Stuffed Fried Catfish

Heat a small amount of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add chopped onions, bell pepper, celery, and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.

Make the Filling:
In a bowl, combine the sautéed vegetables, breadcrumbs, cornmeal, Cajun seasoning, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, and egg. Stir well to combine and season with salt and pepper.

Stuff the Catfish:
Lay each catfish fillet flat. Spoon a generous portion of the filling onto one side of each fillet. Carefully fold the fillet over to enclose the stuffing, securing the edges with toothpicks if needed.

Prepare the Coating:
In a shallow dish, mix additional breadcrumbs, cornmeal, and Cajun seasoning. Coat each stuffed catfish fillet evenly with this mixture.

Fry the Catfish:
Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully add the stuffed catfish fillets. Fry for about 4-5 minutes per side, until golden and crispy.

Drain & Serve:
Remove the fillets from the skillet and let them drain on paper towels.

Serve & Enjoy:
Serve the stuffed fried catfish hot, garnished with lemon wedges, alongside a side of rice or coleslaw.

Serving and Storage Tips: