Ingredients for Amazon Catfish
- Peanut Oil
- 1 medium onion, chopped (for curry sauce)
- 1 cup diced jicama
- Diced Tomato
- 2 cloves garlic, minced (for curry sauce)
- Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
- 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for curry sauce)
- 1 cup water (for curry sauce)
- Unsweetened Pineapple Juice
- 2 tablespoons curry powder
- 1/4 cup raisins
- Sweetened Coconut
- Banana
- 1/4 cup slivered almonds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt (plus additional for curry sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Catfish Fillets
- Unseasoned Breadcrumbs
- 1/2 cup cornmeal
- Roasted Peanuts
How to Make Amazon Catfish
- **Make the Curry Sauce:**
- Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
- Add 1 medium onion, chopped, and cook until golden brown (about 5 minutes).
- Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more.
- Whisk in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour until a paste forms.
- Gradually whisk in 1 cup water and 1/2 cup pineapple juice until smooth.
- Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat to low. Stir in 2 tablespoons curry powder, 1/4 cup raisins, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, 1 ripe banana, mashed, 1/4 cup slivered almonds, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
- Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened by 1/4.
- Blend the sauce until smooth using an immersion blender or regular blender. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, reserving the liquid and discarding the solids.
- Keep warm.
- **Prepare the Fish:**
- In a shallow dish, whisk together 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- In a separate shallow dish, place 1 cup all-purpose flour.
- In a third shallow dish, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup cornmeal.
- Dredge each catfish fillet (about 4, 6-ounce fillets) in flour, then dip in the egg mixture, and finally coat with the breadcrumb/cornmeal mixture.
- Set aside.
- **Fry the Fish:**
- Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a large skillet.
- Fry the catfish in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- **Make the Spicy Roasted Peanuts:**
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- In a bowl, toss 1 can (14 ounces) honey-roasted peanuts with 2 tablespoons habanero hot sauce (or to taste).
- Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until dry. Let cool completely before storing.
- **Assemble and Serve:**
- Top the fried catfish with the warm curry sauce and garnish with the spicy roasted peanuts.
Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor
Want to unlock deeper, more complex flavors? Try toasting your whole spices before grinding them, or blooming ground spices in a little warm oil to enhance their aroma. Deglazing your pan with a bit of stock, wine, or even water after browning ingredients can capture those tasty caramelized bits, adding richness to your dish.
Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)
Sodium
57 g
Sugar
214g
Fat
53g
Carbs
41g