Catfish with Lemon Pasta

Sautéed catfish fillets in a tomato, white wine and basil sauce served over zesty lemon pasta with Parmesan cheese.

Recipe Ingredients:

Catfish:
4 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon dried, crushed
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 (14.5-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 cup dry white wine (or chicken broth)
4 cloves garlic, chopped
3 tablespoons chopped Italian parsley (or 1 tablespoon dried)
3 tablespoons chopped fresh basil (or 1 tablespoon dried, crushed)
1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves, crushed

Lemon Pasta:
8 ounces pasta
1⁄3 cup olive oil
1⁄3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 to 2 teaspoons lemon zest
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped (or 1 tablespoon dried)

Cooking Directions:

1. For Catfish: Season fish with salt and red pepper flakes. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Add fish and sauté rounded side down for 3 minutes; turn, and sauté 3 minutes or until cooked. Transfer fish to a plate and set aside.
2. Add onion to same skillet and add 1 to 2 tablespoons olive oil. Sauté until translucent.
3. Add tomatoes with their juices, wine (or chicken broth), garlic, parsley, basil and oregano. Simmer until sauce is reduced slightly or about 10 minutes.
4. Gently return fish and any juice to tomato mixture to absorb spices.
5. Serve over Lemon Pasta.
6. For Lemon Pasta: Cook pasta in salted water until tender but still firm. Meanwhile, whisk oil, cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest to blend. Drain pasta, reserving 1 cup of cooking liquid. Toss pasta with lemon sauce. If needed, add some of the reserved liquid. Season with salt and pepper.

Makes 4 servings.

Recipe and photograph provided courtesy of The Catfish Institute.