Thad and Abbie came over tonight to be a part of Lisa’s first experience with catfish. This recipe comes from Great Bowls of Fire, which we’ve (sadly) been neglecting for a while, but now that we’re into the cooler weather I’m sure that spicy stews and hotpots are going to make a more regular appearance. Abbie and Thad brought over some cornbread to serve with the stew.

Abbie says:

Yuuum! Hey, why didn’t you take a picture of my cornbread?

Thad says:

It was good; I wasn’t paying much attention and then I looked at my bowl and realized I had eaten all my fish.

Chris says:

I haven’t had much catfish since moving from Dallas… I used to love me some fried catfish and hushpuppies… Lisa, what did you think about your first taste of catfish??

Lisa says:

It’s good… catfish tastes…. fishy. I mean, fishier than some other fish. I think I’d have it again.

Catfish Creole Stew
——————-
2 tbsp canola oil
1 medium yellow onion, diced
1 green bell pepper, seeded and diced
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 can (14 oz) stewed tomatoes
1 can (14 oz) crushed tomatoes
2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp bottled red hot sauce
1 1/2 lbs boneless catfish fillets, coarsely chopped
4 cups cooked long-grain white rice

In a large saucepan, heat 1 tbsp of the oil. Add the onion, bell pepper, celery, and garlic and cook, stirring, for 6 minutes over medium-high heat. Add the stewed tomatoes, crushed tomatoes, oregano, basil, thyme, black pepper, cayenne pepper, salt, and hot sauce and bring to a simmer. Cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Meanwhile, in a large nonstick skillet, heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil. Stir in the catfish and cook, stirring, over medium-high heat until the catfish is cooked in the center and opaque, about 7 minutes. Fold the fish into the sauce and return to a simmer.
Spoon the rice into shallow bowls and ladle the stew over the rice. Serve with corn bread.

4 Servings