Fried Catfish

INGREDIENTS

3 tablespoons plus 3/4 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
3 tablespoons hot pepper sauce
6 5-7-ounce U.S.-farmed catfish fillets
1 1/2 cups white cornmeal
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
3 cups (about) vegetable oil
Special equipment: A deep-fry thermometer

PREPARATION

Whisk 3 tablespoons salt, hot pepper sauce, and 8 cups hot water in a large bowl until salt dissolves. Chill in freezer until cold, about 30 minutes. Place catfish in brine, cover, and refrigerate for 3 hours.
Whisk cornmeal, next 5 ingredients, and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Attach deep-fry thermometer to the side of a 10" cast-iron skillet or other large heavy skillet. Add oil to come a little less than halfway up side of skillet. Heat over medium heat until thermometer reads 335°F.
Rinse catfish; pat dry. Dredge catfish in cornmeal mixture, shaking off excess. Working with 2 fillets at a time, fry catfish, turning halfway through, until golden brown and crispy, 10-12 minutes per batch. Transfer fish to paper towels to drain.

Cajun-Spiced Turkey

INGREDIENTS

1 12-14-pound turkey, patted dry
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 1/2 cup Cajun Spice Mix
1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped
1 green bell pepper, coarsely chopped
1 medium onion, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup (or more) olive or vegetable oil


PREPARATION

Set a rack inside a large heavy roasting pan. Season turkey lightly inside and out with salt and pepper, then with spice mix, massaging it into the skin. Transfer turkey, breast side down, to prepared pan and refrigerate, uncovered, overnight.

Remove turkey from refrigerator; let stand at room temperature for 1 hour.

Preheat oven to 375°F. Mix celery, pepper, and onion in a medium bowl. Fill turkey cavities with vegetable mixture, scattering any remaining vegetables over bottom of roasting pan. Brush turkey with oil.

Roast turkey, basting occasionally, for 1 hour. Using paper towels, flip turkey. Roast, basting occasionally, until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of thigh registers 165°F, 1-1 1/2 hours longer. Transfer to a platter. Let rest for at least 20 minutes before carving.