Catfish Sloppy Joes

Photo: From Fish Without a Doubt, Houghton Mifflin 2008

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These are just as sloppy and delicious as you could hope for.

Recipe from Fish Without a Doubt, Houghton Mifflin 2008.

SERVINGS
8

INGREDIENTS
For the sloppy Joes:
1/2 pound catfish fillet, cut into 1/3 inch dice
coarse salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1 cup diced onion
1 cup diced green bell pepper
2 teaspoons paprika
Barbecue sauce for fish (recipe below)

For barbecue sauce:
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 cup minced onion
2 large garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
coarse salt
1 tablespoon sugar
2 tablespoons water
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
1/2 cup clam juice
1 cup ketchup
1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
Freshly ground white pepper

For serving:
8 hamburger buns
Softened butter
Potato chips

PREPARATION
For barbecue sauce for fish:
1. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the pan is hot, add the oil, onion, garlic, thyme, and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring often, until the onion is softened but not browned, about 5 minutes.

2. Meanwhile, combine the sugar and water in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Cook, swirling the sugar in the skillet, until the sugar dissolves and the caramel is dark amber. Add the vinegar and clam juice and boil until the caramel has dissolved.

3. Add the caramel and clam juice mixture to the onion, along with the ketchup. tabasco, Worcestershire, and white pepper to taste. Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer the sauce for 20 minutes. Let cool. It will keep days in the refrigerator.

For the sloppy Joes:
1. Season the catfish with salt. Let sit on the counter. Heat a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. When the pan's hot, add the oil, onion, and bell pepper. Saute, stirring often, until the onion starts to soften, about 3 minutes. Stir in the paprika and saute, stirring, for 1 minute. Add hte catfish and saute for 1 minute. Stir in the barbecue sauce and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 6 to 7 minutes, until thick.

2. Meanwhile, heat a griddle or cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Butter the buns and toast them on the griddle.

3. Fill the buns with the catfish mixture and pi;e some potato chips on top for crunch. Serve these Joes while they're hot.

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