Cream Cheese-Stuffed Catfish

Name: Cream Cheese-Stuffed Catfish
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 2 servings.
Ingredients: 4 bacon strips; 1/2 cup soft bread crumbs; 4-1/2 teaspoons cream cheese, softened; 2 teaspoons lemon juice, divided; 1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped onion; 1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped celery; 1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes; 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme; 1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided; 1/8 teaspoon salt; 2 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)

Flaky fish fillets and strips of bacon are wrapped around a rich cream cheese filling, making an entree that's sure to pamper the two of you! "It's become a favorite at my house," says Anneliese Deising of Plymouth, Michigan.

Ingredients

4 bacon strips
1/2 cup soft bread crumbs
4-1/2 teaspoons cream cheese, softened
2 teaspoons lemon juice, divided
1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped onion
1-1/2 teaspoons finely chopped celery
1-1/2 teaspoons dried parsley flakes
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1/4 teaspoon pepper, divided
1/8 teaspoon salt
2 catfish fillets (6 ounces each)

Directions

In a skillet, cook bacon over medium heat until cooked but not crisp. Remove to paper towels; keep warm. In a bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cream cheese, 1-1/2 teaspoons lemon juice, onion, celery, parsley, thyme, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and salt. Sprinkle catfish fillets with remaining lemon juice and pepper. Spread crumb mixture over each fillet; roll from one end. Wrap two strips of bacon around each fillet and secure with toothpicks.
Place in a greased 8-in. square baking dish. Bake at 350° for 25-30 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove toothpicks before serving.