Catfish Are Jumpin’

Is it possible to fall in love with a piece of cookware? I’ve been baking and frying in my new cast-iron skillet nonstop since I bought it. Well-seasoned cast iron conducts heat evenly, making it a natural for frying fish.

Add a side of coleslaw, a glass of iced tea and sliced fresh peaches over vanilla ice cream and you couldn’t ask for a better meal.

So get out the old pan (or start seasoning a new one) and fry up a mess o’ something. You’ll fall in love all over again.

Menu

Fried Catfish

Smoky Coleslaw

Iced Tea

Sliced Peaches and Vanilla Ice Cream

Fried Catfish

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

If you don’t have a cast-iron skillet, a heavy-bottomed skillet will do.

1 1/2 pounds catfish filets

Salt

3/4 cup cornmeal

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Cayenne pepper

1 1/2 cups oil

1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges

* Rinse and dry catfish. Cut crosswise on slight diagonal into 1-inch strips. Sprinkle with salt to taste. Combine cornmeal, dash salt, pepper and dash cayenne. Dredge catfish strips in seasoned cornmeal, shaking off excess.

* Heat oil in heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Oil should be hot but not smoking. Fry fish until golden brown, about 3 to 6 minutes, depending on thickness of fish. Turn fish over halfway through cooking time. Drain briefly on paper towels and serve with lemon wedges.

4 servings. Each serving: 310 calories; 160 mg sodium; 79 mg cholesterol; 20 grams fat; 7 grams carbohydrates; 25 grams protein; 0.07 gram fiber.

Smoky Coleslaw

Active Work and Total Preparation Time: 15 minutes

Coleslaw is a must with fried fish. For your convenience, buy packages of shredded cabbage.

1/2 cup mayonnaise

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

1 teaspoon sugar, or more to taste

2 packed cups shredded green cabbage

1 green onion, including green top, chopped

2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper

3 strips cooked bacon, crumbled

Salt, pepper

* Combine mayonnaise, vinegar and sugar in mixing bowl. Add cabbage to dressing and mix until cabbage is thoroughly moistened. Add onion, bell pepper, bacon and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.

4 servings. Each serving: 161 calories; 365 mg sodium; 12 mg cholesterol; 12 grams fat; 12 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams protein; 0.38 gram fiber.

GAME PLAN

30 minutes before: Make seasoned cornmeal. Fry bacon for coleslaw. Cut up lemon.

20 minutes before: Make dressing for coleslaw. Chop green onion. Chop bell pepper.

15 minutes before: Start heating oil. Slice and dredge catfish for frying.

5 minutes before: Finish coleslaw.

INGREDIENTS

Shopping List

Bacon

Shredded green cabbage

1 1/2 pounds catfish filets

Peaches

Red bell pepper

Vanilla ice cream

Staples

Cayenne pepper

Cider vinegar

Cornmeal

Lemon

Mayonnaise

Green onions

Oil

Sugar