Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
  10 1/2  cups          cornbread mix
   1      tablespoon    garlic powder
   2      tablespoons   dried thyme
   6      whole         catfish fillets -- (3/4- to 1-pound)
   1      cup           buttermilk
   1      tablespoon    salt
   2      teaspoons     black pepper -- ground
   2      teaspoons     red pepper -- ground
                        peanut oil

Preparation:

Combine first 3 ingredients in a shallow dish. Dip fillets in buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off; sprinkle with salt and peppers, and dredge in cornbread mixture. Pour oil to depth of 4 inches into an electric fryer or Dutch oven; heat to 400F Fry fillets, two at a time, 2 to 3 minutes or until they float; drain on paper towels. Serve immediately. Yield: 6 servings