Jane Fondas Blackened Catfish Recipes

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

Steps:

• Lay out catfish fillets in a single layer on a work surface and sprinkle with all-purpose seasoning on both sides; press seasoning into fish.
• Heavily coat the top side of the fish with blackening seasoning. Allow seasoning to sit until it begins to soak into the fish, about 10 minutes. Flip the fish over and repeat.
• Heat a large cast-iron or heavy-bottomed skillet over medium-high heat until you see a little smoke coming from it, 1-2 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons grapeseed oil and heat until shimmering but not smoking, about 1 minute; then add 2 tablespoons butter. Be sure the exhaust fan is turned on.
• Once butter is melted and bubbling, slowly lay in half the catfish fillets, angling them away from you to prevent spattering and being sure not to overcrowd the pan. Give the fish a little press with a metal spatula to be sure pieces are flat and in full contact with the pan. Cook fillets until browned and well crusted on underside and they release easily from pan (slide the spatula under them to check), 4-5 minutes. Then flip to cook second side to cook, an additional 4-5 minutes.
• Transfer fillets to a sheet pan lined with paper towels. Scrape out any burned-on spices from pan. Repeat to cook remaining fish, adding more oil and butter as needed.
• Serve hot with parsley scattered on top. Squeeze lemon wedges over fish if you like.

JANE FONDA'S BLACKENED CATFISH

Steps:

• In a large shallow dish, combine the paprika, cayenne, garlic powder, thyme, salt and lemon zest.
• Add the catfish fillets and turn to coat both sides, pressing the herb-and-spice rub into the fish.
• In a large non stick frying pan over medium-high heat, heat the oil.
• Add the fish and cook for 4 minutes.
• Pour the lemon juice over the fillets, turn and cook until the fish just separates when pressed with a fork, about 4 minutes.

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.