This simple fish dish comes from a new Weight Watchers cookbook that offers lean dinners in 20 minutes or less, and this recipe delivered. It also had the qualities that please my picky crowd at home: a pretty plain piece of fish, in this case, that one could dress up with a sauce or not. The catfish, on sale, also fit our budget.
I was intrigued by the name, of course. The seasoning had a few of the elements of Old Bay Seasoning, including a dash of cayenne, which you can leave out if your kids are sensitive to spices. Serve with steamed edamame.
shopping list
* Mayonnaise: 28 cents
* Lemon juice: 50 cents
* Garlic powder: 5 cents
* Onion powder: 5 cents
* Celery seeds: 12 cents
* Catfish: $4.99
* Cayenne pepper: 10 cents
* Canola oil: 17 cents
* Edamame: $2.50
TOTAL: $8.76*
*Prices are based on the amounts used in the recipe.
chesapeake bay-style catfish
(serves 4)
1/3 cup fat-free mayonnaise
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/4 teaspoon celery seeds
4 ( 1/4 pound) catfish fillets
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons canola oil
Combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic powder, onion powder and celery seeds in a small bowl; set aside.
Sprinkle the catfish fillets with the salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Heat the oil in a large, nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the fillets and cook until just opaque in the center, about 3 minutes on each side.
Place 1 fillet on each of 4 plates and top each serving with a dollop of the lemon mayonnaise.
Recipe and analysis from "Weight Watchers in 20 Minutes," by the editors at Weight Watchers
Per serving (1 catfish fillet and 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon mayonnaise): : 204 calories, 10 grams fat, 2 grams saturated fat, 88 milligrams cholesterol, 666 milligrams sodium, 3 grams carbohydrate, 1 gram fiber, 23 grams protein