Cajun and Creole Recipes
Catfish Bienville
Catfish Bienville is seared catfish fillets smothered in a flavorful, creamy Parmesan sauce. This dish was named after Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville, an early governor and the founder of New Orleans.
Ingredients
- 6 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets
- 1/2 cup butter, divided
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 4 slices bacon, diced
- 1 medium onion, diced
- 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 rib celery, diced
- 1 1/2 cups chopped mushrooms
- 1/2 pound shrimp
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1/2 cup Parmesan
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon sherry (optional)
- Fresh-cut parsley for garnish
Instructions
- Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a small bowl in microwave. Generously coat each fillet with salt and pepper, then brush with melted butter.
- Add seasoned fillets, presentation side down, to a very hot cast iron skillet, and sear to get a nice crust, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
- Carefully turn and sear other side, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Place a large skillet over medium heat. Cook bacon until crispy. Remove bacon from pan; add remaining butter.
- Add onions and garlic and cook for 3 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add bell pepper, celery and mushrooms; cook an additional 3 minutes.
- Add shrimp and cook for 3 minutes.
- Dust shrimp mixture with flour and stir to coat evenly; continue to cook for 2 minutes.
- Stir in heavy cream and chicken stock; cook until sauce thickens.
- Add Parmesan cheese and stir to combine. Add cayenne pepper and season with salt, pepper and sherry to taste.
- Spoon sauce over cooked fillets, and garnish with parsley if desired.
Attribution
Recipe and photo used with permission from:
The Catfish Institute