Meatless Friday Meal- Cashew Crusted Catfish withTomato Basil Cream

After a day like yesterday I needed to reconnect with our land and so we went fishing.  Check out our catch.

 We are not vegetarian (though I understand why many are) so our goal here in growing our own food is also to raise livestock that can feed us.  Our catfish pond provides us with a plentiful supply of homegrown fish.  We know where it came from and what it ate and its lots of fun to fish your own dinner.

This recipe is easy and quick and may inspire you to eat some cat for dinner : )  You could substitute almonds for the cashews if they are less expensive.  This wonderful recipe comes from sheknows.com. If you can only grow a few things around your house, basil should be one of them along with chives.  They both can be grown  anywhere including pots and you will use them all the time.

CASHEW CRUSTED CATFISH WITH TOMATO BASIL CREAM
Makes 2 servings 

Ingredients: 3 tablespoons olive oil 
1/2 cup minced onion 
4 cloves garlic, minced 
2 cups canned crushed tomatoes 
1/4 cup chicken stock or canned broth 
1/4 cup heavy cream 
1/4 cup minced fresh basil leaves 
2 cups ground cashews 
2 teaspoons garlic powder 
1/2 teaspoon dried basil or 1 teaspoon fresh 
1/2 teaspoon black pepper 
2 eggs, beaten 
1/2 cup milk 
2 (4 to 5 ounces each) catfish fillets 
Vegetable oil for frying 

Directions: 1. To prepare the tomato basil sauce, heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until translucent. Add crushed tomatoes and chicken stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Add cream and return to a boil. Simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in basil and set aside. 

2. To prepare the catfish, mix cashews, garlic powder, basil and black pepper in a shallow dish or on a piece of wax paper. Mix eggs and milk in another shallow dish. Dip catfish fillets in the egg mixture, then dredge in the cashew mixture. Set aside on a wax paper-lined baking sheet. 

3. Pour a 1/2-inch of oil into a large skillet and heat over medium heat. Place the fillets in the hot oil and fry for 5 or 6 minutes on each side or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Spoon tomato basil sauce onto each serving plate and top with a catfish fillet. Serve immediately. 


Sunday I will be posting the info on the Easter craft along starting on Monday.  Try at least one of the crafts, imagine how much more special your Easter will be when YOU made it.

6 Responses to Meatless Friday Meal- Cashew Crusted Catfish withTomato Basil Cream

  1. Crunchy Momma April 11, 2011 at 11:12 pm #

    Detta, You can totally use tilapia which is an even milder tasting fish than catfish. I just spent some time over at your blog…very nice! You are so pretty!!!! I shall continue to visit.

  2. Detta April 11, 2011 at 6:36 pm #

    I just found your blog a couple of days ago and LOVE it! "If you can only grow a few things around your house, basil should be one of them along with chives". Agreed! I live in a small home with no yard so pots work for us. There is no substitute for fresh basil…Yum!Your recipe looks fantastic. I am wondering if you could sub tilapia for the catfish? Do you know?I did a week of meatless meal posts a couple of weeks ago. Feel free to check them out! (follow the link and then select "Lent" under the labels).http://aplaceembracedbyharmony.blogspot.com/

  3. Crunchy Momma April 9, 2011 at 3:54 am #

    Cris, My kids would have loved some pizza haha. You need to visit and go fishin!

  4. Cristina April 9, 2011 at 3:51 am #

    That sure beats the pizza and pasta my kids got today. You are living the dream Crunchy Momma!

  5. Crunchy Momma April 9, 2011 at 12:10 am #

    Molly, It was stocked 3 years ago and they take care of the rest. We only eat the really big ones so that they don't eat the babies in the pond.

  6. molly April 8, 2011 at 11:58 pm #

    looks divine:)Do you have to restock your pond yearly?

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