Alligator Bread Recipes

ACE CHAMPION

Steps:

• 1 Pat the alligator meat dry. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. 2 Remove the alligator from the dry spices. 3 Heat vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 350°F (176°C) or use a recommended electric deep fryer. 4 In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and eggs. Whisk well. In another bowl add the flour and season with some cajun seasoning as well. 5 Dip the alligator in the flour and shake off. Then add into the buttermilk mixture and shake off. Then back into the flour and shake off. Repeat the process until all is done. 6 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. Start with the larger pieces. 7 Cook the alligator, using tongs to turn occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, making sure the oil does not get too hot. Transfer the alligator to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat the process until all the Alligator is cooked.

ALLIGATOR ALLEMOND

Steps:

• Place the alligator meat into a large bowl and add the granulated garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Toss the meat with the seasoning and allow to marinate for up to 45 minutes in the refrigerator.
• In a medium cast-iron pan over medium heat, add 1 cup of the oil and heat through. Whisk in the flour and cook the roux slowly until it reaches a deep chocolate-brown color, 40 to 45 minutes. Remove the roux from the heat and pour into a separate heatproof container to stop the cooking process. Use immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
• In a cast-iron pot over medium heat, add the remaining 3 tablespoons of oil and heat until hot. Add the onions, garlic and bell peppers to the pot. Cook until the vegetables begin to soften, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes with green chiles, the marinated alligator meat and 1 tablespoon of the roux. Let the meat begin to brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Add 2 cups of water, bring to a simmer and cook until the meat is cooked through and the sauce thickens slightly, about 45 minutes. Serve over rice.

GELSON'S ALLIGATOR PASTRY

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375*. Make the frosting and set aside. Heat the maple syrup and 1/4 cup butter until butter melts. Stir in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. TO MAKE THE DOUGH: Dissolve the yeast in about half the milk; let stand 5 minutes. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, 3 tablespoons melted butter, remaining milk and the yeast mixture. Gradually beat in the 2 1/2 cups flour. Knead to make a smooth dough, about 6 to 8 minutes. Let dough rest for 30 minutes, covered with a clean towel. Roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 16 by 20 inches. Spread 1/4 cup of the softened butter on top. Fold the dough into thirds. Repeat 2 more times, rolling and then spreading with the remaining butter. Allow dough to rest 30 minutes.
• 2. TO MAKE THE FILLING (makes about 2 cups): Blend the 1 cup sugar, almond paste, 3/4 cup butter and honey into a paste. Toss the ground pecans with the 1 tablespoon flour and fold into the paste.
• 3. TO SHAPE AND BAKE: Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Using 1 portion at a time, roll dough as thinly as possible into an 18x12-inch rectangle. Spread the half of the filling on entire surface of each dough rectangle, then fold each lengthwise in thirds. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Decorate tops with pecan halves to resemble an alligator's skin. Let rest 15 minutes.
• 4. Bake alligators for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. While still hot, drizzle tops with the Maple Icing.
• 5. Makes 2 Alligators. Note: I like to roast my pecans sighlty.

ALLIGATOR FINGERS

Steps:

• Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate about 10 minutes.
• Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame.
• Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. Shake to coat. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. Repeat with remaining meat.
• When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot.
• To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar.

TURTLE BREAD

Steps:

• In large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups of the flour, the yeast, sugar and salt; set aside.
• In 1-quart saucepan, heat water, milk and butter over medium heat, stirring occasionally, to 125°F to 130°F; stir into yeast mixture. Stir in egg. Stir in enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle. On lightly floured surface, knead dough about 5 minutes or until smooth and springy. Cover and let rest 10 minutes.
• Lightly grease cookie sheet with shortening or spray with cooking spray. Shape a 2-inch piece of dough into a ball for turtle's head. Shape 4 walnut-size pieces of dough into balls for feet. Shape 1 walnut-size piece of dough into tail. Shape remaining dough into ball for turtle body; place on cookie sheet and flatten slightly. Attach head, feet and tail by placing 1 end of each under edge of body to secure. Press raisins into head for eyes. Cover and let rise in warm place 20 minutes.
• Heat oven to 400°F. Make 1/4-inch-deep circular cut around top edge of body, then make crisscross cuts in center to look like a turtle's shell. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until golden brown.