Mud Hogs (Bacon-Wrapped Catfish Nuggets)

We invented this recipe one day while trying to figure out what to do with some leftover catfish.  We’re in the deep south, so if catfish isn’t readily available where you are, you can substitute pretty much any kind of fish filets you like.  You’ll need 8 or 10 of those 6” wooden skewers.  Makes about 4 servings.

The finished Mud-Hogs

Ingredients

2 lbs. catfish filets, cut into 1 ¼” pieces

2 cups milk

8 strips bacon

1 cup yellow cornmeal

1 cup all-purpose flour

¼ tsp. garlic powder

¼ tsp. ground black pepper

1 tbl. cayenne pepper

¼ tsp. salt

3 cups canola oil (for frying)

Directions

·         In a large bowl, place the catfish pieces and cover with milk (this takes the “fishy” taste out) and refrigerate for about one hour

·         In a large skillet, fry the bacon over medium-low heat until partially cooked but still limp (turning once)

·         Remove bacon from skillet, drain on paper towels and set aside for later use

·         In a separate bowl, combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, black pepper, cayenne, and salt, and mix well

·         Starting with a piece of bacon, skewer the bacon, then a piece of fish, then wrap the bacon onto the skewer again, and keep alternating bacon/fish, weaving the bacon around each piece of fish (see photo below)

You can see here how the bacon weaves around each piece of fish on the skewer.

 ·         Dredge the skewered fish in the flour mixture until well coated on all sides, and shake off any excess

·         Heat oil in a deep 10” skillet over medium-high heat until hot

·         Fry the catfish skewers in the oil until golden brown and fully cooked, about 5 minutes per side, turning with tongs (you’ll need to push them around a bit while frying to keep from sticking)

·         Remove from oil with spatula and place on baking tray, and keep warm in oven until ready to serve

These go great with Coleslaw and Cheese Grits (recipe to follow soon!).  You might also want to try to make Tom’s home-made Tartar Sauce to go with the fish.