Recipe for Catfish Florentine....

We had a great group in The Crown today who especially requested Florentine Catfish for their main dish (the hostess had eaten it before, loved it and wanted to share the Florentine with her guests.)  Of course, we were happy to grant her request! 

In talking after lunch, she said she'd love to have the recipe.  She told me she uses our Catfish Allison recipe that's in the Best of the Best from Mississippi Cookbook.  I showed her where the recipe is in my own Classic Catfish Cookbook and then promised to post the recipe on my blog too!   I love making my guests happy, so here's the recipe! 

Florentine Catfish

6 to 8 U.S.Farm-raised Catfish Fillets
3 cups water
1 lemon sliced
10-ounce package frozen, chopped spinach
4 Tablespoons butter
1 clove garlic, minced
3 green onions, finely chopped
4 Tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon salt
3 teaspoons lemon juice
1 cup grated Swiss Cheese, divided

In a large saucepan, bring water and lemon to a slow simmer.  Add fillets and poach gently for about 8 minutes.  Remove fillets and drain.

Thaw spinach.  Place in a kitchen towel and squeeze moisture from the spinach.  Set aside.

Melt butter in saucepan.  Add onions and garlic, cook briefly to soften.  Add flour and stir constantly while roux cooks. Do not brown.  Slowly add milk, stirring until sauce is smooth and thickened.  Add spinach, seasonings, lemon juice and 1/2 cup of the cheese, mixing well.  Sauce may be prepared to this point and refrigerated until needed, 2 - 3 days.

When ready to serve, place cooked catfish fillets in a lightly buttered 9x13-inch baking dish (or individual au gratin dishes.  Cover with sauce and top with remaining cheese. 

Bake at 350 degrees for about 15 minues or until bubbly.  Finish browning under the broiler to lightly toast the cheese.  Serve hot and enjoy every bite.  (You may need some Bayou Beer Bread to sop up all the juices in the dish!)

Comments

[Antoinette]

Thanks so much for the Catfish Florentine recipe!!! It simply is delicious!!
By the way...our group loved the food and shopping at The Crown! I can't wait to entertain another group at your restaurant! Again, thanks!

[Evelyn Roughton]

Antoinette, I'm just thrilled to share my recipe with you! Some of my favorite recipes were given to me by friends! Ya'll were fun to have in The Crown and look forward to another visit! Come again soon! Evelyn