Contributed by:
Smoky

Begin with 10 pounds of catfish fillets - this recipe can be "scaled" if desired. If they are frozen, thaw them in the refrigerator, covered with water. So, go get:

    10 pounds of catfish fillets

First Bath:

    2 Cups pickling salt
    1 gal unchlorinated water

In a not-reactive container (glass or plastic), cool bath to 60 deg; then rinse and drop in the fillets. Immerse the fish and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

During that time, prepare a second mixture of:

    1 gal water
    1 Cup Salt
    1/2 Cup lemon juice
    1/2 Cup brown sugar
    1 Tbs minced onion
    1 Tbs crushed garlic
    1 tbs liquid crab boil
    1 tsp Tabasco

Remove fish from the first brine, rinse thoroughly under running water, and place in second brine. Leave for 15 minutes for thin fillets and up to 2 hours for whole fish. Remove and rinse again and hang (using bamboo skewers) in a cool, dark place with good air circulation for about 3 hours. Using a fan will speed up the process. This drying allows a thin glossy sheen to cover the surface, which helps seal in the juices and prevents the oozing of protein to the surface. The surface should be completely dry to the touch. Place the fish on the grill or hand them from the skewers. start with a low temperature, just above 100 deg, for the first couple of hours. Thereafter, build up a heavy dense smoke and allow the temperature to rise to 160 deg. They shoudl be completely cooked in about four more hours or when their internal temperature reaches 140 deg.

Have fun,
Smoky

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