Next, toss the alligator pieces with olive oil and seasoning, then set aside at room temperature for 40 minutes. First prepare your marinade by combining the chopped red chilli, light soy sauce, chopped garlic, grated ginger, cayenne, salt and pepper, and mixing well. in a rolling motion until the fat content of the pork coats the. In particular, you can cook using meat, vegetables, fruit, grains, and more. It's not cheap: Each bag was $14.99. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. "It's kind of like a grouper cheek, a big piece of meat.". Alligator Sauce Piquante Over Creamy Stone Ground Grits. Test the alligator by cutting into it with a knife and see if its easily breaking down. A curious wooden structure tucked away in a slender courtyard off the dining room ofKingfish Kitchen & Cocktails in the French Quarter se, The tail, Pearce explained, "has four cylindrical tubes of muscle, four lobes, like tuna. Join Where NOLA Eats, the hub for food and dining coverage in New Orleans. A lot of alligator recipes calls for marinades, but that's not really necessary for tender alligator tail meat. 4. The alligator is a large, herbivorous alligator that can reach up to 6 feet in length and weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds. 8. 1 Pat the alligator meat dry. You can also cook using boiling water, a microwave or an infrared oven. Alligator is sold in the market as a whole or as a fillet. That's the tenderloin. It can be cooked by different techniques including grilling, deep frying or baking. The process of brining involves submerging the alligator in a solution of saltwater, sugar, and spices. Pour lemon juice over filets. For a meat that is supposed to taste a lot like chicken, it's not always cheap, but it sure is popular. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. For example, some recipes are cooked on the stove using oil or butter. When it comes to eating clean, there are a few things to keep in mind. Category: dinner. What part of the animal is this? Place the fillets on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. But I cooked it the first time recentlyin sauce picante for our "In Judy's Kitchen" video series. use plenty of salt and pepper to season the meat as needed. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); There are many different ways to cook an alligator, but the most popular is to fry it. Cover the bowl, then refrigerate for 15 minutes. The most popular way to enjoy catfish is as pan-fried and breaded fillets. Please do not run out into the swamp and try to cut yourself off some alligator tail meat. Grilling and frying are some of the most popular ways to cook alligator, and both methods are perfect for an aspiring chef. How do you know when alligator meat is done? Combine the orange juice, honey, bourbon and ginger to make a glaze. That fish, caught in the Tensaw River, weighed a little over 151 pounds. Unless you grow alligators in your own neck of the swamp, we recommend that you get them the way most people do frozen in filets or pieces. He shared the recipe for his favorite way to cook his alligator sausage indoors, which can be a main or side dish, for brunch or dinner or pot lucks. Unlike Dutch ovens, most skillet and pans don't have lids or have lids that don't fit tight enough to seal well; foil helps keep moist heat in the pan. This is because it has a light flavour, mild and easy on the tongue. Whole Skinned Alligator Tail (Boneless) $29.99 - $48.98. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. Then I pan sear each side of the marinated alligator fillets for three minutes per side. I'm not a big fry person. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Ive been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and Ive loved every minute of it! Cook the alligator for about 15 to 20 minutes after you sear it if you're cooking a thin steak, and 25 to 30 minutes after you sear it if you're cooking a thick steak. Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu. Season with salt as soon as it comes out of the oil. 4. Although a grilling tray is preferable, a cookie sheet works too. If its not, then its likely still in its first stage of cooking. 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. the exception of the casing. Finally, ensure that your food choices are organic whenever possible. Marinate the steaks in a buttermilk-based marinade for 2 to 3 hours. Cut alligator into 1-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper. Here are a few tips on how to cook alligator fillets: 1. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; Simply remove them, and eat them immediately. [4] 5. Add the eggs and water to a separate shallow bowl. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Kung . Cut off the head and the tail, then gut and scale it. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. If it was longer than five feet, the meat will be tough. This requires a bit of work, but the results are worth it. I've been cooking it for a very long time with just butter, lemon and garlic, baking it at 350 degrees for maybe half an hour, covered. And you know what that means football parties, Cajun cook-offs, and an infinite supply of good times! The meat should have soaked up the rest of the liquid. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Cooking alligator can be tricky, so it is important to pay close attention to the color and texture of the alligator to make sure it is cooked all the way through. 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. 2 pounds alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. You can handle and treat that like a good piece of meat, even grill it.". If the pieces can't move around in the oil, they won't cook evenly. The tenderloin comes from the tail. Stryjewski said the restaurant uses peanut oil for frying, but "lard works just as well.". Put some crab boil spices in water according to direction. NEW !!!! Tenderize it using a standard meat mallet and for an extra delish result, sprinkle on your favorite meat tenderizer, too. One is to avoid eating anything that can contain harmful bacteria, including meats and poultry. When it is cooked, the inside will be a light pink color. Catfish is low in calories is filled with many healthy nutrients such as omega-3 . Grill the alligator for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. cornstarch, egg whites, alligator fillets, salt and 2 more. js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; Read more. What I bought was the tenderloin, the most tender meat, from the tail of the alligator. After all, it wouldnt be considered Cajun without a kick. To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar. This will help to make the flavors more potent and keep the meat moist while it cooks on the grill. Hola T&LeeFam! Fry the alligator for 3 minutes or until all of the pieces are floating in the oil.The meat will cook quickly in the hot oil, so keep your eye on the pan. Add stock as needed to keep the steaks at least halfway submerged at all times. 4. Copyright document.write(new Date().getFullYear()) AdventureSomeKitchen All Rights Reserved. Sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients all contribute to blue-green algae blooms, environmentalists said. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the alligator fillets. The alligator "wings" at Kingfish are baked in fat to tenderize them, then drained well, refrigerated and chilled. Thread alligator onto skewers. That said, there are a few things you can do to make sure your alligator meat turns out delicious. The answer to this question is a resounding No. You do not have to soak alligator meat prior to cooking it. Cooking alligator may be old hat for many home cooks, and it's quite apparentchefs are cooking it all over the place. Try to leave a little gap of space between the meat and the vegetables to allow them to cook evenly over the grill. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. This will also help to keep your alligator meat moist as it cooks. Place the alligator fillet on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. 4. Alligator meat can be a delicious and nutritious food, but it can also have a slightly gamey taste. Put the herbs into a large mixing bowl. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the meat, but it typically takes about 10 minutes to fry alligator meat. Cooking the kabobs for a total of 6 minutes will leave you with meat that is a medium level of doneness, and cooking for 8 minutes will produce medium-well meat. Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame. No worries. Preheat a pan or grill over medium-high heat and cook the alligator fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Ovens vary in their temperature, so be sure to measure the temperature of your alligator before putting it in the oven. The best way to know for sure if alligator meat is done is to cut into a piece and take a bite. Each September, chef Nathan Richard joins his friends to hunt alligator in the swamps around Lafourche Parish. Bake them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for around 30-40 minutes. The legs are available online, along with several other cuts and processed alligator (patties, nuggets, pistolettes) and several brands of sausage. June 16, 2017 12:52 pm This will help ensure that it cooks through evenly and doesnt become tough or rubbery. . "You can use it in jambalaya, gumbo, or any kind of stew, any place you would use smoked sausage, such as red beans and rice.". Im Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. 06 of 08. Alligator meat is typically slightly salty and has a distinctive flavor. By Ace Champion | (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. It will be easier to handle this way. The worlds top meat producer is probably the cow. Once the gumbo is done simmering, we add the meat back in. Making Fried Alligator. Grey101. "Turtle meat's a lot richer. 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. This will ensure that you are getting the best cuts of alligator. Designed & Developed by. Stir or whisk to distribute the pepper. This can be done with a knife, or by placing the alligator in a large bowl of ice. For another, alligator fillets are so large that they require a large cooking surface. Combine the flour and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. The pheromones are chemicals that act as signals to other animals, such as other people. An ideal way to prepare alligator is to boil it. Meat tenderizers are made of enzymes or acids that break down the proteins in meat, making it more tender. Alligator Sausage. Eating fillets from healthy fish caught in freshwater lakes experiencing blooms is safe. Make sure there's room for the meat to float around while they cook. One way to tell is to look at the color of the alligator. In this video we go to New Orleans to meet a man who makes alligator fillets. And of course, it always tastes great pan-seared or fried to a golden crisp! You can grill them with the hood of the grill up or down. Grilled alligator is more popular because of the meats texture. However, some have argued that alligator meat may not be as healthy as advertised. Dredge each piece in the Breading/Batter Mix and add to the oil. How do you know when alligator is done cooking. You can also use a wide array of acids, such as Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice or any vinegar, with an oil-based marinade. 2. When the oil is hot, carefully drop in each piece and . Alligators eat what they want, when they want, so they have minimal fat reserves, and their meat is lean. Instructions. Additionally, alligator meat is low in mercury and other harmful toxins. Still other recipes are cooked using a microwave. Donald Barkemeyer's alligator sausage, brand name Louisiana Cajun Grill Sausage, $6.99 a pound, is sold inWinn-Dixie stores in the New Orleans region and Gulf South. Lay the alligator steaks in the pan, giving each steak at least 1/2 inch of space. 1. First, the alligator meat should be a deep red color. When you think of alligator fillet, you may think that its tough and chewy. This is what stores are for. Add 2.5 lbs of Alligator gar fillets to the bag and mix thoroughly to coat each piece. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. The meat of the jowl is quite tender on its own, too, he said. Pat the alligator meat dry. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. Ever wondered how alligator steaks are made? It takes around 10 minutes for the oil to heat to an appropriate level for frying, so be patient. And man, do them Cajuns eat it up, cher! If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. This will make it easier to get the best flavors of the alligator. Lets take a closer look. Gotta agree 110% with the EMAN on this one - aligator sauce piquant is one of my favorites! 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. Like some of its more land-dwelling counterparts, alligator meat's . Heat vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 350F (176C) or use a recommended electric deep fryer. It looks like a dunce cap, long and skinny. In a large bowl, combine alligator, oil, salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, stirring until well coated. In large mixing bowl, combine all of the above ingredients with. Place a small section of aluminum foil on the pellet smoker's grill grates and spray with pan coating to prevent sticking. 7. Alligators have a lot of tough connective tissue, so it can take some time for the meat to become tender. It's really that simple. Our alligator meat is processed from alligators that are less than six feet long and between two-three years old. Finally, cook your alligator meat over a low heat. Place the alligator meat into a large bowl and add the granulated garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. This is better because you can make more use of the alligator. Instructions: Cut the Gator Meat into strips. The study looked at data from more than 20,000 people and found that eating meat was significantly healthier than eating any other type of food. Although braising is the preferred method of cooking, our Boneless Short Ribs can be cooking using a variety of methods. Back then, there were no milk processors, so people would soak alligators in milk to preserve them. Alligator Meat's popularity has grown exponentially throughout the world. AliGator meat came on time, fresh and ready to cook whatever way you want. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. Not sure where to buy your meat? Alligator meat is often seen as healthier than beef, due to its high quality proteins and low levels of cholesterol. If you're new to gator, don't be intimidated it tastes like chicken! However, roasting is mostly recommended for large fish. If there's still some pink in the middle, put the kabobs back on the grill for 1 minute before serving them. how to cook chicken and rice in a crockpot? Add the gator to the smoker and mist every thirty minutes with the juice. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Shake to coat. To preserve the alligator fillets, you can marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, brown sugar and orange juice. Alligator Stew. Pour the buttermilk into a shallow dish. Christie Girls Can Grill. Dip the floured alligator in buttermilk and remove with a slotted spoon, allowing as much buttermilk as possible to drip off. Im here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that its not as difficult as you might think! Remove the skin as soon as it loosens. Cajun Alligator Chili. Check out Acadia Crawfish for the tastiest alligator, crawfish and Cajun seasonings South Louisiana has to offer. Grilled alligator is also a very good source of protein, vitamin B12 and phosphorus. js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; It is great fried like fish or made into a sauce piquant. 3. For this, you need to ensure that it is well washed before boiling. Alligator fillet is quite similar to chicken fillet in taste and appearance. Powered by the ESHA Research Database 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved, alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. I hope youll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you! Youll be glad you did. How long does it take to cook alligator meat? The ribs, nuggets and wings are a darker meat with a stronger flavor and a texture similar to pork. Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Richard Johnson landed the previous state record alligator gar on August 13, 2009. Ive been interested in food and cooking since I was a child. Tough Step 1. Slice potatoes (do not peel) and make a layer of them on the bottom of the dish. 3. With the meat-side up, start cutting gently along the width at one end of the fillet until you can lay your knife sideways in the slit. It's available in a variety of cuts including tail fillets, ribs, nuggets and wings. Oldie but goodie thank you for rocking with us we apprecia. It's not mixed with something else.". Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, making sure the oil does not get too hot. Curious? 2. Cover the Dutch oven or pan. Barkemeyer said he sells 20,000 to 25,000 pounds of the sausage a year, and he ships it around the country. If you let it sit for longer than 2 hours, the consistency of the meat might begin to change. However, if you eat raw or undercooked alligator meat, you may experience serious health consequences. COPYRIGHT 2023, WOMG. Mix mayonnaise, chipotle, chili garlic sauce and siracha in a small bowl. The frying method involves frying the alligator fillet in a mixture of salt, pepper and oil. There are various cooking methods that you can use to cook alligator. The hot oil can splash out of the pan and cause serious burns. Dispose of any extra marinade. So, if you want to cook alligator fillet for dinner, you can try my recipe. Turn the steak over every 4 or 5 minutes so it cooks evenly on both sides. The cornstarch in the buttermilk batter makes the coating crispy. Place on a Crisper Tray and put it on the top rack of the Power Air Fryer Oven Elite. Alligators are a common sight in the southern United States, and many people may wonder why they are often seen soaking in milk. You will have more of the Chili Garlic Mayo than you need for this recipe. Add skewers, and cook until alligator is nicely browned on all sides and an instant-read thermometer inserted in center registers 160, 5 to 10 . Sonnier has made many alligator dishes in his career. This will help you determine whether or not its at its most done. It is also not that expensive. Set up the grill to cook indirectly, and grill the steaks for about 30 minutes per inch of thickness, turning every few minutes. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of potatoes. Transfer the alligator steaks to a plate and cover them loosely with aluminum foil. Remove the alligator from the dry spices. Unlike beef, though, which you can generally categorize as tender or tough, alligator meat has two levels of tenderness: tough and tougher. "The effect is a smoky taste outside and inside is true alligator," Sonnier said. And the fat on alligator is outside the pieces, not striated throughout the meat like, for instance, beef or pork. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until gator floats in oil. There are a few key things to look for when cooking alligator meat. And, if you have the time, let it marinate for a while in a flavorful sauce or marinade. Its been found that people tend to like to eat the fat and skin in these portions. This helps break down the collagen in the skin, resulting in a texture thats similar to steak. Be sure to carefully lower the meat into the oil. There are many different types of cooking techniques. Mix all dry ingredients for breading; Mix all wet ingredients, for an egg wash. Dip each Gator Tender Strip into the Egg Wash. Then cover with the breading. 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. It will also get a nice, golden-brown color. You could classify it as a lighter meat. Alligator fleas lemon juice capers butter kumquat olive oil white wine chicken broth. Mix the flour, breadcrumbs, and Cajun seasoning. The best cooking time is usually around 4 hours, so make sure you check them regularly. Love New Orleans food? The alligator is a real American legend, and almost every state has its own alligator restaurant. If desired, remove foil for last 15 minutes so top can brown. Put 1 pound (0.45 kg) of alligator meat into a bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. You won't end up eating fried alligator. Wipe off the excess marinade and let the alligator steaks sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Its important to watch alligator fillet closely, to ensure that it doesnt overcook. Rub the mixture all over the alligator fillet. First, you need to clean the alligator. This is the meat that is most equivalent to chicken, mainly because its the most tender part of the gator and mildest in flavor. Braise the steaks for another 30 minutes and check their tenderness with a fork. Oil extracts the essential oils from fresh herbs and peppers, while buttermilk doesn't. If you want to guarantee your alligator will be the best, try this recipe. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Carve with pressure toward the cutting board, in long strokes the length of the knife. 7. Another is to cook all meat thoroughly before eating it, as this will help remove any bacteria that may be present. Alligators are commonly known for their delicious and tender flesh, but there are a few things you can do to ensure that your alligator is cooked through. The chef compared cooking alligator with turtle. He also noted that people "sell the heck out of it" at church fairs and similar events. We have the video right here! 2. If it's your first time purchasing alligator meat, look for cuts from the tail. Add the alligator tails to the bowl and toss to coat. When you remove the meat from the refrigerator, there should be a small amount of vinegar left at the bottom of the bowl. "It's a fully cooked product, but the best way to cook it is on the grill," he said. Another way to tenderize alligator meat is to use a meat tenderizer. 3. Alligator Ribs $35.34 - $308.37. The belly, which is the part of the cut that contains the fat, is cut into bite-sized portions. '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! To cook the best thick pork chops, all you need is a gas grill. There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. This can be done by placing it in a large pot of water and boiling it for about an hour. Demand is pushing the wholesale price of alligator meat to $12 to $15 a pound.. Tail meat is a choice cut of white meat that is mild in flavor with a texture similar to veal. Other parts of the alligator are double-tenderized, he explained. Turn off the heat and let it sit for as long as you boiled it. This will make for a better meal. Alligator meat is a common dish in the southern United States, but it can be tough and chewy if not cooked properly. and using both hands, blend the ingredients well. Fried Gator. [1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2tQ5Ka_p5Y The flesh should flake when gently pressed. Alligator tenderloin somewhat resembles veal and tastes like a cross between frog legs and turtle meat. Pull up a seat at the table. Avoid overloading your kabobs. You may need to turn the pieces over in the oil if they don't do it on their own. Watch on. After a fifteen-year career as a semi-professional football player, Chef decided to follow his passion for cooking and has never looked back. The meat can be put into bowls and refrigerated until it is ready to eat. This is commonly done in small restaurants. The alligator is very lean so you need to make sure to remove the fat from it. If it is tough or chewy, it is not done. Besides the monstrous alligator gar and little florida gar, which are restricted to a few small areas of the country, anglers can pursue longnose, shortnose and spotted . Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,580 times. 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. Add Kosher or sea salt, brown sugar and white sugar to the water in the cooler and let the gator sit in the brine for 16 hours. 6. ", 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.". The process of cooking alligator fillets is a delicate one, so be careful not to overcook them. One of the best dishes is alligator sausage. Place the bag in ice, or the coldest part of the fridge or the freezer (but don't let the contents freeze) while prepping the coals. I cooked it together on the grill to give it a good flavor.