Louisiana Fried Fish

Fresh fish fillets or whole fish
Tabasco sauce
Plain yellow cornmeal
Salt, to taste
Peanut oil
Lemon slices

Wash and clean your catch thoroughly. Drain on paper towels for 15 to 20 minutes. Sprinkle fish heartily with Tabasco. Season cornmeal with salt in a sturdy brown paper bag. Shake fish in the bag of seasoned cornmeal. Shake off loose meal from fish and start heating oil in a heavy, deep pot. When a match dropped in the pot ignites, your grease is ready. (Dropping a match is the secret to the best fried fish — it could also be dangerous). Drop the fish into the hot oil, a few at a time. Fry just until the fish floats to the surface, and drain on brown paper bags. Keep in warm oven until all the fish are fried. Serve with fresh lemon slices and tartar sauce.

Yellow cornmeal prevents overcooking fish while trying to brown it. When fish floats, it is done. After using oil, cool and strain it through a coffee filter in order too cook fish in it several more times.