Catfish Poppers With Spicy Dipping Sauce

Dreamgoddess's Note:

These little appetizers are so good! We really loved the dipping sauce and I can't wait to try it with some shrimp and scallops also. If you can't find the panko, feel free to use plain breadcrumbs as I did. Recipe is from Southern Living April 2006.

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 10 mins
• Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 45 poppers

• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon cajun seasoning
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 3/4 lbs catfish fillets, cut in 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 1/2 cups Japanese-style bread crumbs (panko)
• 3/4 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup spicy seafood cocktail sauce
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning (to taste)

Directions:

1. Combine the salt, Cajun seasoning and flour in a bowl.
2. In another bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk.
3. First dredge the fish in the flour, then dip in the eggs and finally dredge in the breadcrumbs.
4. Fry the catfish pieces in about 1/2" of oil heated to 375 degrees.
5. Fry about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
6. Drain and serve with the Spicy Dipping Sauce.
7. Spicy Dipping Sauce: Combine the mayonnaise, cocktail sauce, lemon juice, red pepper and Old Bay in a bowl.
8. Chill, covered, until ready to serve with the poppers.

Reviews

[Carrie_Okie]

This recipe was simple and absolutely delicious! I doubled the cajun seasoning and it was perfect for us! Thank you for sharing a great recipe!

[princessbride029]

I'm skipping the star rating because I don't think this is a bad recipe - it just wasn't to our taste. Although the fish was moist, it turned out bland (not spicy at all, and the breading really didn't have a flavor) - perhaps it was because I used tilapia instead of catfish? Or maybe it was the panko crumbs? We also found the sauce way too mayonnaise-y. We won't be having this again, but thanks anyway for sharing! :)

[Londonsbk]

These were amazing. I don't usually get excited about a recipe and tried this one because it sounded interesting and I had some extra catfish. This was great. I wouldn't change a thing. You could easily substitute any white flaky fish in the recipe and it would work great. Thank for a wonderful recipe. I can't wait to make these for friends.