Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

First of all, THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

Holy SMOKES, you guys. I seriously can’t thank you enough for the overwhelmingly positive feedback you gave me on my last post. Wow. I’m floored, flattered, and just smitten with you all. Thank you. Thankyouthankyouthankyou.

That said, I’ve decided not to do a lifestyle blog.

JUST KIDDING! I’m totally doing it. Starting now. Sort of now. I’d planned on documenting our trip to this well known, local fish monger anyway, but now that I know I’m not talking to my toe jam, I’m jazzed to show you.

Sorry I said jazzed.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

Okay, SO. These beer-battered catfish tacos are pure insanity. A) When was the last time you ate catfish? Besides never. and B) Why aren’t we beer battering everything? Including toe jam.

I’m not about to take credit for this recipe. It’s straight from my Kinfolk magazine. If you’re not aware of Kinfolk just yet you are living a lie. It’s a soft, crisp, cozy, muted, stunning magazine that showcases things to cook, things to see and things to do. It’s an (extremely stylish) lifestyle magazine. And it makes me sick. I want to pet and lick it.

After bookmarking the recipe a while back, we gathered up all 3 million of our babies and headed to the fish monger.

This photo is blurry because dude was making me giggle.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

He was hilarious. Had no real idea what blogging was, but was the best sport with my phone all up in his face. Of course I was so annoyingly chipper, all, “We’re making TACOS. In a BEER BATTER. WITH THAT CATFISH YOU’RE HOLDING.”

Then he mouthed, “call the authorities” to his coworker so I simmered down.

I mentioned we’re eating catfish, right? C.A.T.F.I.S.H.

Wait, is it called catfish because of the whiskers on the face of the fish? Yeah I just got nauseous.

Matchy matchy.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

Natalie is clearly thrilled with this whole excursion.

I know this fish photo is kind of grody, but I just had to show you the actual catfish in the marinade. Super simple marinade of water, garlic powder and salt. You let it marry all up for about two hours.

Then . . . you fry.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos  Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

Thought I’d show you an up close and personal of some pico, just in case the frying frenzy is foggin’ your noggin’.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

Now these are tacos. And I eat a lot of tacos. An obscene amount of tacos. And these are something else.

Even after frying, the fish stays succulent and light. CATFISH. Who knew!

I even fried my corn tortillas ooooooops.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

I sort of followed his suggestions for the toppings, with the pico and the shredded green cabbage (completely fresh and straight up delightful). But I changed up the little cream drizzle just a bit. Mine was simple with just sour cream, cilantro and lime juice. His called for mayo and a few other things, but I was getting tired because babies.

Serve ’em with more lime. Always and forever.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

I told you the fish was catfish, right?

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos:

95% from Kinfolk Magazine (I halved the recipe for the two of us, and still had like, waaaaay a lot lot)

What it took for 4 people (12 tacos):

for the beer batter:

* 1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
* 1/4 cup dried Mexican (or regular) oregano
* 1/2 cup mustard
* 1/2 Tbs. vegetable oil
* 1/2 tsp salt
* 1/2 beer (Mexican is best)

for the fish and marinade:

* 1 large catfish fillet, cut into strips
* 4 cups water
* 1/4 cup garlic powder
* 1 Tbs. salt
* 2 quarts vegetable oil (he used lard, which is awesome if you’re into that)
* 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

In a large bowl, mix all the beer batter ingredients together. It should have a pancake batter consistency. Cover and chill for about two hours.

For the fish marinade, combine the fish, water, garlic powder and salt in a medium bowl. Let that chill for two hours, along with the batter.

Pour the flour into a shallow baking dish.

Heat the oil (or lard) in a deep, straight-sided pan to 350 degrees.

Drain the fish from the marinade and pat each strip dry. Lightly dredge the fish through the flour, shaking off any excess, then dip it in the beer batter.

In batches, fry the fish in the oil until golden brown all over, about two minutes per batch. Place on paper towels to drain.

To serve, place a couple of fish “sticks” on a couple of corn tortillas. Top with pico de gallo, shredded green cabbage and cilantro cream.

* for the pico – just chop about 5 roma tomatoes, 1 small seeded jalapeno pepper, a little bit of red onion, a handful of cilantro and a few squeezes of lime juice. Season with salt.

* for the cilantro cream – about half a cup of sour cream in a food processor with half a cup of cilantro leaves and 1 – 2 Tbs fresh lime juice. Pulse. Devour.

Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

I’m seriously lucky he didn’t just barf all over my head.

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45 Responses to Beer-Battered Catfish Tacos

  1. Meagan @ A Zesty Bite August 25, 2014 at 9:40 pm #
    Oh my gosh I love these catfish tacos. Definitely saving to make in the NEAR future.
  2. Tieghan August 25, 2014 at 10:36 pm #
    Oh my gosh, Bev you are awesome!! These tacos are awesome. Go you!
  3. Sues August 25, 2014 at 10:55 pm #
    There is absolutely nothing I do not love about these.
  4. Averie @ Averie Cooks August 25, 2014 at 11:04 pm #
    Love that you're moving in the lifestyle direction and I loved reading the comments on your last post...holy smokes people came out in serious droves and that is just so AWESOME!
  5. Millie l Add A Little August 26, 2014 at 1:32 am #
    This looks amazing! I love fish tacos so will definitely try it out!
  6. Bri | Bites of Bri August 26, 2014 at 6:09 am #
    I loved reading what people had to say last week to your idea. I'm pumped about the lifestyle direction and about these tacos! I know you love tacos so I trust your judgment :)
  7. Nicole August 26, 2014 at 6:17 am #
    So happy you loved the responses, becaues clearly we love you! AWESOME first-but-not-really-lifestyle post... cause babies.
  8. Molly @ Yes to Yolks August 26, 2014 at 7:27 am #
    These look and sound fantastic. I don't know that I've ever actually had catfish before. This looks like a stellar recipe to start with. Also, obsessed with those babies.
  9. Amber @ Slim Pickin's Kitchen August 26, 2014 at 7:35 am #
    Yum to catfish! I'm from South Kakalak so I grew up eating catfish more than your average person probs. It's so good, and I'm pretty sure the only way to eat it is fried. I've never had a catfish taco though! It's gonna happen, fo sho.
  10. Liz @ The Lemon Bowl August 26, 2014 at 7:40 am #
    You had me at Mexican oregano.
  11. Leslie @An Elephant in London August 26, 2014 at 8:36 am #
    YAY :) I couldn't be more pleased with your decision.
  12. Jesse August 26, 2014 at 8:57 am #
    Bev, we have a fish fry every Labor Day. This. is. perfect. Love the recipe, the pics and the babes. You da best!
  13. claire @ the realistic nutritionist August 26, 2014 at 9:28 am #
    omg I'm drooling.
  14. Nicole ~ Cooking for Keeps August 26, 2014 at 9:45 am #
    I didn't even know we had fish mongers in KC! Clearly, I've been living under a rock. Beer batter + fish = everything. Hurray for turning this into a lifestyle blog, can't wait to see what's in store for us!
  15. Cookbook Queen August 26, 2014 at 9:51 am #
    So, I'm totally in love with the tacos and the babies and all of this post...but I really want to talk about your purse in the last photo!!
    • Bev Weidner August 26, 2014 at 9:54 am #
      www.balielf.com! It's the Mi Vida. I've had it for two years and still in loooove with it.
  16. Sarah August 26, 2014 at 10:01 am #
    Wonderful post! Can't wait to make these. My husband is from Kentucky so I already knew about the magic of catfish, but I've always used a breading to fry catfish. Don't know why I never thought to beer batter! Thank you thank you thank you. Best part of the post? The last picture and caption because you expressed exactly what ran through my head. Guess if you ever had it happen, it makes you a bit squeamish to see someone in that pose.
  17. Heather August 26, 2014 at 10:01 am #
    Perfect combo of babies, beer and tacos!
  18. Jenny August 26, 2014 at 10:05 am #
    Duh! Totally knew you were a lifestyle blogger from the beginning. What took you so long!?!? :-) Oh miss all those days instant messaging and talking/sharing our day and listening to you obsess over your lists, calendars, meals, parties...."sigh", I really miss those times and living vicariously through your effervescence and zeal for life. Hope this direction takes you to the moon. Much love Jenny P
  19. Laura August 26, 2014 at 10:15 am #
    Bev you inspire me! I am so ........very.........tired. And I only have one. ONE LITTLE DUDE. I've been so busy reading news articles and opinions on news articles, and depressing MORE news articles, that I forgot to read your blog, which is fresh, and real, and INSPIRING. I need that. I need to believe that I can make really pretty food at night, and that all the fun and craziness I have with my son is as normal and real as anything, and your blog does that. Thank you! And I may just start some blog entries of my own....I miss writing, and since I'm SUPPOSED to be a comedy writer for SNL in my other life, I should get on that. .......inspired! :D L
  20. Ashley August 26, 2014 at 10:33 am #
    Holyyy smokes does that fried fish look AH-mazing [coming from the girl who hasn't eaten fish in 4 years]. LOVE this lifey-foodie-baby post. YAY.
  21. Amy @Very Culinary August 26, 2014 at 11:31 am #
    These tacos make me weepy. The end.
  22. Tracy | PeanutButter and Onion August 26, 2014 at 12:22 pm #
    I don't follow any lifestyle blogs, you will be the first!
  23. Lisa August 26, 2014 at 12:36 pm #
    Come to the MS coast! Fresh catfish (fried, grilled, taco'd, filet'd, etc) GALORE. Food is amazing down here =)
  24. Kari@Loaves n Dishes August 26, 2014 at 1:25 pm #
    Ya...I eat a lot of tacos too...can't get enough! I also love beer battered everything; in fact I love fried anything! These look dee-vine Bev!
  25. Alannah August 26, 2014 at 2:00 pm #
    Your recipes are killer. Your babies give Iris Gill a serious run for Cutest Kids on the Internet. You are sweet and funny and genuine and I can vouch for that in real life and it comes across online in a great way. So anything you decide to do next will be wonderful and I will gladly follow along.
  26. Heather August 26, 2014 at 2:02 pm #
    Love seeing more of KC and where you source your ingredients!
  27. Eileen August 26, 2014 at 4:47 pm #
    Fish tacos!! YAY! These are my favorite kind of tacos, hands down. That salt water marinade sounds really interesting and different!
  28. Kara August 27, 2014 at 2:09 pm #
    you fried the tortillas! this looks simply delightful, and that delight is only heightened by the notion of visiting a fish monger. so...I went to the fish monger...it has a ring to it, yeah?
  29. Sarah @ People,Places&Plates August 27, 2014 at 2:35 pm #
    Never had catfish before! Also never fried anything before......should probably get on that..
  30. Kiara August 27, 2014 at 8:17 pm #
    Boyfriend saw these on my iPad, and I kid you not, said we must scrap our plans for an expensive roast and the week of leftovers and freezer awesomeness to make this. He is offering rewards. You take pretty pictures, Bev. I'm gonna let him make these, lol.
  31. Natalie August 27, 2014 at 8:23 pm #
    aahhh now I need catfish and fried corn tortillas. yessss.
  32. Anonymous August 29, 2014 at 8:35 am #
    Our family is so used to the beer-batter, that I get surprised any time I hear someone hasn't heard of or used it. We beer-batter everything that can be battered typically (yeah, 'cos it's delicious :) Your recipe looks awesome. Heading to grab some tacos now... Have a great weekend, Bev and Bev's family! Maya S.
  33. maddie August 29, 2014 at 9:47 am #
    oh my gosh. your husband totally looks like brad paisley in that picture!!! now that's cool.
    • Bev Weidner August 29, 2014 at 9:54 am #
      Haha! The funny thing is, we both thought he looks kind of murdery in that photo.
  34. Carol at Wild Goose Tea September 2, 2014 at 4:03 pm #
    I love fish tacos. But catfish----extra wow. And the beer batter double wow. Baby Natalie---triple Wow.
  35. Jennie @themessybakerblog September 3, 2014 at 7:16 am #
    Even the wee one looks thrilled. I think it's time to fry some catfish!

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