How about blackened catfish, spicy fries, coleslaw and hush puppies?
This can sometimes be a lot of work but is well worth it. The blackened catfish can be made a variety of ways, but the one below is a family favorite. It may smoke up your kitchen so open a window, turn on the fan or cook on the grill (healthier) outside. Can also use a cast iron pan on the grill to fry it.
Blackened Catfish
4 catfish fillets
olive oil
1/3 lb. bacon
2 teaspoons each of the following:
garlic powder
thyme
white pepper
black pepper
cayenne pepper
lemon pepper
cumin or chili powder
rosemary, crushed
fennel seed, crushed
1 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon oregano
½ teaspoon salt
Fry bacon (save for later use) and keep the grease. Combine all dry ingredients, rub fillets with olive oil, then coat liberally with spices. Drop in hot bacon grease (if not enough, add olive oil to desired depth) and cook until you can easily put a fork through them. Serves 4 normal or two very hungry people.
Spicy Fries
1 (16 oz) pkg frozen french fry potatoes
2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp each salt & black pepper
Nonstick spray
Mix spices together combining well. Coat frozen fries with nonstick spray and sprinkle spice mix over them; tossing well to evenly distribute spice mixture. Bake in a 375 degree oven until golden brown or as directed on package. May also deep or pan fry.
Coleslaw
1 lg head cabbage, shredded
2 lg carrots, shredded
1/4 cup minced onion
1 cup salad dressing (Miracle Whip)
1/8 cup sugar (1/4 cup if using mayo instead of salad dressing)
Salt/pepper to taste
Hush Puppies
2 1/2 cups yellow corn meal
1 teaspoon soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1/2 cup minced onion
1 tsp red pepper flakes or 1/2 finely chopped jalapeno
1 egg, beaten
2 cups buttermilk
oil for deep frying
Mix all dry ingredients in a bowl; whisk milk and egg together and combine with dry ingredients; batter should hold its shape when picked up with a spoon. Let sit for five minutes. If batter is too soft, add more cornmeal until it is firm enough to hold shape. Drop 3 to 4 at a time by tablespoon into 350° oil and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes, turning several times. Drain on paper towels. Allow oil to heat a few seconds before frying the next batch.