"The Southern Fried Catfish BLT is a delightful fusion of crispy, golden-battered catfish, layered with smoky bacon, fresh lettuce, and ripe tomato, all brought together with a unique leek aioli on a toasted bun, creating a comforting yet sophisticated twist on the classic BLT sandwich."
Southern Fried Catfish BLT
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- Recipe Card
Prep time: 20mins
Cook time: 1hr 10mins
Serves or Makes: 4
Recipe Card
ingredients
For the Southern Fried Catfish
- 4 fillets of catfish
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup flour
- 1 cup cornmeal
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 1 tablespoon garlic powder
- 2 beaten eggs
- 2 tablespoons water
- to taste salt and ground black pepper
ingredients
For the Leek Aioli
- 1 large thinly sliced leek
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 clove minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- to taste salt and ground black pepper
ingredients
For the Sandwich
- 8 slices of thick-cut bacon
- 4 large leaves lettuce
- 2 sliced tomatoes
- 4 toasted buns
Method
Step 1
Prepare the Leek Aioli: In a skillet, heat the extra virgin olive oil over low heat. Add chopped leeks and a pinch of salt. Cook slowly until leeks are very soft and caramelized, about 30 minutes. Set aside and let cool. Mix cooled leek confit with mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until needed. The confit can be made well ahead of time.
Step 2
Prepare the Catfish: Season catfish fillets with salt and pepper. Soak in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour. In a shallow dish, combine cornmeal, flour, paprika, garlic powder, and salt and ground black pepper to taste. In another dish, beat eggs with water. Remove each fillet from the buttermilk, dredge in the egg wash, and then dip in the cornmeal mixture. Ensure the entire fillet is covered and shake off any excess.
Step 3
Fry the Catfish: Heat oil in a deep fryer or skillet to approximately 365°F (medium-high heat). Fry the catfish fillets for 3-5 minutes per side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Step 4
Cook the Bacon: In a skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until crispy, about 5 to 7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Step 5
Assemble the Sandwich: Spread leek aioli on each toasted bun. Layer lettuce, tomato slices, a fried catfish fillet, and two slices of bacon. Top with the other half of the bun. Serve immediately, and enjoy!