Set the temperature to 180 degrees. 3. Mix the melted butter with the remaining Cajun seasoning. The health of beef animals is ][imported ][but ][it][does not stack up to] other types of animal consumed in human diets. For this, you need to ensure that it is well washed before boiling. It's really that simple. Not sure where to buy your meat? Wipe off the excess marinade and let the alligator steaks sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. 5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Exotic Meat. The ice will slowly start to remove the skin. Add the Breading/Batter Mix to a shallow bowl. I hope youll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you! 2. in a rolling motion until the fat content of the pork coats the. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. Remove the alligator from the dry spices. Cook Time: 15 minutes. "It's kind of like a grouper cheek, a big piece of meat.". Instructions on how to actually killthe alligator aren't included but even if they were, um, don't try to get alligator meat that way. First prepare your marinade by combining the chopped red chilli, light soy sauce, chopped garlic, grated ginger, cayenne, salt and pepper, and mixing well. 26 Vibrant Cocktail Recipes Made For Spring Yahoo Life, Lentil soup, the recipe you need to prepare a delicious dish Gastrolab | passion for cooking, Yes you can: how to make beer-can chicken recipe The Guardian, Legume flour: 6 tips to learn how to make it and a simple recipe Gastrolab | passion for cooking. 10. Meat tenderizers are made of enzymes or acids that break down the proteins in meat, making it more tender. That isnt to say you wont be able to use it in your gator recipes. And, if you have the time, let it marinate for a while in a flavorful sauce or marinade. You slice that and pound it like veal, and you cannot tell the difference. Donald Buckemeyer grills his alligator sausage at an LSU tailgate, Cochon's Fried Alligator with Chili Garlic Sauce (Photo by Chris Granger for Link Restaurant Group). ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Want to see how its done? Cut off the head and the tail, then gut and scale it. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. I hope youll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you! This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Preheat your pit to 250. While alligator meat is not as common as chicken or beef, it is a delicious and healthy protein choice. All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published. Cooking Spray. Like some of its more land-dwelling counterparts, alligator meat's . For alligator meatballs or tacos, go with ground gator meat. [4] 5. Read more. Boiling involves placing the alligator fillet in a pot and boiling it. In large mixing bowl, combine all of the above ingredients with. Alligators eat what they want, when they want, so they have minimal fat reserves, and their meat is lean. Demand is pushing the wholesale price of alligator meat to $12 to $15 a pound.. [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWej_c8fz2U. Alligator Ribs $35.34 - $308.37. When it comes to eating clean, there are a few things to keep in mind. However, roasting is mostly recommended for large fish. When it is cooked, the inside will be a light pink color. For example, some recipes are cooked on the stove using oil or butter. The fish weighed an astonishing 162 pounds! The ribs, nuggets and wings are a darker meat with a stronger flavor and a texture similar to pork. The rest of the alligator can then be removed from the bone. Spray all sides with Cooking Spray. Preheat the oil to 350 F and fry the alligator pieces in batches for approximately 5 to 7 minutes, or until the nuggets float to the surface and become golden. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. In 2013, I wrote about Archbishop Gregory Aymond's position that alligator counts asseafood position during Lent. We prefer to poach the tenderloins, and let them cool, then shred the meat by hand. Add spices and herbs to stock, if desired. 3. Grilled Cajun Style Gator Tail. Lay the alligator steaks in the pan, giving each steak at least 1/2 inch of space. Never leave a pan of oil or a grill unattended while you're cooking. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; 4. The smaller, younger alligators produce the most tender alligator meat possible, without any use of preservatives or additives. Join Where NOLA Eats, the hub for food and dining coverage in New Orleans. Alligator meat is a popular dish in the southern United States, and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Heat a few tablespoons of oil or oil and butter in a Dutch oven or an oven-safe skillet or pan. You can get frozen alligator meat online. Continue to mix. Alligator Tenderloins are a great addition to a traditional gumbo recipe as well! 32. Don't drop any of the pieces of meat into the oil. Just place your alligator fillets in a baking dish and add some chicken stock. Instructions: Cut the Gator Meat into strips. The best way to know for sure if alligator meat is done is to cut into a piece and take a bite. It will be easier to slice this way, and you will be able to remove the meat from the bone in the center of the alligator. The answer to this question depends on what youre looking for. I cooked it together on the grill to give it a good flavor. 26 Vibrant Cocktail Recipes Made For Spring Yahoo Life, Lentil soup, the recipe you need to prepare a delicious dish Gastrolab | passion for cooking, Yes you can: how to make beer-can chicken recipe The Guardian, Legume flour: 6 tips to learn how to make it and a simple recipe Gastrolab | passion for cooking. 2. Cover, and refrigerate about 10 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. For a meat that is supposed to taste a lot like chicken, it's not always cheap, but it sure is popular. 2023 Acadia Crawfish. When cooking alligator, you should consider using a grill pan or grill rack, but dont use a direct flame. Directions. Sonnier has . Put 1 pound (0.45 kg) of alligator meat into a bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. The most popular and best portion of the gator is the tenderloin, which is found in the alligators tail. 6. For one thing, the cooking temperature needed to get the best results is significantly higher than that for other types of fish. Place on a Crisper Tray and put it on the top rack of the Power Air Fryer Oven Elite. This is commonly done in small restaurants. Finally, cook your alligator meat over a low heat. Add the eggs and water to a separate shallow bowl. After all, it wouldnt be considered Cajun without a kick. Quick and easy way to fix up gator bites for your friends. Pour the brine solution (recipe below) over the gator. However, some have argued that alligator meat may not be as healthy as advertised. Thread marinated alligator cubes onto skewers, alternating with vegetable or fruit cubes. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Blackened Louisiana Alligator Slider. The cornstarch in the buttermilk batter makes the coating crispy. Barkemeyer said he sells 20,000 to 25,000 pounds of the sausage a year, and he ships it around the country. Instructions. The legs, which chef Greg Sonnier smokes at Kingfish as gator "wings" with a tomato gastrique, are red meat and not as tender, Pearce said. There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. Make sure there's room for the meat to float around while they cook. If using a pan or skillet, cover it with a piece of foil a few inches larger and place the lid or a lid close to its size on top of the foil. June 16, 2017 12:52 pm Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. 4. This can be done with a knife, or by placing the alligator in a large bowl of ice. Flip the filets and cook for an additional 5 minutes or until the steak reaches your desired doneness. Gotta agree 110% with the EMAN on this one - aligator sauce piquant is one of my favorites! This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. However, the health of meat animals has not been taken into account when producers have made this decision. For example, youll need to be careful about how you cook alligator fillets, so that they dont dry out too much and their texture remains moist. Next, toss the alligator pieces with olive oil and seasoning, then set aside at room temperature for 40 minutes. Alligator sausage can be prepared by making a kind of cured sausage that combines alligator and pork. And of course, it always tastes great pan-seared or fried to a golden crisp! Next, layer the gator with bacon covering all parts with bacon except for the head. One of the alligators favorite prey items is the American beaver. This makes the alligator fillet tender, and the process of marinating makes the alligator fillet savory and flavorsome. Gar Lobster. Growing up in Louisiana, Ace found a passion for southern and creole cooking at a young age, but soon found himself quite successful on the football field. When the oil is ready, add the alligator pieces to the skillet in batches, shaking off any excess flour before adding them to the oil and being careful not to overcrowd the skillet. A lot of alligator recipes calls for marinades, but that's not really necessary for tender alligator tail meat. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. ", At the restaurant, Sonnier cooks Louisiana alligator bone-in legs, brand name Country Boy Gator, labeled a Certified Cajun product and subtitled "Cajun Swamp Chicken.". How do you know when alligator is done cooking. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). This will help ensure that it cooks through evenly and doesnt become tough or rubbery. Sear the alligator on both sides until golden brown, just like a regular steak. It's similar to chicken, but it has that little seafood taste component. The process of brining involves submerging the alligator in a solution of saltwater, sugar, and spices. If it is tough or chewy, it is not done. The cut determines the cooking method. Place the skewers directly onto grill and grill for 2 minutes per side. In a cooking pot add oil and lightly brown the alligator meat. boneless alligator, fresh or frozen. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. first and foremost, alligator meat has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which are important for overall health. Add the alligator tails to the egg mixture and toss to coat. There are a few different ways to cook alligator meat, but the most common way is to fry it. Then I put a tray on the grill. (function(d, s, id) { The alligator "wings" at Kingfish are baked in fat to tenderize them, then drained well, refrigerated and chilled. Cover the alligator steaks loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for at least 10 minutes before you serve them. I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. However, you will come up with lots of ideas for using the extra sauce (and of course, you can always eat it with a spoon right out of the bowl). This will make for a better meal. One way to get the gamey taste out of alligator me is to cook it slowly in a pot over medium heat. The rest of the alligator can then be removed from the bone. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. packs (approximately 40 lbs.) When the coal is white-hot, place the Alligator gar fillets on the oiled grill. Hold the skin back with your non-dominant hand. 3. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the alligator until it is golden brown and crispy. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of potatoes. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Alligator gar can also be barbecued or roasted - prepare some fillets and get them to cook. Turn off the heat and let it sit for as long as you boiled it. This is what stores are for. vacume sealed packs of white meat, marinated and ready to grill. Season with salt as soon as it comes out of the oil. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. You can also cook alligator steaks on the grill. In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and eggs. 1. After the gator has been on the smoker for about 3 hours, add the glaze. This can be done by placing it in a large pot of water and boiling it for about an hour. . Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. When you think of alligator fillet, you may think that its tough and chewy. Until it's fried, alligator gets good grades for nutrition, especially in the protein department. Avoid overcrowding the oil with pieces of meat. Watch on. When the batter turns a golden brown and the meat floats to the top of the oil, the alligator is cooked thoroughly! Try to leave a little gap of space between the meat and the vegetables to allow them to cook evenly over the grill. Heat the barbecue to high hotness and barbecue kabobs for 6 to 8 minutes, turning once. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. Put the drained alligator into the large mixing bowl with the herbs and 1/4 cup of the chili garlic sauce. Place the cleaned and dressed 30lb whole gator in an empty cooler. Alligator fillet is quite similar to chicken fillet in taste and appearance. When it is cooked, the alligator will be firm to the touch. His company also processes the occasional nuisance gator. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over high heat. I simmer carp in a mixture of milk and white wine until it is barely cooked and then separate the meat from the bones. As tough as alligators are in the wild, it comes as no surprise they're just as tough in the kitchen. Don't miss a story! There are many different ways to cook, and there are many different types of food that you can cook. 11. Start with the larger pieces. Its important to cook alligator fillet at a low temperature, to avoid overcooking the meat and drying it out. For extra crispy nuggets, dip them back into the buttermilk and then dredge in breadcrumbs again. Bring the liquid to a boil and thicken it with roux or a cornstarch slurry and simmer for about 10 minutes. The most popular way to enjoy catfish is as pan-fried and breaded fillets. Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. 4. "Turtle meat is more similar to beef or venison. If you don't want to buy fish batter, you can. It measured 7.5 feet long with a 35.5-inch girth. I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. This will help to make the flavors more potent and keep the meat moist while it cooks on the grill. Alligator fleas lemon juice capers butter kumquat olive oil white wine chicken broth. It is similar to veal because of its tenderness. Award winning Chef Ace Champions passion for cooking began years before his culinary career. It requires high amounts of fat, so it needs to be cooked well. Ever wondered how alligator steaks are made? Others may choose to eat chicken or turkey because they are considered healthier options. Here's how to cook alligator fillets: 1. In Florida, its legal to catch and eat an alligator. Second, the alligator meat should be very moist and tender. Dredge each nugget across the breadcrumbs to coat. So delicious! Oil extracts the essential oils from fresh herbs and peppers, while buttermilk doesn't. Make a sauce using the stock and drippings in the pan while the steaks rest, if desired. Portioned into steaks or fillets, alligator tails are definitely considered a delicacy, and can be . It takes around 10 minutes for the oil to heat to an appropriate level for frying, so be patient. Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame. Our alligator meat is processed from alligators that are less than six feet long and between two-three years old. You could classify it as a lighter meat. the exception of the casing. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well. This will give them a nice and zesty flavor. Some Cajun cooks like to keep it simple, and just pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes with a little garlic butter and a smidge of lemon to let the taste and textures speak for themselves. Still other recipes are cooked using a microwave. Nuisance alligator removal permits spike in St. Lucie after 85-year-old woman dies. Stir everything gently so you do not knock off the crispy exterior. "The effect is a smoky taste outside and inside is true alligator," Sonnier said. Place the alligator fillets onto a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes or until they reach an evenly golden color. Heat vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 350F (176C) or use a recommended electric deep fryer. Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. The tail also has white meat in it that isnt a part of the tenderloin. Remove the alligator from the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid. Unlike beef, though, which you can generally categorize as tender or tough, alligator meat has two levels of tenderness: tough and tougher. There are a few key things to look for when cooking alligator meat. Welcome back to our Channel! Tough Step 1. Im Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. cornstarch, egg whites, alligator fillets, salt and 2 more. I've eaten my share of the alligator dishes at Jazz Fest. You can cook using your oven, stove, grill or microwave. Rub the spice mixture onto the alligator fillets. Allow the frozen alligator to thaw for about a day before putting it in a small ice cooler and covering it with enough water to submerge the gator. Add the skewers to the grill and cook them for about 5 minutes per side. It's almost impossible to tell if the oil is hot enough just by looking at it. 8. Season the alligatorfillets with salt and pepper before cooking them. It can be cooked by different techniques including grilling, deep frying or baking. If you cant afford the tenderloin, this cut is your next best bet. Whisk well. Marinate the steaks in a buttermilk-based marinade for 2 to 3 hours. If there's still some pink in the middle, put the kabobs back on the grill for 1 minute before serving them. If you want to guarantee your alligator will be the best, try this recipe. Bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 30-40 minutes. 2. Add alligator cubes; stir to coat well. It is the most delicate part of the meat from the animal. Slice potatoes (do not peel) and make a layer of them on the bottom of the dish. So, if you want to cook alligator fillet for dinner, you can try my recipe. First, the alligator meat should be a deep red color. All Rights Reserved. Putting the hood down will infuse a smoky taste into the kabobs, while leaving the hood up will let the flavor of the marinade come through. Please do not run out into the swamp and try to cut yourself off some alligator tail meat. Microwave half a cup of butter for 30 seconds. Toss the meat with the seasoning and allow to marinate for up to 45 . Season it immediately with salt and pepper. 'http':'https';if(!d.getElementById(id)){js=d.createElement(s);js.id=id;js.src=p+'://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js';fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js,fjs);}}(document, 'script', 'twitter-wjs'); A tasty recipe for Fried Alligator, cajun-style! Learn more Alligator meat is a popular dish in the southern part of the United States, and it's fairly easy to cook at home. With a firm belief that anyone can be a great cook and a focus on the mental and emotional aspects of cooking, Chef Champion brings a unique perspective to the kitchen. The flesh should flake when gently pressed. The skin should be removed first and discarded.