Catfish BLT with Lemon Aïoli

Recipe Ingredients:

• 4 U.S. Farm-Raised Catfish Fillets
• ¾ cup yellow cornmeal
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder
• Vegetable oil
• 4 sandwich rolls
• Butter or margarine
• 12 slices smoked bacon, cooked
• Sliced tomato
• Baby spinach leaves

LEMON AïOLI

• ½ cup mayonnaise
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon chives, chopped
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon lemon zest
• Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
  

Directions:

LEMON AïOLI

1. IN A MEDIUM BOWL, mix all ingredients until well blended.

1. COMBINE cornmeal, flour, salt, cayenne pepper and garlic powder.
2. COAT catfish with cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess.
3. Fill a large, heavy skillet half full with vegetable oil.
4. Heat to 350° F.ADD catfish in single layer and fry until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes, depending on size.
5. REMOVE and drain on paper towels.
6. SPREAD butter on each side of rolls, and lightly brown in a large skillet.
7. SMEAR toasted bread with Lemon Aïoli.
8. Layer tomatoes, spinach, bacon and catfish on bread.