Fried Catfish

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup buttermilk (or milk)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 tsp salt to taste
• 1 pound catfish fillets, cut in strips

• 1 1/2 cups fine cornmeal
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1 TBS Paul  Seafood Magic Blackened seasoning (or two if you really like spicy.. and I DO)
• 1 quart vegetable oil for deep frying
  Lemons to squeeze after frying 

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, mix buttermilk, egg, water, and salt  Add fish and set aside to marinate.
2. 
   
3. In large mixing bowl combine the cornmeal, flour, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, black pepper and blackened seasoning.  Add fish to the mixture, a few fillets at a time, and tumble gently to coat evenly.
4. 
   
5. Heat oil in deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C).
6. 
   
7. Deep fry fillets until golden brown, about 7 -10  minutes. Avoid overcrowding so fillets have room to brown properly. Fish should be slightly crisp outside, and moist and flaky inside. Drain on paper towels.