Battery Fried Fish With Peanut Sauce and Stuffed Okra

• 1 1/2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 tablespoon bacon fat
• 1 ounce raw shelled peanuts, blanched 10 seconds in boiling water to remove skins
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1/4 cup chopped celery
• 2 tablespoons instant flour (Wondra)
• 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded and chopped
• 3 medium cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 1/2 cups fish stock (or half water and half chicken stock)
• 2 2-inch sprigs fresh thyme
• 2 2-inch sprigs fresh tarragon
• 18 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 12 to 24 drops Tabasco (optional)
• 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded and finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 1 tablespoon very finely chopped hot green or jalapeno pepper
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup finely chopped scallions
• 24 fresh okra pods, about 2 1/2 inches long (about 1/2 pound)
• 24 thin strips fresh hot green or jalapeno pepper
• 3 ounces sharp white Cheddar cheese, cut into 24 strips, 1 1/4 by 1/4 by 1/4 inch each
• 8 tablespoons flour
• 10 tablespoons cold water
• 1 tablespoon salt
• Flour for dusting
• Peanut oil for frying
• 1/2 cup instant flour
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 6-ounce trimmed, skinless fillets of catfish, red snapper or striped bass
• Peanut oil for frying

1. Heat peanut oil and bacon fat in a medium saucepan.
2. Add blanched peanuts and cook gently over medium low heat, stirring peanuts frequently until they are a deep golden brown.
3. Add chopped onion and celery, and saute 5 to 8 minutes over low heat.
4. Add flour and continue cooking until flour and vegetables are golden brown.
5. Add tomato, garlic, stock, thyme, tarragon, pepper flakes and sugar.
6. Simmer over medium-low heat for 20 minutes.
7. Remove herb sprigs and discard.
8. Puree sauce until smooth.
9. Strain through a sieve, rubbing solids through.
10. Taste for salt and add Tabasco, if desired.

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Taken from cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/11120 (may not work)