Bente Birkedal-Hansen of Bethesda, Maryland, says that Azalea Restaurant in Birmingham, Alabama, does a great job with catfish, serving the whole fish with an Asian-style black bean sauce. It would make an impressive main course at a dinner party.


If whole catfish are difficult to get at your local supermarket, order them from the fishmonger and have the fish cleaned.

Makes 4 servings.

INGREDIENTS

  • 21 1/2- to 1 3/4-pound whole catfish, cleaned, gutted
  • 24thin slices peeled fresh ginger (about 2 ounces)
  • 3/4cup rice flour*1 1/2cups peanut oilblack bean-soy sauce
  • 1large tomato, seeded, diced
  • 1/4cup chopped green onions
  • 2limes, cut into wedges

  • DIRECTIONS

    Preheat oven to 350°F. Using knife, make 6 diagonal slits on 1 side of each fish, spacing evenly and cutting to the bone. Insert 1 ginger slice into each slit. Turn fish over. Make 6 diagonal slits on second side of each fish; insert remaining sliced ginger. Sprinkle catfish with enough rice flour to coat on all sides.

    Heat 1 1/2 cups peanut oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 375°F. Gently slide 1 catfish into skillet and fry until golden and almost cooked through, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to rimmed baking sheet. Repeat frying with second catfish.


    Bake catfish in oven until cooked through and opaque in center, about 10 minutes. Transfer to platter. Pour Black bean-Soy Sauce over. Garnish platter with tomato, green onions and lime wedges. Serve immediately.