Alligator Recipes

ALLIGATOR FRITTERS

Steps:

• Cook gator in olive oil in a pan until cooked through; chill meat thoroughly.
• Add egg, mustard, scallions, garlic, Garlic Butter, red pepper and baking powder to gator in a mixing bowl. Add the flour a little at a time, adjusting until the mixture is a little looser than that of a meatball (you may not need to add the whole amount). Form into 3-inch ovals.
• Saute in some oil in a skillet until golden, 2 minutes on the first side and 1 minute on the second side.
• Place the butter in a large stand mixer and beat on low speed for 3 minutes. Add chopped garlic, shallots and granulated garlic. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Turn back to low speed and add the wine and lemon juice. Beat on high speed for 2 minutes. Turn to low speed and add the parsley; beat 30 seconds and turn off mixer.
• Mix together mayo, dill, white pepper, cayenne and lemon juice in a bowl.

ALLIGATOR CHILI

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Season the meat with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the granulated garlic. Once the oil shimmers, add the meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices have rendered and the meat has browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, minced garlic and jalapeño. Cook, stirring often, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
• Add the pinto beans, tomato sauce, chicken stock, chili powder and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring the chili to a low boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally.
• When the meat is tender, season to taste with more salt, pepper and granulated garlic, if desired. Serve hot in bowls, with spaghetti or cornbread if you'd like.

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.

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.