Cajun Catfish + Homemade Cajun Seasoning

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Acadian to Cajun

The Acadians began as French settlers of a region called Acadia — in eastern Canada and northern Maine — but they eventually traveled down the Mississippi River in the 1750s to escape difficult British rule. Near the end of that long river, the Spanish finally welcomed them in what would become Louisiana.

The Acadians settled down and got cooking, developing some of the tastiest food anywhere. Étoufée, boiled crawfish,  gumbo filé, and fried catfish became trademark dishes for these folk, whose name was soon shortened to just Cajuns.

Cajun food focuses on local ingredients found in the bayous and river delta, and (unsurprisingly) their menus feature fish and seafood quite often. In addition to the traditional French mirepoix (diced onion, carrot and celery), the Cajuns like to add garlic, cayenne pepper, and plenty of black pepper to make zesty, full flavors.

Although their basic seasoning combination is simply cayenne, salt, pepper, and garlic, it can get much more complex with up to 20 different herbs and spices!

I use eleven different seasonings in my blend (below), which creates a nice combination of spice and flavor. We do like it spicy though, so feel free to adjust the cayenne pepper according to your preferences.

Catfish Magic and Maxim

Catfish can be found nearly everywhere, but I think many folks in the South would claim them as their own. Their meat ranks high on the list of comfort foods for many a Southerner who grew up catching them, rolling them in cornmeal, and frying them.

This document from Southern Foodways Alliance gives non-Southerners a little insight to the lore of the catfish. While Hemmingway's fish tale may have hooked a Pulitzer, it is the catfish that people sing about, even in front of the President.

Lore and mystique aside, the catfish is often thought of as a bottom feeder. Actually, they are omnivores happy to eat food (worms, bugs, other fish, algae, and plants) wherever they find it — whether it's on the bottom, at the top, or in between. Catfish actually make up 60% of all aquaculture production in the US.

Most of it available in stores in farmed, but according to the Monterey Bay Seafood Watch, US-farmed catfish is a “Best Choice” because it is sustainably-farmed with a very low risk to the wild population. They are also usually farmed without the use of antibiotics. When buying farmed catfish, make sure it was raised in the US.

Unfortunately, most farmed fish are fed corn, soy, or rice pellets, which are probably contain GMOs. Carolina Classics, a fishery, offers certified antibiotic-free catfish through Whole Foods and Earthfare.

If you have access to wild-caught catfish, or know how to catch and prepare it yourself, that is your best bet for the most flavorful, most healthy fish.

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Homemade Cajun Seasoning

• 2 tablespoons paprika
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon sea salt
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1/2 to 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon thyme
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon marjoram
• 1 teaspoon basil

Combine all herbs and spices. Store in a tightly closed jar and use whenever you need a little kick — with sausage, roast chicken, or our family's favorite Cajun Fried Catfish (see below).

Cajun Fried Catfish

• 4 fillets (or about 1-1/2 pounds fish)
• 2 tablespoons of Cajun seasoning (see recipe, above)
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1/2 cup stone-ground or sprouted cornmeal
• 3 to 4 tablespoons bacon drippings, lard, or butter (we like bacon drippings!)
• lemon wedges for serving

Combine seasoning, salt, and cornmeal in shallow pan. Heat dripping in cast iron skillet over medium high heat. Rinse the fillets and pat dry. Dredge the fillets in the cornmeal mixture, coating both sides evenly. Gently place the fish into the skillet, adjusting heat to medium. Cook fish on the first side about 4 minutes, then gently turn with a large metal spatula and cook on the other side for another 4 minutes, adding more bacon drippings if necessary to prevent sticking. Fish is done when it flakes easily with a fork. Serve with a squeeze of lemon. Accompany with cornbread, greens, baked sweet potatoes, sliced fresh tomatoes, and green onions for a real down home Southern dinner.

Enjoy your down home Southern dinner! Be sure to let me know how spicy you like it!