Ingredients

• ½ cup buttermilk
• ½ cup water
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pound catfish fillets, cut in strips
• 1 ½ cups fine cornmeal
• ½ cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon seafood seasoning, such as Old Bay™
• 1 quart vegetable oil for deep frying

Mix buttermilk, water, salt, and pepper in a small bowl. Pour mixture into a flat pan large enough to hold fillets. Arrange fillets in a single layer in the pan, turning to coat each side. Set aside to marinate. Combine cornmeal, flour, and seafood seasoning in a 2-gallon resealable plastic bag. Add fillets to the bag, a few at a time, and tumble gently until evenly coated. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 365 degrees F (185 degrees C). Fry fillets in hot oil until crisp and golden brown, about 3 minutes. Work in batches to avoid overcrowding, so fillets have room to brown properly. Drain on paper towels.