Pats Smoked Catfish Recipes

TORTA OF SMOKED CATFISH

Steps:

• Chop the smoked catfish fillets and set aside.
• In an electric mixer, place the cream cheese, lemon juice, and hot sauce. Mix until the cream cheese is fluffy and soft.
• On a footed cake plate, make a round of the cream cheese mixture at least 1 to 2 inches inside the edge of the plate. Smooth and flatten the first layer of the torta. Sprinkle 1/2 of the chopped catfish over the cream cheese. Add a sprinkle of green onions, approximately 1/2, on top of the chopped fish. Put the second layer of cream cheese on top, smoothing carefully. Cover with the rest of the green onions and catfish. Scatter the drained capers evenly over the Torta. Cover carefully and refrigerate until needed. Try to assemble a few hours before using so that the flavors have a chance to blend.
• Just before serving, sprinkle the minced egg over the top and garnish the torta with lemon slices and mint leaves.

NEELY'S MEMPHIS-STYLE CATFISH

Steps:

• Preheat a deep-fryer to 375 degrees F.
• Mix the cornmeal, paprika and cayenne in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, add the buttermilk and the hot sauce.
• Season the catfish with salt and pepper. Dredge in the buttermilk and then the cornmeal and spice mixture.
• Drop carefully in the hot oil. Fry for 4 minutes until crisp. Remove to a paper towel lined sheet tray. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mix all the ingredients in a small bowl. Serve with the catfish.

SMOKED CATFISH PATE

Steps:

• Brine and smoke catfish according to recipe. While still warm, break fillets into pieces, removing any bones. Add cream cheese and mix well. Add ½ cup of the sour cream and mix well. Add the shallots, capers, caper juice, garlic and Tabasco. Taste for seasoning, add more sour cream and/or cream cheese at this point if the pate is a little dry or tastes a little salty. Adjust Tabasco and add freshly ground pepper to taste.
• Note: Do not add any salt to this dish because the brine and the smoke "salts" the fish before it is mixed into the pate.
• Let chill for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight. Taste once more before serving and adjust seasonings if necessary. Serve on the cold side of room temperature on homemade melba toast (slice a loaf of French bread in small rounds, lay out on a cookie sheet and bake in a 250ºF oven until golden and the bread is dried out) or your favorite crackers. Top with a dollop of sour cream and a bit of caviar if desired.
• Serves 4-10 as an appetizer.