Smothered Catfish - The Local Palate

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 1 cup diced yellow onion
• ½ cup diced celery
• ½ cup diced green bell pepper
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• ¼ cup Cajun spice
• ½ cup tomato paste
• 1 quart seafood stock
• ½ cup dark roux
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 4 ounces crawfish tail meat
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 3 dashes of Tabasco
• 4 (6-ounce) fresh catfish fillets
• 4 tablespoons Cajun spice
• 3 tablespoons neutral oil
• 3-4 cups cooked Carolina Gold rice for serving