Chili-Lime Fried Catfish with Toasted Sesame Drizzle

Ingredients

• 2 fillets catfish fillets
• 2 tbsp lime juice
• 1 tsp lime zest
• 1 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp chili garlic sauce
• 1/2 tsp ground Sichuan pepper (or black pepper)
• 1/3 cup cornstarch
• 2 tbsp neutral oil (for frying)
• 1 tsp sesame oil
• 1 tbsp toasted sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp green onions, sliced(optional)

Instructions

1. 1

   Prep (15 minutes): Pat catfish dry. In a bowl, mix lime juice, lime zest, soy sauce, chili garlic sauce, and ground Sichuan pepper. Coat catfish with the mixture, then toss with cornstarch until lightly and evenly coated.

2. 2

   Cook (12 minutes): Heat neutral oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Fry catfish in a single layer (work in batches if needed) until golden and cooked through, about 5–6 minutes per side.

3. 3

   Finish: While the fish cooks, stir sesame oil with toasted sesame seeds. Once catfish is done, rest 1 minute, then drizzle with the sesame mixture and top with green onions if using. Serve immediately.