Amazon Catfish Recipe

Dive into a culinary adventure with this exotic Amazon Catfish recipe, inspired by the Turtle Bay Cookbook! Crispy fried catfish is generously topped with a vibrant, homemade curry sauce and spicy roasted peanuts. This recipe is perfect for adventurous home cooks looking for a unique and flavorful fish dish.

Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 60 mins
Calories 1086.1 kcal
Protein 88g
Rating 4.0 (1 Reviews)
Amazon Catfish

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Recipe Author

Chef Forktionary, author of this recipe

Passionate home cook & Forktionary contributor.

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

  1. **Make the Curry Sauce:**
  2. Heat 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil in a saucepan over medium heat.
  3. Add 1 medium onion, chopped, and cook until golden brown (about 5 minutes).
  4. Add 2 cloves garlic, minced, and 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes; cook for 1 minute more.
  5. Whisk in 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour until a paste forms.
  6. Gradually whisk in 1 cup water and 1/2 cup pineapple juice until smooth.
  7. 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.
  8. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened by 1/4.
  9. 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.
  10. Keep warm.
  11. **Prepare the Fish:**
  12. In a shallow dish, whisk together 2 large eggs, 2 tablespoons water, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
  13. In a separate shallow dish, place 1 cup all-purpose flour.
  14. In a third shallow dish, combine 1 cup breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup cornmeal.
  15. 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.
  16. Set aside.
  17. **Fry the Fish:**
  18. Heat 1/2 inch of vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C) in a large skillet.
  19. Fry the catfish in batches, cooking for 3-4 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through.
  20. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  21. **Make the Spicy Roasted Peanuts:**
  22. Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
  23. In a bowl, toss 1 can (14 ounces) honey-roasted peanuts with 2 tablespoons habanero hot sauce (or to taste).
  24. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until dry. Let cool completely before storing.
  25. **Assemble and Serve:**
  26. Top the fried catfish with the warm curry sauce and garnish with the spicy roasted peanuts.

Chef's Tip for Extra Flavor

Elevate your dish with simple flavor boosters! A final flourish of freshly chopped herbs can add incredible brightness, while a squeeze of lemon or lime juice right before serving can awaken all the flavors. Don't underestimate a sprinkle of quality finishing salt or a drizzle of good olive oil to make your creation shine.

Nutrition Information (Approximate per serving)

Sodium

57 g

Sugar

214g

Fat

53g

Carbs

41g