Fish Court-Bouillon

A Cajun dish of fish fillets cooked in a buttery white sauce served over a scoop of hot rice is what this Fish Court-Bouillon is all about.

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On one of my last visits to Kaplan, I picked up some catfish from my friends, James and Patricia LeDoux, who have a crab and fishing business. They started fishing at White Lake 3 years ago to supplement their income then they went full-time when James was laid off after 35 years of working in the oil field. They are precious people I've come to know and love while attending the same church.

White Lake Wetlands Conservation is located southwest of  Vermilion Parish about seven miles south of Gueydan. The lake is the most southern body of water before the Gulf of Mexico in Louisiana. It's brackish (salt and fresh) water makes for a cleaner tasting seafood. Studies show that the seafood (crabs, fish, shrimp, and frogs) in White Lake are the best tasting and cleanest, other than Lake Pontchartrain, in the United States. These wetlands are also a duck hunter's paradise. The LeDoux's say they are very blessed with good health and the opportunity to be able to fish in such a place and James says, "The boss (Patricia) is not too bad either!"

It was during this same trip to Kaplan that my friend, Tina, helped me rediscover this recipe for Fish Court-Bouillon (pronounce "coo-bee-on"). My Pa Pa Greene had talked me through when preparing it once and to my dismay I didn't write it down. One of those things I told myself I'd do later and never did. I had looked high and low for that same recipe, but the court-bouillons I'd found either called for the fish to be layered with vegetables or to be cooked in a sauce that wasn't white. Nothing like the way Pa Pa had taught me. Then in a conversation about cooking, which isn't unusual for us, I told Tina about my recipe frustration. After I described how I made a white sauce before adding the fish she sat up straight and said, "Well, that's the way Mama taught me to make a court-bouillon!" Funny, we've been friends for years and never made that connection. So I took my delicious White Lake catfish home to Arkansas and figured out this recipe with the help of my friend Tina. 

First, lightly season the fish with some "Slap Ya Mama" seasoning then melt butter in a large heavy skillet.

Add vegetables stirring often without browning them.

Add flour, seasoning, and water.

Cook on low heat for 30 minutes then add the fish and cook for 30 minutes more, covered. Garnish with green onion and serve over cooked rice.

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This is just another way you can enjoy delicious White Lake catfish or your own favorite fish with thanks to my friends back home!

Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier.

Mother Teresa