Spicy Pan-fried Catfish

Posted on | February 14, 2009 | 36 Comments |

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post. I’ve been doing so well this year, keeping up with my resolution of being a more active blogger and all. Like all new year resolutions, that one had a shelf life of exactly one month. On the same note, I couldn’t reply to many emails and comments in the past two weeks either, my apologies! I am so glad I started my diet long before New Year’s, I am still sticking with it. I did slightly slip last week, on my mini-break in the neighboring city of Portland, OR. But diets are supposed to be broken while on vacation, right?

It was an awesome trip, a getaway with two friends I’ve known for 17 years. We took the Amtrak, the first train ride in the US for all three of us. While I say it was an interesting experience, it is not for me. I am the type of person who’s most comfortable in the driver’s seat on a road trip. Trains are slow, and you are stuck in it for the entire duration of the trip. I might be the odd one out here, as all I’ve heard from everyone so far is how much enjoyable the train rides are! It can be relaxing, but I’d much rather get to my destination as soon as possible and relax there. But anyway, the trip was fun! We ate some great food, drank some super cocktails and did a bit of shopping. A perfect girls’ weekend!

After the trip, I am back on my regular diet. It is much more relaxed now, I eat pretty much everything I want, except for potatoes, white rice and white flour whenever I can avoid those. What I have here today is a typical dinner, the best kind! Siv added some twist to our regular fish fry marinade, like adding almonds instead of flour to keep it more south beach friendly, which added an interesting crunchy texture. He also added some spices that we typically don’t add to fish – like cardamom, star anise, cinnamon and clove – which are typically added to meat dishes. I really loved the way the fish fry smelled with the addition of these spices.

Ingredients

4 Catfish filets
2 tbsp Whole Almonds
2 tbsp lime juice
salt to taste
2 tbsp oil for pan frying

Dry roast

4 Green cardamom
1″ piece of cinnamon stick
4 cloves
1 star anise
1 tbsp fennel seeds
12 dried red chilies

For garnish

1/4 cup thinly sliced shallots
a few curry leaves
2 tbsp silvered almonds
lemon slices

Method

Heat a pan and dry roast all ingredients under the Dry Roast section on medium low heat till aromatic. Place the almonds and the dry roasted ingredients in a spice grinder or coffee grinder and process till all the ingredients are powdered. Not too fine, we need a little bit of crunchy texture.

Add the lime juice and salt to the spice powder to make a paste. Apply the paste liberally on the fish filets and marinate in the fridge for 15-30 minutes.

Place a non-stick pan big enough to hold the fish filets on the stove and heat the oil. When the oil is hot, place the fish filets flat and cook on medium heat for about 6 minutes on each side, more or less depending on how thick the filets are. Make sure not to burn the fish, it should turn a golden brown color.

Remove the fish filets when done, and keep warm. To the same pan (there will be bits and pieces of the fried spice paste) add a bit more oil if needed. Then add the shallots, curry leaves and silvered almonds and saute till soft. Spread this over the fried fish while serving, along with lemon wedges to squeeze over.

You might also like this Almond Crusted Catfish Fry recipe.

Category: Dinner Recipes, Seafood, South Beach Diet Friendly

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Comments

36 Responses to “Spicy Pan-fried Catfish”

elra
February 14th, 2009 @ 11:33 am
Reply

Definitely will make this, just for me and my sister. Unfortunately my husband and my son don’t like this type of fish.
Cheers,
Elra
Mamatha
February 14th, 2009 @ 11:59 am
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Yay, you’re back! That spice mixture for a fish dish is definitely new to me but I can imagine its heady aroma.

I love train rides! One of the best memories I have of train rides as a kid is the constant chomping of snacks through-out the ride while having fun with cousins. I’ve only traveled from east coast to midwest by Amtrak. I imagine the ride along the Pacific Northwest is much more scenic and interesting than corn-fields.
- Mamatha
  February 14th, 2009 @ 12:00 pm
  Reply
  
  Oh and Happy Valentine’s Day <3
Mishmash!
February 14th, 2009 @ 4:03 pm
Reply

I did think of u for last two days….as to why there is no update here…did think of mailing but did push off the idea coz of my laziness

Nice twist on fish fry..!
Nags
February 14th, 2009 @ 5:13 pm
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oooh, adding almonds must definitely give it a good crunch and twist!

i miss my friends in hyderabad still.. nobody here yet to shop with and do crazy girls night out with
Soma
February 14th, 2009 @ 5:23 pm
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I would love to take a train ride!! I hate driving…

I regularly get cat fish & tilapia… & do a quick pan saute.. kids love it. Lovely use of almond & i like the dry spice which u added.
Cham
February 14th, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
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The spice & almond coating make me hungry
varsha
February 14th, 2009 @ 11:55 pm
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Sig,loved the combination of spices..:)..hope u had a blast on V-day!!:)
Shantanu
February 15th, 2009 @ 4:42 am
Reply

Sounds very interesting! Catfish was a lifesaver when I first lived in the US; that was the nearest in taste to the native Bong fishes I was used to in India.
poonam
February 15th, 2009 @ 8:01 am
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I have been a regular visitor to ur site but this is the first time i am jotting down some lines for u.
FIsh fry looks amazing and different..will surely give this a try. But would like to know about the broccoli too..is it a stir fry…I would be oblidged if u could give me the recipe for the same…Thanks
- sig
  February 19th, 2009 @ 11:30 pm
  Reply
  
  Hi Poonam, it is a stir-fry. I just blanched the broccoli for about 2-3 minutes in boiling water, immediately cooling it in an ice water bath to finish cooking. After than I sauteed some shallots and garlic, and seasoned with crushed red chilies and salt and added the blanced broccoli and stir fried for a couple more minutes.
sra
February 15th, 2009 @ 10:24 am
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sounds good, sig. hope the weight continues to loss
Asha
February 15th, 2009 @ 1:19 pm
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That’s where you were!

We have never traveled in train here in US either. I would love to make a trip but kids are so used to the comfort of car etc., it would be hard for us. May be one day! Glad you enjoyed it, sounds fun!

Tushar is the only one who likes Cat fish here, it’s very southern dish. Looks great, i brought jumbo Shrimps, got to make something.
Sukanya
February 15th, 2009 @ 7:46 pm
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This is a different recipe. Looks so good. Sounds healthy too. Loved the twist of garam masala flavor in the fish. YUM!

Belated Valentine’s Day wishes!!!
Shreya
February 15th, 2009 @ 9:22 pm
Reply

hi Sig, very interesting to add almonds. never heard of that before. the pic is so eye-catching, and the fish looks yummy! so glad to know you enjoyed the trip with your friends..:-)
neha
February 15th, 2009 @ 9:34 pm
Reply

Being a veggie, i can’t make it or eat it.. But the picture is so tempting can’t resisit to write a comment..
Its looking delicious..
Miri
February 15th, 2009 @ 10:48 pm
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I guess Indian train rides are a completely different experience, but knowing only those kinds I must say I enjoy train rides the most! We took a Shatabdi to Orchha – a sleepy little town by a river with temples and forts scattered like jewels – this Republic Day weekend. Four couples and 5 kids – and believe me it was a really really nice journey, better than what the road trip would have been not to mention the kids were not in our hair!

The almonds sound like a really nice addition to the marinade and your diet seems to be going good!
Happy Cook
February 16th, 2009 @ 12:32 am
Reply

Looks so yumm, bookmarking them to make.
I love train rides, but then in comfortable compartments
My sis lived in Portland for a year.
Nitha
February 16th, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Reply

Hi
I peek into your blog regularly as I am also on SBD. You make SBD look so easy:).Adding almonds to cat-fish is a nice idea.I have some catfish fillet in my freezer.
I already succumbed once in my 2nd phase by making caramel custard in Mishmash blog.
Your experience on Amtrak somehow reminded me of Carrie and Samantha’s train trip to SFO on one of the Sex and the city episodes.:)Please do not get offended by the comparison. No offense meant at all.
Nitha
- sig
  February 19th, 2009 @ 11:28 pm
  Reply
  
  LOL, none taken…
Divz
February 17th, 2009 @ 3:25 am
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hi sig..
first time on ur blog…lovely work..
fish is looking yummy..
Srivalli
February 17th, 2009 @ 8:24 am
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train trips are enjoyable when one is in their high school..not when traveling with 3 kids.. ..or yea as you were with friends.. ..great to know abt your diet..update your latest pic ok…btw that fish fry is very lovely..will have to try it sometime for hubby!
Ashima
February 17th, 2009 @ 11:34 am
Reply

lovely pic …. feel like grabbing it from the pic

I just love train trips …… used to have at least 2-3 in a year when I was a kid ot even till I was in India …… but now since the time I have come to the US it is just plane rides and I hate them ….

btw, I see you make a lot of fish dishes and I had a question ….. I am not a fish fan because of the smell …. we brought Tilapia once and it did not smell at all …. but the next time it did smell a lot ….. was it because it was not fresh and had been lying in my freezer for long?

which other fishes would you recommend that do not smell?
- sig
  February 19th, 2009 @ 11:27 pm
  Reply
  
  Hi Ashima, yes, you are right, fresh fish never smells, as soon as it goes bad a bit, it starts smelling. If you can find an Asian store near by, you will be able to get fresh Tilapia out of the tank.
Gowri
February 17th, 2009 @ 1:28 pm
Reply

Sig,
Nice you could get away for a weekend with your girlfriends. Sometimes you definitely need that break and just talk and shop. Good thearapy!

The plate looks so good. I should try making this for my husband. I think I have told you before – you are my non-veg recipe inspiration.

And of course diets are meant to be broken… my policy is when I go out, I eat normal and enjoy what I eat. I hate to make a fuss at other people’s parties or in a restuarant. Of course I try to pick a helthy combo, but if only rice items available( as is the case in most Indian homes), I eat moderately. But when I’m back home, I make sure I eat healthy and cut out the white rice and carbs.
Be good and enjoy!
Rajitha
February 17th, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Reply

Can i just say again that i am jealous that you live in the same city as ur best buds….it sure is nice. I have been thinking about a train trip here….but i may think on it..coa i am like whta you said…i am anxious to reach the final destination to chill out and relax…i tend to get bored very soon….the pics are great and you guys looked and am sure had tons of fun…
Nirmala
February 17th, 2009 @ 11:34 pm
Reply

I love trains. I love lonely trips sitting near the window side along with the moon travelling with me on the sky. And I love catfish. When fried Amma makes it too gresy but I love it. This spice mix on fish is new to me! What an innovative hubby Siv is? The platter looks adorable!
Rico
February 18th, 2009 @ 3:44 am
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If you live to eat join me as we share something in common and I love to tell you that the dish above looks amazing and very tasty, I haven’t yet experimented with catfish as far as I know but I do have a few fish dishes in my blog. well done thx for sharing
sandeepa
February 18th, 2009 @ 5:35 am
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Next fishy on my list
Cynthia
February 18th, 2009 @ 10:55 am
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Is this farm-raised? The last time I was in the US I was craving some cat fish, bought some farm raised as that was all they had but I just did not like the taste. I guess it would have to be a taste I get accustomed to.
Vij
February 19th, 2009 @ 1:40 am
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Hope u enjoyed ur short vacation! The fish looks so inviting n I am sure that the almonds would have made it extra crunchy. Lovely Click too!
sharmi
February 19th, 2009 @ 5:52 pm
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never been on a train trip here. found it a little expensive than car.
When will you be posting a good nadan veg recipe
Seema
February 22nd, 2009 @ 2:06 pm
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I wanted to try this receipe from when I saw it on your blog. Normally we dont buy catfish but I got it this weekend to try ur receipe and it turned out delicious–thanks
MR
March 1st, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Reply

catfish at our place ends up in curry
or fried
this is good alternative
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