Cajun Catfish Courtbouillon

[busterb]

OK. Off top of my & Bud's head.
Catfish is an oily fish. The recipe calls for red fish which isn't. One has scales, other has skin. So I'd cut back on oil.

Brown fish in oil, remove and set aside.

I cooked the fish in deep frier, but I have no idea how to brown fish without flour? Without it coming apart while simmering in this dish.
Used 1/2 cup oil in recipe, which I later blotted out part with paper towels. So cut back.
As for lemon juice, I put 3 Tbs to start, later a big squirt from bottle. The 1 Tbs of hot sauce isn't enough, so just add red pepper or what ever you like and taste. Green onions. Have no idea, just a bunch from freezer, maybe a cup. I only had dried parsley, so about 1/4 cup. Perhaps just leave the garlic at 6 cloves, up to you.
It cannot be rushed on cooking time.