Okay, so, I’ve been craving some good ol’ fried catfish lately. You know, the kind that’s crispy on the outside and flaky on the inside? Yeah, that’s the stuff. But here’s the thing, fried catfish is only as good as the sides you serve it with. So, I set out to determine what is the best match for the fried catfish.
First, I fried up a batch of catfish. I just used a simple cornmeal breading, nothing fancy. While the catfish was frying, I started thinking about what to pair it with. One of the classic, and I do mean classic, sides for fried catfish is coleslaw. I whipped up a quick coleslaw with some shredded cabbage, carrots, and a simple mayonnaise-based dressing. It’s creamy, it’s crunchy, and it cuts through the richness of the fried fish like a dream.
-
Coleslaw Ingredients:
- Shredded cabbage
- Shredded carrots
- Mayonnaise
- Vinegar
- Sugar
- Salt and pepper
But I didn’t stop there. I also made some hush puppies. If you’ve never had a hush puppy, you’re missing out. They’re basically little balls of deep-fried cornbread batter, and they are heavenly. They’re crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, and have just a hint of sweetness. They add more crunch and are really perfect with catfish.
-
Hush Puppy Ingredients:
- Cornmeal
- Flour
- Sugar
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Egg
- Milk
- Onion (optional)
And because I was feeling a bit extra, I also boiled some green beans. Not just any green beans, though. I made them “dilly” style, which means I cooked them until they were just tender, then tossed them in a mixture of vinegar, garlic, and dill. They’re tangy, they’re flavorful, and they add a nice freshness to the meal.
-
Dilly Green Beans Ingredients:
- Fresh green beans
- Vinegar
- Garlic
- Fresh dill
- Salt and pepper
Finally, I plated everything up. The crispy catfish, the creamy coleslaw, the fluffy hush puppies, and the tangy green beans. And let me tell you, it was a match made in heaven. Each bite was a perfect balance of flavors and textures. I ate until I was stuffed, and then I ate some more. Because when you’ve got a meal this good, you just can’t stop.
So, there you have it. My journey to find the perfect sides for fried catfish. It was a delicious adventure, and I encourage you all to try it out for yourselves. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
