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Tennessee Fried Catfish from Hagy's Catfish Hotel

Posted at 11:51 AM, Aug 17, 2020
and last updated 2020-08-17 12:52:01-04

Jim Hagy of Chef's Market shared a catfish recipe from his family's restaurant in Shiloh TN - Hagy's Catfish Hotel. (see recipe below)The Catfish Hotel is located at 1140 Hagy Lane
Shiloh, Tennessee. For more information, call (731) 689-3327 or visit www.catfishhotel.com

Tennessee Fried Catfish (serves 4)

2 quarts peanut oil

3 cups fine corn meal

1 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 cup salt

1 tsp white pepper

2 quarts ice cold water

8 catfish fillets, 7-8 ounces each

· Heat the peanut oil in a 5-quart Dutch oven over high heat until it reaches 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.

· Cut excess fat from the catfish fillet; place in ice cold water.

· Whisk the cornmeal, flour and salt together in a shallow dish. Lift the catfish from the water allow the excess water to drip off. Lightly dredge the catfish in the breading mixture.

· Gently add the fillets, two at a time, to the hot oil and fry until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the fried fillets to a cooling rack set over a paper towel lined pan.

· Repeat method with remaining fillets. Arrange the catfish on a serving platter and serve immediately.

Tip: Not all catfish are the same. If possible, know the source. Look for catfish that have a very firm flesh and little fat and, of course, no fishy smell. The best catfish come from well-circulated ponds and rivers. If buying farm raised catfish, look for never frozen, U.S. pond (preferably from Mississippi) raised only.