I can’t imagine going grocery shopping only once or twice a week. How would you ever know what looked good on a particular day or what’s on special?
I go at least five times a week and rarely buy more than one day ahead. Grocery shopping is something I really enjoy.
Last week I stopped by the seafood counter at Kroger’s. I felt a little “fishy” that night. The salmon looked good but we had just had baked salmon. The grouper caught my attention, but was a little pricey. Then I noted $1.99 a pound on the catfish nuggets.
I bought a pound and a half, which was way too much for two. Two or two and a half pounds would easily serve four. So at $1.99, you could feed a party of four for about five bucks.
Catfish nuggets are parts of the catfish that didn’t make the cut as a long, clean filet. For those who have ever cleaned a catfish, you’ll know there are always some extra “parts”.
So the seafood mongers at Kroger’s put the smaller cuts, the nuggets, in a special section, and they are just as good, if not better, than the whole catfish filets.
Actually, catfish nuggets cook better than the filets because they cook quicker and are easier to brown in the skillet.
When preparing catfish, one thing you don’t want is medium rare servings. Catfish needs to be cooked thoroughly with a nice, crispy crust.
Here’s how I cooked mine.
First, rinse the nuggets in cold water and pat dry. Drag the nuggets through a milk wash (buttermilk is perfect, but whole milk will do). Next, mix some black pepper and Old Bay Seasoning in with a bowl of Washington Seafood Breader. I like Washington because it has a little kick to it and the corn meal is not as fine as others I have used, and makes a crispier crust.
Next, put the coated fish in a hot skillet – my new Presto Fry Pan was perfect. Cook at a high temperature. When you think they’re done, cook a few minutes longer. You really want the fish thoroughly cooked.
Now for the supreme test. The Nancy test. If my wife Nancy likes something, you have done well. There are many things she will try and not eat. Her discriminating tastes keep me on my toes as a Personal Chef.
But Nancy liked the fish – she had two helpings.
For an easy and delicious and a most economical seafood entree, try a pound or two of catfish nuggets.