Fish of the Prairie

We don't have crab or mussels or clams or salmon in the rivers and streams and lakes on the prairie but we do have catfish. Sometimes BIG catfish! And catfish is Husband Jim's favorite fish for he was raised on catfish. Catfish that they caught in the summer at their cabin on the lake. I, on the other hand, was raised on packaged meat from the market. Which is why, I think, that I've never been overly fond of catfish. (although I adore crab and mussels and claims and salmon and shrimp).

But it is Christmas and sometimes Christmas wishes can be filled before December 25 and so I made a big plate of fried catfish for Husband Jim. He was in fish heaven! Served, of course, with a ramekin of homemade tartar sauce.
It needs deep oil for frying and unlike some, I don't use cornmeal preferring instead the flour, egg and Panko method. The Panko get nice and crispy -- crispier I think than either cornmeal or batter. Served as the lone dish for dinner. With a heaping plate of catfish, you need nothing else.