Crispy Mustard-Thyme Catfish Nuggets

Ingredients:

• 2 pounds of catfish fillets, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces
• 2 tablespoons of dried thyme leaves
• 1 cup of spicy brown mustard
• 1 quart of vegetable oil for frying
• 2 cups of all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of black pepper
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda

Instructions:

Step 1: Marinate the Catfish

1. Place the catfish pieces in a mixing bowl and sprinkle them with dried thyme leaves.
2. Toss until the catfish is evenly coated with thyme, then mix in the spicy brown mustard using your hands.
3. Cover the bowl and refrigerate the catfish overnight, or for up to 24 hours.

Step 2: Prepare for Frying

• Heat vegetable oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, black pepper, and baking soda.

Step 3: Coat and Fry

1. Dip each catfish piece into the flour mixture, ensuring it’s evenly coated, and shake off any excess flour.
2. Fry the catfish nuggets in batches until they are golden brown and no longer translucent in the center, approximately 3 to 4 minutes per batch.
3. Allow the oil to come back up to temperature between batches.
4. Once fried, drain the nuggets on a paper towel-lined plate to remove excess oil.

Nutrition Information (per serving):

• Calories: 136kcal
• Carbohydrates: 13g
• Protein: 12g
• Fat: 4g
• Saturated Fat: 1g
• Cholesterol: 74mg
• Sodium: 508mg
• Potassium: 261mg
• Fiber: 1g
• Sugar: 1g
• Vitamin A: 170IU
• Vitamin C: 1mg
• Calcium: 14mg
• Iron: 1mg

Enjoy your crispy and flavorful mustard-thyme catfish nuggets!