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Grilling season is still vivid, and what better way to celebrate than with a fresh catch? Catfish, known for its mild flavor and tender texture, and easy cleaning is perfect for grilling. Whether you're a seasoned angler or picking up your fillets at the market, grilling catfish is an easy and rewarding way to enjoy this versatile fish.
Catfish
Catfish is a beloved staple in Southern cuisine, known for its mild flavor and versatility. Since I live close the sea and take advantage of the bounty of saltwater fish, I don't cook fresh water fish very often. However, this fish is the type of fish that I grew up eating.
About our Camping
As you are guessing, we went camping as the last chance to get away as a family before the school year started. We chose the same location as last year, because we like it a lot. Perfect spot: beautiful fresh water lake, woods, play ground, beach, etc.
We are always thrilled to have experiences for the children to play in the woods, run bare foot, polish their fishing skills, swim, kayak, bike, and make new friends; an amazing time for children and adults.
Last year we got lucky and went camping twice, and you can find the video here to see it and compare how much the kids grew in one year, it's amazing.
I have to mention we are not professional campers, we do not prep to the teeth, we don't have set recipes that we like to cook while we camp, we don't have a specific way we do stuff. We just randomly gather stuff together that we think we may need and go. AND IT'S ALWAYS SO MUCH FUN!
We took fishing equipment, but I didn't expect to catch anything, so I didn't bring anything with me to clean any fish.
And sure enough, my boys caught a catfish... about 3 pounds. But of course as each day passes, the bigger the fish gets in their minds.
It was a beautiful fish, and I got excited about it. I got my chef knife and not even having a cutting board I made it happen.
When you buy your Catfish
When it comes to catfish or any fish, freshness is a key. Look for fillets with firm, moist flesh and a mild, fresh scent. If you're lucky enough to catch your own, like us, be sure to clean and prep the fish properly.
Marinades and Seasonings for Catfish
Catfish pairs well with a variety of flavors. A simple marinade of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and your favorite herbs can enhance the natural taste of the fish. For a Southern twist, try a blend of Cajun spices for a bit of heat. But I offer for you to try something very different, that a picky fish eater would love, it's pesto sauce. I'm big lover of this sauce and make a big batch to freeze every summer.
Why Cook Catfish in Foil?
I hardly ever use foil for cooking at home. But when we travel or, camp this is my short cut. Cooking fish in foil involves sealing the fish in a foil packet along with adding seasonings, herbs, etc. This technique has several advantages:
Moisture Retention: The sealed packet traps steam, keeping the fish moist and preventing it from drying out.
Flavor Infusion: The enclosed environment allows the fish to absorb the flavors of the seasonings and herbs (parsley in my case), resulting in a more flavorful dish.
Easy Cleanup: Since everything is cooked in the foil, there are no pots or pans to clean, making it a convenient option for a quick meal.
Adaptability to where to cook: Can be used grill (like I did it) or oven.
Recipes For Seafood Lovers:
Serving Suggestions for grilled Catfish
Grilled catfish is versatile and can be served in various ways. Pair it with a fresh garden salad, grilled vegetables (like I did), or even Oriental Crunchy Slaw with Healthy Dressing. For a heartier meal, serve the catfish with herb-butter rice.
Grilling catfish is a simple yet flavorful way to enjoy this beloved fish. With the right preparation and seasonings, you can create a dish that will impress your family and friends. So, fire up the grill, and enjoy the flavors of end of the summer!
The recipe is so simple, let me walk you through...
Ingredients
2-3 lb. whole catfish (any fish can be done the same way)
Salt, black pepper
half lemon, sliced
1/2 cup parsley, chopped
4 tablespoons olive oil
1/3 cup pesto sauce (I used homemade, see recipe here)
Veggies to serve of your choice (grilled potatoes and mix of veggies: carrots, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, that I cooked in cast iron on a grill by using up leftover bacon grease from that morning).
Directions
Clean catfish. Turn the fish belly up and make a shallow incision from the vent (near the tail) up to the area where the head.
Remove the Guts: Carefully reach in and pull out the guts. Discard them into the waste bucket. You can leave roe (if any there you find) and liver. Everything else please, discard.
Rinse the Fish: Rinse the inside of the catfish thoroughly under cold running water to remove any remaining blood or debris.
Dry Fish: Use paper towel and dry it inside and out.
Season Fish: With salt, pepper inside and out. Add lemon slices and chopped parsley inside the fish. Drizzle with olive oil on both sides, Brush oil evenly all over the skin.
Wrap Fish into a foil: Wrapping with a double foil or heavy duty will protect fish and preserve all the juices.
Grill Fish: Cook for 10-15 minutes depending on the size of your fish. Flip once or twice. Grill fish on low-medium heat. Check for bones
Brush with a sauce: The last touch of this delicious dish is to brush with a pesto sauce. Carefully open the foil with the fish and brush fish with a pesto sauce, flip fish and do it again. Try to do this step carefully to save all the juices that the fish has been cooked with. ENJOY!
I hope you'll make this recipe soon. If you do, please tag me #innichka_chef on Instagram, Facebook, Patreon or Pinterest.
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