Catfish Muffeletta

A Catfish recipe.

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 U.S. farm-raised catfish fillets
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ cup giardeniara marinated garden salad, coarsely chopped
• 2 tablespoons pitted ripe olives, sliced
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 round loaf Italian bread (8 to 9 inches in diameter)
• 1 medium tomato, thinly sliced
• 1 bunch arugula
• 1 pound sliced provolone cheese (optional)

Directions

1. Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Season catfish fillets with salt and pepper.
3. Fry fillets in the hot oil, in batches if necessary, for 2 to 3 minutes on each side or until flakes easily when tested with a fork.
4. Place fillets on a plate to cool and drizzle with lemon juice.
5. Drain giardeniara and place in a small bowl.
6. Add, parsley, garlic and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil and mix until combined.
7. Slice the bread in half horizontally and pull out most of the soft white part in the middle.
8. Spread half of the giardeniara mixture in the hollow of the bottom piece of bread.
9. Arrange the fillets in a single layer over the vegetables.
10. Top with layers of tomato slices, arugula leaves and provolone slices, if using, and remaining giardeniara mixture.
11. Place the other half of the bread on top, pressing firmly into place.
12. Using a serrated knife, cut the sandwich into wedges and serve.
13. The wedges can be individually wrapped and served at a picnic.