Catfish in Spicy Tomato Sauce

I made several changes, so I did not rate the menu. This was very good, and I will make it again. Changes: Spiced and floured catfish, lightly browned and set aside (3 min each side). Sauted 1 chopped onion and 2 stalks of celery until soft. Then added garlic and spices, then tomato. I like spicy, but thought this was a too hot for a light fish, so I added sour cream to cool it down. The sour cream added a creamy touch to the sauce and toned down the cayenne. It still had some kick which was very nice. Next time I will try the recipe without the cinnamon.

• davidbcannon

• Pleasanton, CA

• 4/4/2013

This is an extremely healthy way of eating fish. The sauce has tons of flavour. It gained rave reviews.I usually pan fry catfish.Really enjoyed the fish. Will always use this recipe.

• Anonymous

• manitoulin , ontario, ca

• 3/7/2013

This sauce is so versatile and has received rave reviews each time I've made it. The first time I made it, I only used cumin seeds and not any of the other spices because of other things I was making with it. It was a little too salty and sweet for my taste though others really enjoyed it and asked for the recipe. The next time I reduced the salt and the sugar by 1/4 tsp each. I also used the sauce to roast chicken with potatoes and it turned out really well.

• rachel926

• Brooklyn, NY

• 3/11/2012

The people who are saying this is a spicy dish must have extremely sensitive palates, it is NOT spicy. The seasoning is very subtle. I stuck to the recipe exactly except for substituting nutmeg for allspice. The fish needed more time in the oven, about 15 minutes. We both loved it.

• binkbonk

• 7/30/2011

Sooooo Gooood!!! So quick & easy to make & so exotic & interesting. I have an oven proof saute pan that goes from stove top to oven so I use one pan for the whole recipe! What a creative way to use 'catfish' this is! I usually make Emerils batter fried catfish but now this recipe here is now another favorite of ours {Hubby loved it too}! I will make it often! Catfish is so affordable as well. In my oven it took the whole 12 min. to bake the fish through, don't overcook it catfish doesn't take long at all. I don't know why they catagorized this as 'American' cuisine, because it is clearly more 'Indian' than anything else in my opinion. I cook & love Indian food and this recipe is very much like it. In true indian cuisine 'fresh' ginger would be used, and 'Ghee' instead of olive oil, & probably no sugar would be added. And it would be topped with 'celantro' not parsley. A Keeper!!!

• sandart

• Wallington, NJ

• 1/11/2011

Great basic recipe. I've made it several times,always with a twist. Tonight I added onions and sliced turkey smoked sausage to the tomato sofrito. I decided against the cayenne and added 1/2 tsp of cajun fish rub, basil, sazon, and lemon pepper. I decided against the parsley and served it with fresh lemon-lime slices, a side of fresh spinach salad and a mango sorbet. DELISH!!

• Anonymous

• Chicago, IL

• 9/18/2010

Significant other bought large quantities of catfish for unknown reason. Enter this recipe. Not at all what I expected, sort of reminded me of North African cuisine (sweet, lots of spices) but very good. Didn't think it was too hot - thought it needed more heat. Making it again tonight.

• Anonymous

• Wilmington, DE

• 9/2/2009

This was fabulous! I have made this twice now - once exactly as written (and we loved it) and the second time adding thawed okra to the dish. A keeper.

• Anonymous

• Boston, MA

• 8/30/2009

I made the full recipe of sauce, but used about 2/3 the amount of fish. I doubled the amount of spices, and then put even more in to taste. Put in three garlic cloves; this dish could have used more. It would have been really bland if I'd made the recipe as written. Once I got enough of the spices in, I liked the sauce. The fish was just eh, though. If I make this again (and I probably will, because I did enjoy the tomato sauce), I will probably bread and brown the fish before putting it in the oven. I served it with noodles and a side of broccoli sauteed with breadcrumbs. Yum.

• mh2t

• Northern Virginia

• 6/4/2009

Great, healthy mid- week recipe. I also used fresh tomatoes (about 3 big ones) and added more spices (particularly the cinnamon) and chick peas. Served over couscous. Perfect meal and save some for the next day. Leftovers are quite tasty!

• cipindc

• DC

• 9/9/2008

I made this on a Weeknight for myself and my roommate. I did not have all ingredients so I substituted whole tomatoes for puree and diced some tomatoes. My roommate LOVED it! I saved some and gave to my boyfriend the next ( he does not like the taste of catfish) and he absolutely enjoyed this dish. Definitely a keeper. I really liked the taste and may try it with another fish. Very good recipe

• emma246

• Philadelphia,PA

• 7/17/2008

很美味的和非常容易。我用切碎的新鲜番茄酱oes and tomato sauce (I didn't have canned whole on hand) and it worked fine. Since I had twice the catfish I doubled the recipe. Also made these substitutions/additions: chipotle & chili powder for cayenne, extra ginger (heaping measure), dusting of paprika prior to baking. I also seasoned the catfish with a dusting of Old Bay (so a salt reduction was in order) and smoked szechuan pepper (Penzeys has this with salt therefore additional reduction in salt required). The great thing about this recipe is that you can adjust the salt while making the sauce. It is quick easy, tasty & flexible. Everything a weeknight meal should be!

• ABB_Max

• Mpls, MN

• 4/30/2008

I have made this recipe many times, often with other fish. For guests who claim they don't like spicy food, I reduce the cayenne some. I also often add 1/4 tsp. smoked paprika, to good effect. Simple and delicious.

• larkin4lunch

• New York, NY

• 4/19/2008

I used fresh ginger instead of ground ginger, started the pan at a low heat (thanks for the warning from Experimentor from Philadelphia), and I added 3 times as much sugar (I think it may depend on the type of sauce you use, and your preference, but I adjusted it to my taste). Oh, I also sprinkled some grated cheese on the fish just before I served, and by the time it got to the table, the cheese had melted nicely... It turned out amazingly!! The sauce is really the star here!! Definitely a keeper!! Quick, simple and Yummo!!

• siumun

• Toronto, Ontario

• 3/17/2008

Simple and delicious. For two catfish filets, we made the recipe as written but reduced the tomatoes to a 14 oz. can of diced. No blender required and the spice was just right. Served with Lime Scented Rice (also from this site) using basmati. My husband doesn't even like fish but he loved this dish. This is a great and super easy weeknight meal!

• Anonymous

• Leesburg, Virginia

• 8/13/2007