This is a gentle ribbing on some friends at Erin’s Elderberries who like sushi as long as it’s cooked. This is also for people who don’t like fish unless it’s fried or blackened. God love ya. It’s food, y’all do like but presented in a sushi format. We have a hush puppy replacing the rice. (Sushi translated means with rice.) Then no raw fish but blackened catfish. I replaced the seaweed (nori) with collard greens. Lastly, replacing the yum yum dipping sauce with Alabama white BBQ sauce. (Sorry Erin, but I used horseradish.) I hope we are still friends. Two Alabama natives gave it a thumbs up. I hope you like it.

Hush puppies:
1 cup corn meal
3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon Poppi’s chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese
3/4 cup buttermilk
1 large egg, beaten
1 teaspoon hot sauce
Fish:
2 catfish fillets
1 tablespoon Poppi’s chili powder
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 tablespoon flour
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/4 cup oil for cooking
Wrapper:
8 collard green leaves, stems removed
2 ounces bacon, diced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
Alabama white bbq sauce:
1 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon horseradish (none if want)
1 tablespoon black pepper
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt

In a large pot over medium heat, add bacon and cook until crispy.

Reduce heat to medium low.

Fill same pot 1/2 full with water; add vinegar and pepper flakes.

Add collards and cook for 3 hours; add water if needed.

In a bowl mix mayonnaise, white vinegar, horseradish, salt, pepper, lemon juice, and Worcestershire. Refrigerate for 2 hours.

In a bowl add flour, corn meal, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.

Mix garlic powder, paprika, and chili powder.

Mix spices with flour.

Mix beaten egg, buttermilk, and hot sauce.

Mix buttermilk mixture to flour mixture. Combine.

Heat air fryer to 375 and add 2” x 1” dollops to air fryer; spray with cooking spray and cook for 12 -16 minutes or until golden brown and 200 degrees.

In a bowl add chili powder, Old Bay, black pepper, and flour.

Dredge catfish in flour mixture to coat.

Place oil in a frying pan on medium heat.

Cook catfish for 5 minutes per side.

Assembly:
Hush puppy
Fish
Wrap in collards
Top with Alabama white sauce