Food February 19, 2022

How to make cornmeal-fried trout and grits

WATCH: 'GMA' celebrates Southern cuisine in honor of Black History Month

James Beard Award nominated chef couple Greg Collier and his wife Subrina, joined "Good Morning America" to share a staple recipe of the South.

The culinary duo behind the BayHaven Food & Wine Festival shared their recipe for fried trout and grits with all the fixings.

Cornmeal-Fried Trout with Grits, Fresno Chilies and Celery

Grits

1 quart milk

1 quart turkey stock

1/2 pound butter

2 cups grits

2 tablespoons of salt

1 tablespoon black pepper

Directions

Bring milk, turkey stock, salt, pepper and butter to a boil.

Whisk in grits while boiling, then continue to whisk for 10-15 minutes.

Turn heat down and cook for 1 hour. Taste.

Candied Fresnos

1 quart water

1 quart sugar

1/2 pound thinly sliced Fresno chiles

Directions

Bring sugar and water to a boil then add in Fresno and boil til the Fresnos are coated (15 minutes). Strain and reserve liquid.

Place chiles on parchment paper sprayed with nonstick spray.

Dill celery

2 cups white vinegar

2 cups water

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup salt

4 stalks celery, sliced on bias

Directions

Bring vinegar, water, sugar and salt to a boil. Take off heat and add in dry dill. Pour over celery.

Place cup in cooler and let sit for 48 hours

Cornmeal-Fried Trout

4 (6-8 ounce) skin-on trout fillets

All-purpose flour, for dusting

1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon water

2 tablespoons buttermilk

Yellow cornmeal, for dredging

2 tablespoons each (smoked paprika, salt, garlic powder, black pepper)

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled

Vegetable oil, for frying

1/4 cup water

Directions

Put the flour, egg and cornmeal separately, in three shallow bowls. Season the trout fillets with salt and pepper and lightly dust them with flour, tapping off the excess. Dip the fillets in the beaten egg, then dredge them in the seasoned cornmeal.

In a large skillet, melt butter and add oil to the skillet and heat until shimmering. Carefully add the trout fillets and fry over moderate-high heat until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Divide the fillets among 4 plates.