Cajun Fried Labor Day

I hope everyone had a Happy Labor Day weekend!!  It goes without saying that Labor Day is always one of the best holidays... and so many of my fondest childhood {and college} memories were spent on the water soaking up one last long weekend of sun before school {and sports} were really in full swing. This was one of the first Labor Days that I can recall being spent on the coast... with my feet in the sand and a frosty bev in my hand!  So, the hubs made up for it by taking me to spend the day at the river.  We slept in {bonus points} and then packed a picnic and heading up to the Maury Shore. :)

When we first arrived - the day looked to be something like this...

So, we explored instead and found this fun waterfall!

...and after the rain cleared, it was sunny skies all afternoon.  The perfect day on the river! That evening we topped off the weekend with a good ole fashioned Cajun fish fry. My dad has made the recipe for as long as I can remember, so it's kinda a family tradition. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

The guys soaking up some sun while we prepped for dinner. 

Cajun Fried Catfish... a true southern favorite!

Makes 6 servings

3-4 lbs catfish fillets
1 cup yellow mustard
1 cup Louisiana hot sauce
3 cups white flour
Tony Chachere's seasoning

Black pepper1 gallon vegetable oil (any kind will do)
1 large black iron pot for frying 

Place the mustard in one bowl and the hot sauce in a separate bowl. Place the flour in a larger bowl and add about 2-3 tablespoons of Tony's seasoning and a good amount of pepper to the flour. Mix well.

Take the catfish and dip into the hot sauce first, then the mustard. Make sure it is completely covered with one, then the other.  Next take the catfish and put it into the flour mixture, make sure you coat it very well, then lay it out on wax paper. After you've done this with all of the fish, sprinkle the fish with Tony's (optional).

Heat the oil in your black iron skillet, to 350 degrees (do not get any hotter) slowly add fish and fry until golden brown. The fish will float when done. Do not put more than 4-5 pieces in at one time. Take out and place on pan lined with brown paper bag or paper towels. You may want to sprinkle with Tony's again. 

....and don't forget the cole-slaw, hushpuppies and french fries.  Happy Labor Day folks!