Here’s a Southern-inspired, hearty meal: Fried Catfish with Sausage & Jalapeño Cheddar Grits 🍤🌶️🧀
Fried Catfish
Ingredients
- 4 catfish fillets
- 1 cup cornmeal
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 cup buttermilk
- Vegetable oil, for frying
Instructions
- Prep fish
- Rinse catfish and pat dry.
- Soak in buttermilk for 15–20 minutes.
- Coat fish
- Mix cornmeal, flour, salt, pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- Dredge fillets in the mixture until well coated.
- Fry
- Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.
- Fry fillets 3–5 minutes per side until golden and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels.
Sausage & Jalapeño Cheddar Grits
Ingredients
- 1 cup stone-ground grits
- 4 cups water (or half water, half milk for creamier grits)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 2–3 cooked sausages, sliced
- 1–2 jalapeños, finely diced (seeds removed for less heat)
- 2 tablespoons butter
Instructions
- Cook grits
- Bring water and salt to a boil.
- Slowly whisk in grits. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, until thickened (about 20–25 minutes).
- Add flavor
- Stir in butter, cheddar cheese, sliced sausage, and diced jalapeños.
- Cook 2–3 more minutes until cheese melts and sausage is heated through.
Serve
- Plate fried catfish over a bed of sausage & jalapeño cheddar grits.
- Optional: drizzle with hot sauce or a squeeze of lemon.
Tips
- Use medium to large catfish fillets for easier frying.
- For extra flavor, season grits with smoked paprika or garlic powder.
- Make grits ahead and reheat gently, stirring in a little milk.
I can also give you a baked catfish version or a spicier jalapeño cheddar grits recipe if you want.
