning with tongs, until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to the sheet pan with the catfish. Repeat with the remaining okra.
• Plate the blackened catfish and fried okra next to each other and garnish with the lemon wedges.

BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat a cast iron skillet to medium high with peanut oil.
• Mix dry ingredients together. Cover both sides of catfish with the seasoning mix and place in skillet.
• Cook on one side for 4 minutes and turn when cooked halfway through. Cook for another 4 minutes on the other side. Remove from pan and serve with Cajun remoulade.
• Mix all ingredients together well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• The fillets should be at room temperature. Heat a large cast-iron skillet over very high heat until it is beyond the smoking stage and you see white ash in the skillet bottom, at least for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, pour 2 tablespoons melted butter in each of 6 small ramekins; set aside and keep warm. Reserve the remaining butter. Heat the serving plates in a 250-degree oven. Dip each fillet in the reserved melted butter so that both sides are well coated. Then, mix thoroughly all the spices for blackening mixture and sprinkle the Blackening Spice Mixture generously and evenly on both sides of the fillets. Place 1 or 2 fillets in skillet and cook uncovered over very high heat until the underside becomes deep brown, almost black (but not burned), about 2 minutes (the time may vary according to the fillet's thickness and the heat of the skillet). Turn the fish over and pour 1 teaspoon of butter on top of each. Cook until fish is done, about 2 minutes more. Repeat with remaining fillets. Serve each fillet while hot. To serve, place 1 fillet and a ramekin of butter on each plate.

NO SMOKE ALMOST BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• heavily season both sides of catfish with seasoning, I use paul prudome's blackened redfish magic.
• heat a heavy castiron skillet on a medium heat and add butter.
• once butter is melted and bubbly add 2 fillets at a time and cook 2-3 minutes per side just to seal and start a crust to form.
• place fillets on a foil lined cookie sheet drizzled with a smidge of olive oil to prevent bottom of fish from sticking. I lay mine "skin" side down.
• once all fillets are on the cookie sheet drizzle the now seasoned butter from the pan over the fish.
• spinkle the lemon juice all over the fish and bake in a 350 oven for 25-30 minutes checking every 10 minutes in the thickest part for doneness.
• serve immedately.

BARLOW'S BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease a medium baking dish.
• In a shallow, medium bowl, mix cayenne pepper, lemon pepper, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
• Brush both sides of catfish fillets with butter. Rub fillets with the cayenne pepper mixture on both sides.
• Heat a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat until really hot. Add fillets, and fry approximately 2 minutes on each side, until slightly blackened.
• Arrange blackened fillets in a single layer in the prepared baking dish, and coat with Italian-style salad dressing. Bake 30 to 35 minutes in the preheated oven, until fish is easily flaked with a fork.

BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• Heat a large cast iron skillet (recommended) or heavy aluminum skillet over high heat for 10 minutes.
• In a small bowl stir together first 8 ingredients.
• Dip catfish into melted butter and coat both sides of fish with spice mixture, using about 1 T spice mixture for each fillet.
• Place fish on waxed paper.
• Place 3 fillets at a time in hot skillet.
• Drizzle each fillet with 1 T melted butter.
• Cook over high heat about 2 minutes per side or until fish flakes easily.
• Serve immediately.