Catfish Po'Boys with Pickle Remoulade

PICKLE REMOULADE:

1. 1 cup mayonnaise
2. 1/4 cup minced celery
3. 1 small shallot, minced
4. 1 garlic clove, minced
5. 2 tablespoons Creole mustard
6. 2 tablespoons sweet pickle relish
7. 2 tablespoons chopped drained capers
8. 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley

PO'BOYS:

1. 1 cup cornmeal
2. 1 cup panko (Japanese bread crumbs), crushed
3. 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
4. 1 teaspoon salt
5. 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
6. 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
7. 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
8. 1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
9. 1/4 teaspoon dried sage
10. 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
11. 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
12. 3 large eggs
13. Eight 5-ounce skinless catfish fillets
14. Vegetable oil, for frying
15. 8 crusty hero rolls, split
16. Shredded romaine, for serving

Directions:

1. In a bowl, combine all of the ingredients.
2. In a pie plate, whisk the cornmeal, panko, 1/2 cup of flour, the salt, cayenne, garlic powder, onion powder, thyme, sage, ginger and cumin. In another pie plate, beat the eggs. Dust the catfish with flour, then dip in the beaten egg; coat in thepanko mixture, pressing the crumbs to help them adhere. Transfer the fish to a baking sheet.
3. In a skillet, heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil. Fry the catfish in 2 batches over moderately high heat, turning once, until the crust is golden and crisp and the fish is cooked through, 4 minutes. Drain the fish on paper towels.
4. Spread the rolls with the remoulade. Top with the fried fish and romaine and serve.

Pickle Remoulade: