Crispy Fried Catfish with Spicy Peanut Sauce

Ingredients

• 4 catfish fillets (about 1 pound / 450g) 4 catfish fillets (about 1 pound / 450g)
• 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour 1 cup (120g) all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• Vegetable oil, for frying Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1 cup (240ml) roasted peanuts 1 cup (240ml) roasted peanuts
• 2 cloves garlic 2 cloves garlic
• 2 red chili peppers, seeded 2 red chili peppers, seeded
• 1 tablespoon tamarind paste 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar) 1 tablespoon palm sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 cup (240ml) water 1 cup (240ml) water
• Lime wedges, for serving Lime wedges, for serving
• Fresh cilantro, for garnish Fresh cilantro, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat: 25g (Saturated Fat: 4g)
• Carbohydrates: 30g (Sugar: 8g)
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 4g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a shallow dish, combine the flour, salt, turmeric, and coriander. Mix well.
2. 2.
   Pat the catfish fillets dry with paper towels and coat them evenly with the flour mixture.
3. 3.
   Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
4. 4.
   Fry the catfish fillets in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 4-5 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
5. 5.
   In a blender or food processor, combine the roasted peanuts, garlic, chili peppers, tamarind paste, sweet soy sauce, palm sugar, and water. Blend until smooth and creamy.
6. 6.
   Transfer the peanut sauce to a small saucepan and heat over low heat, stirring occasionally, until warmed through.
7. 7.
   Serve the crispy fried catfish with the spicy peanut sauce, lime wedges, and garnish with fresh cilantro.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Catfish — Make sure to pat the catfish fillets dry before coating them with the flour mixture to ensure a crispy texture.
• Roasted peanuts — If you can't find roasted peanuts, you can roast raw peanuts in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for about 10-15 minutes until golden brown.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra crispy coating, you can double-dip the catfish fillets in the flour mixture before frying.
• Adjust the spiciness of the peanut sauce by adding more or fewer chili peppers according to your preference.
• Serve the dish with steamed rice or noodles for a complete meal.
• If you prefer a milder flavor, you can substitute the red chili peppers with milder varieties like jalapenos.
• To save time, you can prepare the peanut sauce in advance and refrigerate it until ready to use.

Serving advice

Serve the Crispy Fried Catfish with Spicy Peanut Sauce hot, accompanied by lime wedges for squeezing over the fish. Garnish with fresh cilantro to add a pop of color and freshness to the dish.

Presentation advice

Arrange the golden fried catfish fillets on a platter and drizzle the spicy peanut sauce over them. Sprinkle some chopped peanuts and cilantro on top for an appealing presentation. Serve with lime wedges on the side.