Pan-fried Catfish with Hush Puppies

Description
Contributed by Catsrecipes Y-Group
 * Makes 4 Servings

Ingredients

 * 4 x 6- to 8-ounce catfish fillets
 * 1 cup fine yellow cornmeal
 * 1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
 * ¼ cup bacon fat
 * ¾ cup vegetable oil
 * 1 medium onion, chopped fine
 * 1 cup all purpose flour
 * 1 tablespoon baking powder
 * 1½ cups milk
 * lemon slices (garnish)

Directions

 * 1) Rinse the fillets and shake dry.
 * 2) Combine the cornmeal, salt and pepper on a platter.
 * 3) Combine the bacon fat and the oil in a large skillet and heat until almost smoking.
 * 4) Quickly dredge the fish in the cornmeal mixture and carefully lay in the pan, being careful not to crowd.
 * 5) While the fish browns, transfer the remaining cornmeal mixture to a small bowl and add the onion, flour, baking powder, and milk.
 * 6) Stir until just mixed and somewhat thicker than a batter, but thinner than a dough.
 * 7) Turn the fish and add the hush-puppy mixture, a tablespoon at a time, to the pan, one for each fillet.
 * 8) Turn the hush puppies as they brown, lowering the heat slightly to allow the hush puppies and fish to cook through.
 * 9) When the fish and hush puppies are done, transfer them to a hot platter, and garnish with lemon slices.
 * 10) Serve with sliced tomatoes and onions on a bed of field greens and hot potato salad.