Curried Catfish with Fried Rice Cakes
Course: Main Course
Keyword: Wild-Caught Chesapeake Catfish
Author: Chef Zach with Happy Chicken
Pan Fried Catfish
- 2 lbs wild caught Chesapeake catfish cut into 8 oz. portions
- salt and pepper to taste
- 1 tbsp cooking oil
Red Curry Sauce
- 1 tbsp canola oil
- 13.5 oz. coconut milk (6 cans)
- 4 oz red curry paste
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp white pepper
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/2 tsp ginger
- 2 tbsp fish sauce
- 1 cup soy sauce
- 1/4 cup lime juice
- 1 red pepper julienned
- 1 carrot peeled and julienned
- 1/2 onion julienned
- 1 pint tomatoes whole
- 1 scallion sliced
- 2 tbsp Golden Mountain seasoning sauce
Fried Rice Cakes
- 1/2 onion minced
- 1 carrot peeled and minced
- 2 shiitake mushrooms minced
- 4 qts jasmine rice precooked
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup soy sauce
- salt and pepper to taste
Fried Rice Cakes
In a wok, cook two eggs over medium heat until set. Scramble the eggs, then add precooked jasmine rice, stirring until the rice begins to stick.
Season with 1 cup of soy sauce, salt, and pepper to taste. Stir vigorously to combine.
Transfer to a greased sheet pan, press evenly, and refrigerate to cool. For best results, do this step in advance
Once cool, cut the rice into desired sizes.
Red Curry Sauce
Heat 1 tbsp of canola oil in a pot. Add red curry paste and cook until fragrant.
Whisk in coconut milk until combined with the curry paste. Then, add light brown sugar, spices, fish sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Adjust seasonings to taste.
Bring to a boil, then remove from heat and set aside.
Prep Vegetables
Julienne red pepper, carrot, and onion. Slice scallions.
In a hot wok, sauté julienned vegetables and whole tomatoes with 2 tbsp of Golden Mountain seasoning sauce until tender.
Pan-Fry Catfish
Remove skin from catfish, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper.
In a well-greased pan, fry each side for 6-8 minutes until a golden crust forms and the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.
Serve the pan-fried catfish topped with the warm red curry sauce and accompanied by the crispy fried rice cakes. Enjoy this delightful fusion of flavors and textures!