Happy New Year! A Fish Fry and Bear's Resolutions

 We stayed home and fried fish for a mixed pod of our girls, (Jr. had to work), boyfriends, and friends. Y'all should'a been here, 'cause I fried way too much fish, not to mention the abundant salads, southern caviar, shrimp, cheese grits, jalapeno hushpuppies, and other assorted tasties. 

... and of course ...homemade Datil Pepper Sauce.

I was able to send guests home with boxes of fish, etc., so nothing went to waste.
The fish we were munching on was Sheepshead that my pal Denny and I caught off Cedar Key.
Unfileted, they look like the fish in the picture below.

 By the way, the Texas parks department asked for permission to use the photo above in a museum display about Jetty Fishing (sheepies love jetties). I don't know if it made the final cut, since I am on this side of the Gulf of Florida, but I appreciate them asking.

 This was my station.
The thing about fried fish is, you really need to eat it while it's hot, so I had to force my too polite guests to start eating while I was frying.
They gave in pretty easily now that I think about it.

After all, it's not like I couldn't nibble as I fried.

I like a light, crunchy cornmeal coating on my fried fish ... no fluffy beer batters or thick coatings.
Yesterday, I just mixed a commercial seafood breader with some straight cornmeal ... about half and half, and then  tossed in a little salt and black pepper.

The fish went from a cold water bath to the breader mix to the hot oil.

 The beautiful glass above is a home-brewed red ale made by my college roommate Dave. Dave and his wife Tami both retired last week and will now be living in their cozy cypress log home in the woods just a little north of here.

Dave is a brewmaster and a brewing judge, so he knows his stuff. This ale was exquisite.
He's got plans for his own microbrewery and this recipe is a winner. I would tell you what he calls it, but I would have to kill you.
(Just kidding about that kill part, but he has a very clever name for this red, which must remain top secret for now.)



So what about New Year's Resolutions?
I don't do them.

Bear does though.

Actually, he has 7 he would like to share with you.

 1. More deep thinking about life, the universe, and everything.

2. More time spent with his grandmother.
3. More soulful looks upward at his grandmother when she is eating.

4. Continue trying to make contact with the subterrestrial beings that inhabit PFHQ.
5. Limit that subterrestrial contact to sniffing and licking, rather than attempts at consumption.

6. Abstain from drinking goldfish water.
7. Get neutered this summer and barcode chipped.


(Okay, the neuter thing was not his idea ... shhhhh)

Happy Newter Year!