How to smoke Catfish (Nigerian Smoked Catfish recipe) – Today I’m going to be teaching you the recipe for how to Smoke, dry or grill Nigerian Catfish like a Boss.
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I’ll also be revealing the exact steps to clean the Catfish as well as how to package and process it in case you’re thinking about starting a Catfish business in Nigeria.
Let’s go!
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About the Nigerian Smoked Catfish recipe
Source: cheflolaskitchen.com
Locally called “Panla” or “Kpanla”, Smoked Catfish is a recipe that has made it’s way into the stews and soups of many Nigerian homes and Nigerian food Timetables…literally.
The whole point of smoking or grilling or drying the Catfish originally was to simply drain it of moisture so it can be preserved.
However, down the line, people began to see it as just another way to enjoy their Catfish and Smoked it eitherway not caring for preservation purposes.
Personally, I’m a fan of anything Fish. There’s a certain flavour they just add to a food that sometimes is unmatched by Beef or Chicken and that’s the truth.
But one thing I know is this: although I enjoy Fishes like Titus when they are fried, I must admit, I prefer a good old Smoked Catfish any day, anytime.
And I’m not talking about just when I cook. I occasionally add a Grilled Catfish or two with my peppered Ponmo combo.
Ingredients you’ll need
- 4 Pcs of Fresh Catfish
- Palm Oil
- Salt to taste
Equipment for how to smoke Catfish
- Skewers or any stick you can use
- A Grill
Directions for how to clean & Smoke Catfish
Anyway, before I show you exactly how to Smoke Catfish like a real Boss, there are a few initial preparations you have to get out of the way first of all.
How to clean catfish for smoking (Smoked Catfish processing)
Sad but true, I’m not sure I’ve ever eaten this delicacy outside without realizing that the Fish was not cleaned out well enough.
If you really think about it, it’s either those selling it don’t know how to clean Catfish (very unlikely ?) or they are just plain lazy (more like it ?).
If you’re lucky, you can get your Catfish cleaned at your local Fish vendor who will do it for you for free or for a small fee.
If you’re unlucky, then this little tutorial on how to clean Catfish before it is Grilled will come in handy:
Step 1: Put the fresh Catfish inside water.
Step 2: Cut Lemon in two and dab the cut side in salt. Now rub it all over the fish while also squeezing some Lemon juice in the fish.
Step 3: Rinse the fish well. That’s that for that!
Now let’s head over to the smoking proper. Follow these steps:
ALSO READ: Peppered Kpomo Recipe: How To Make Peppered Ponmo
How to smoke Catfish
Step 1: Prepare your grill by adding Charcoal. Light it up and keep it at about 250F.
Step 2: While this is underway, prepare your Catfish by cleaning out the insides. Make sure you don’t let it break.
Step 3: Rub some salt in and outside the fish.
Step 4: To get that Round Catfish look, simple but carefully fold the fish into a circle and pass a Skewer through the mouth.
Step 5: Now, set the Catfish on the grill & brush some light coating of palm oil on it.
Leave it for about 6 hours while checking it and turning it over every 2 hours until it dries.
And that’s how to Smoke, grill or dry Catfish!
On a more serious note though, who wants to wait 6 hours to dry fish when you can just go to your nearest market and buy??
But hey if you like it, who am I to stop you? ?.
ALSO READ: Asun Recipe (Peppered & Spicy Goat Meat Chops)
Smoked Catfish business in Nigeria
Nevertheless, if you’re more concerned with selling than eating, and you want to know how to start a smoked Catfish business in Nigeria, here are a few tips for you:
Tip 1: Learn how to smoke Catfish
Before you start any business, you certainly need to know how to do what you say you know how to do, correct?
So therefore you need to learn the Art of Smoked Catfish drying.
This recipe article should be more than sufficient to get you started.
Tip 2: Get your Equipment
I mentioned a few equipment above that is needed to dry Catfish.
If you’re serious about starting a Smoked Catfish business in Nigeria, then you need to acquire these tools of the trade.
The 3 major tools are your Skewers for impaling the fish, your Grill and bags of Charcoal.
Tip 3: Secure your space
Once you’ve got all this taken care of, next stop is to secure a space or a platform through which you will sell your wares.
Thankfully, we live in a digital world so you don’t have to be limited to getting a space at your local market.
Your new space can be your Instagram page while you make deliveries to customers.
Tip 4: Know how to sell
Learn how to sell effectively and the difference channels you can use to get customers to buy your smoked Catfish.
RELATED: Chicken Suya Recipe: How To Make Chicken Suya At Home Easily
Smoked Catfish packaging
Except you plan to simply sit in a local market and display your smoked Catfish openly with the possibility of flies occasionally perching on it, fact is you need to know how you’re going to package your goods.
If you want to go about it with class and professionalism, I suggest you package your dried Catfish in Sealed transparent airtight ziplock or cellophane bags.
Now your turn!
Did you try this recipe? How did it go? What challenges or successes did you have? Let me hear it all in the comments section below.
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STAY HUNGRY: Read more delicious Meat Recipes on Richeelicious.
How To Smoke Catfish
Equipment
- Grill
- Skewers
- Charcoal
Ingredients
- 4 Pcs of Fresh Catfish
- Palm Oil
- Salt
Instructions
How to clean catfish for smoking (Smoked Catfish processing)
- Put the fresh Catfish inside water.
- Cut Lemon in two and dab the cut side in salt. Now rub it all over the fish while also squeezing some Lemon juice in the fish.
- Rinse the fish well
How to smoke Catfish
- Prepare your grill by adding Charcoal. Light it up and keep it at about 250F.
- While this is underway, prepare your Catfish by cleaning out the insides. Make sure you don't let it break.
- Rub some salt in and outside the fish.
- To get that Round Catfish look, simple but carefully fold the fish into a circle and pass a Skewer through the mouth.
- Now, set the Catfish on the grill & brush some light coating of palm oil on it. Leave it for about 6 hours while checking it and turning it over every 2 hours until it dries.
Video
Notes
- Remember to keep the Grill in low heat at all times. Smoking Catfish requires more smoke than fire least you burn it.
- Endeavour to get your fish straight from water and as fresh as possible.
Waiting for 6 hrs just to smoke Catfish is not funny at all.