The only REAL way to cook fish...

[JLKESQ]

OK,

This is probably because I grew up in Nebraska, but I still think that the best - and probably only two ways there are to cook fish, at least in my mind - are either to dredge a few fillets through some flour, and fry them, or to toss them on the grill with a little bit of sea salt and some black pepper, and maybe a little bit of lemon juice and some melted butter to brown them up.

Plus, I don’t think it matters whether you are cooking catfish, or walleyes this way – any kind of fish will turn out great either of these two ways.

Who’s with me on this?

Anybody do anything different to cook fish?

[Catfishin 4 Life]

I try numerous thing through out the year but im with you in the fryer or on the grill with just the basics is what i normaly do.

Jeremey

[cougarw]

Most of my fish gets deep fried with Golden dipt batter, that's the way the family likes it so I'll keep doing it. Recently started laying walleye fillets in a cake pan with butter, lemon slices and a few other spices I find in the cabinet and bake it for 45 min at about 260. This has been turning out very good.

[JLKESQ]

cougarw,

I will make batter for catfish every once in a while, but most of the time it’s just a quick dusting of flour and into the oil.

The baked walleye has my attention; any spices/seasonings that are a necessity with the lemon, or just do it according to taste and what you like?

JLK

[cougarw]

Just according to taiste. I like lots of lemon but the wife doesn't, so half of one is plenty, a little lauwerys seasoning salt and small dash of onion and celery salt and butter is all I put in, of course everybodies taiste is different. Man that sounds good, I think I'll take some out of the freezer for tonight.

[clucker]

I really like to grill my fillets with barbecue sauce. Turns out good, but my wife doesn't like it that way. So I just use some cajun seasoning on hers with a little butter.

[jimbosan]

people down south say cornmeal for fish and flour for chicken, i like the flour method though!

[Storm]

Plus, I don’t think it matters whether you are cooking catfish, or walleyes this way – any kind of fish will turn out great either of these two ways.

Who’s with me on this?

Anybody do anything different to cook fish?

When it comes to fried fish I have changed my method over the years by making in all honesty really one difference , that being I've switched from flour to cornmeal and let me tell you why ...

For starters no matter what fish I fry I always , I repeat always soak the fish overnight in a bowl of salt water , secondly I still prefer Bullhead and Catfish dredged in only flour with salt & pepper and then after frying I wrap the fish in aluminum foil and bake in the oven , now until you try that at least once I can promise you that you haven't had a great tasting Bullhead or a Catfish ...

The only time I cook Cat without baking it afterwards is when I use my turkey fryer or when I smoke Catfish ...

Now I mentioned I made a difference over the years and that being I use to fry all my fish in flour with salt & pepper , however over the years when I now cook Bass or Bluegills and even Crappie I use nothing but cornmeal , again as follows is why ... Fish that have good white meat as the three I just mentioned , a guy cannot beat the taste & texture of cornmeal and no I never use a ton of spices , on the contrary I still only use salt & pepper because I want to taste the actual fish and not the coating ...

So while Bullhead and Catfish I still stay old school so to speak I must emphasize that the texture & flavor of cornmeal on white fish , again Bass - Bluegills - Crappie , the cornmeal is the only way to go in my opinion and like I tell everyone , merely try it once and see what you think , no harm in that and most I have made believers on cornmeal regarding fish with clean white meat ...

[jarredbehrendt]

For frying you cannot go wrong with beer batter. Its fast easy and very little mess compared to the eggwash method. Good beer though not some of that pee water that a lot of people drink around here

[jarredbehrendt]

For frying you cannot go wrong with beer batter. Its fast easy and very little mess compared to the eggwash method. Good beer though not some of that pee water that a lot of people drink around here

[Catfishsteve]

Flour and fry!! Right on, James. That's great for bluegills and crappie. For cats I'll go half and half cornmeal and flour and on the grill I brush with olive oil just a bit first and sometimes I'll lay some rosemary on the grill first, over a low fire and lay the fish on that to grill. Yummmy! But that's more trouble than I usually go to. Flour and fry it when it's fresh, salt and pepper!! Can't be beat.

[Catfishsteve]

Flour and fry!! Right on, James. That's great for bluegills and crappie. For cats I'll go half and half cornmeal and flour and on the grill I brush with olive oil just a bit first and sometimes I'll lay some rosemary on the grill first, over a low fire and lay the fish on that to grill. Yummmy! But that's more trouble than I usually go to. Flour and fry it when it's fresh, salt and pepper!! Can't be beat.

[VA Husker]

All of the post above sound good. I also use the half flour half cornmeal but I mix in some Old Bay Seasoning usually used for cooking crabs around here. It makes a pretty tasty breading you can also use the same mix and throw in a bottle of Michelob Lager or less depending on how much batter you are making. Then fry. I have used both methods on several kinds if fish.
Try it you might just like it!

[Done]

Instead of plain flour, try using pancake mix. It coats better, tastes better and browns better.

[DiggerDog]

Originally Posted by Done

Instead of plain flour, try using pancake mix. It coats better, tastes better and browns better.

We've tried that and it is pretty good. However it's almost like a beer batter which I like but the richness doesn't like me.

[MURF]

Just cooked up some eyes this evening. Went a bit further than the flour route.

Dredged in seasoned flour then in Mayonnaise thinned with bottled lemon juice. Then coated with Panko, Parmesan cheese, sea salt, lemon pepper mix. Fried in butter and oil.

Think I've found my eyes, perch, crappie and gills recipe. Came out with light flavorful crust and flaky fish.

[fishunt]

For stronger tasteing fish like bass ( that I seldom keep) or white bass I've soaked the in a marinade of zesty Italian dressing for a while the pop them in a 350 oven for about 15 min or so & sprinkle on some grated cheddar cheese when done. Kind of a pace from frying which is still my fave.

[Tone2129]

Also, let them sit in Butter Milk over night. It will take the fish taste out of them!

[Black Lab 1]

Best and easiest recipe I've ever used for Crappie!

- Typical egg and milk to dip the fillets in to get the rest of the mixture to stick
- Crush 1 sleeve of Saltine crackers in a large ziplock bag.
- Add 1/8th to 1/4th teaspoon garlic powder and shake. (Not garlic salt as the saltines have plenty)
- Melt butter in frying pan, dip fillets in milk/egg mixture and put in baggie.
- Shake until coated with the cracker/garlic mixture and place in hot frying pan.
- Fry for 5 min. per side or longer if you like crispy critters.

[Willhuntforfood]

I wondered when somebody was gonna mention Saltines...MMMM.

First I soak my fillets or catfish nuggest overnight in just plain ole salt water....not much salt. Then I mix up a half flour/half corn meal batter with just a lil bit of powdered sugar. Then I crush Saltines with a red pepper blend in a zip lock baggie. I dip the fish in the egg milk mixture that everyone uses and then into the flour. One more dunk in the egg and then in the crackers. Drop it in the fryer and it turns crispy golden brown.

That's it....now I'm going panfishing tomorrow....All my fish has been ate up so it's time to restock the freezer.