Iowa Catfish Creole

Ingredients

• 1 lb catfish fillet
• 1/3 cup oil
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 cup celery, sliced
• 1/2 cup shallot, chopped
• 1/2 cup bell pepper, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1 lb tomato, cut small,can
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 2 bay leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon thyme
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar, lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 2 Tabasco sauce, dashes
• 1 rice, hot,cooked

Directions

1. 1

   Cut fillets into 1-in pieces.

2. 2

   Heat oil in large pan.

3. 3

   Add flour, stirring until brown.

4. 4

   Remove from heat and add water slowly, stirring till blended.

5. 5

   Add all ingredients except catfish and rice.

6. 6

   Cover and simmer for 20 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

7. 7

   Remove bay leaves, add catfish and simmer 8- 10 min.

8. 8

   more until fish flakes to the fork.

9. 9

   Serve over rice in soup bowls.

10. 10

    Possibly better to wilt all fresh vegetables before adding to pan.