Set the temperature to 180 degrees. 2 pounds alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. Dip the floured alligator in buttermilk and remove with a slotted spoon, allowing as much buttermilk as possible to drip off. You slice that and pound it like veal, and you cannot tell the difference. 3. Alligators have a lot of tough connective tissue, so it can take some time for the meat to become tender. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Rub the mixture all over the alligator fillet. "They probably live in the same environment and eat the same stuff, so it's really similar to that taste," Sonnier said. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. Enjoy! But I cooked it the first time recentlyin sauce picante for our "In Judy's Kitchen" video series. 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. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. "It's a fully cooked product, but the best way to cook it is on the grill," he said. This is commonly done in small restaurants. The fish weighed an astonishing 162 pounds! Report abuse. Alligator meat is typically slightly salty and has a distinctive flavor. Remove the pan when the steaks reach the desired tenderness. Put 1 pound (0.45 kg) of alligator meat into a bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. While alligator meat is not as common as chicken or beef, it is a delicious and healthy protein choice. Turn off the heat and let it sit for as long as you boiled it. Its also reported that soaking alligator meat in milk makes it more digestible, which makes it easier to absorb nutrients. Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. pepper, onion powder, garlic powder, spices, kosher salt, mayonnaise and 9 more. 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). cornstarch, egg whites, alligator fillets, salt and 2 more. You can make alligator meat into a variety of dishes. "It's kind of like a grouper cheek, a big piece of meat.". Add stock as needed to keep the steaks at least halfway submerged at all times. Ive been interested in food and cooking since I was a child. Now cut your meat in to generous cube chunks and drop them in to the mixture making sure they receive a good coating. Read more. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the alligator fillets. It requires high amounts of fat, so it needs to be cooked well. It's really that simple. You can order gator meat online. Spray all sides with Cooking Spray. Surprisingly (or maybe not), the USDA doesn't have a doneness guide for alligator and neither does my meat buyer's guide. Boneless Turtle Meat 2 lb bag $69.99. Gator Burgers! Cut the alligator into small pieces, then season it with salt, pepper, and Cajun seasoning. How do you know if catfish is safe to eat? Pour the buttermilk into a shallow dish. In a couple of weeks, fall will descend upon us. Here are a few tips on how to cook alligator fillets: 1. 3. can Rotel tomatoes; Salt and pepper to taste; Instructions . Remove the alligator from the marinade and thread onto skewers. If it's your first time purchasing alligator meat, look for cuts from the tail. Season the steaks to taste and sear them on both sides until golden-brown. If it is still pink, it is not fully cooked. Ever wondered how alligator steaks are made? Slice potatoes (do not peel) and make a layer of them on the bottom of the dish. Andrews received formal training at Le Cordon Bleu. You can grill them with the hood of the grill up or down. The worlds top meat producer is probably the cow. Of course, you can also cook using different food types. For alligator meatballs or tacos, go with ground gator meat. Another bonus about this meat is that it's not only tasty and versatile, but virtually fat free and high in protein. Simply remove them, and eat them immediately. Weve got you covered, cher! NEW !!!! This can be done with a knife, or by placing the alligator in a large bowl of ice. If it is cooked properly, the meat will be tender and juicy. . Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/sdk.js#xfbml=1&version=v2.3"; The most popular and best portion of the gator is the tenderloin, which is found in the alligators tail. Combine the orange juice, honey, bourbon and ginger to make a glaze. }(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk')); Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full pricewine, food delivery, clothing and more. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. The alligator fillet is a very lean cut of meat. 9. The price for shipping was great but the price for the meat can be a little bit cheaper. [4] 5. 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. In a large bowl, combine alligator, oil, salt, and remaining 1 tablespoon Creole seasoning, stirring until well coated. However, if you eat raw or undercooked alligator meat, you may experience serious health consequences. Lower the heat to medium if the alligator steak measures 1/2 inch thick or less, and lower the heat to medium-low and cover the pan with a lid if it measures 1/2 inch thick or more. This will also help to tenderize the meat. 2. 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. Alligator is sold in the market as a whole or as a fillet. How to Cook Bone-In Pork Strips in the Grilling a Top Sirloin Filet in a Cast How to Sear Tenderloin Steak and Cook A.J. 1. Remove the alligator from the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of potatoes. Grilled alligator is more popular because of the meats texture. "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.". (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. Place a small section of aluminum foil on the pellet smoker's grill grates and spray with pan coating to prevent sticking. If desired, remove foil for last 15 minutes so top can brown. The vinegar works to make the meat slightly more tender before it's placed in the oil to cook. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Cut the alligator into 1" cubes and soak in milk (in the refrigerator) for 2 to 3 hours.Drain milk then season meat (in the same bowl) with Tony's Creole Seasoning.Add the mustard to the bowl and mix well, coating meat with mustard.Mix Fish Fry and pancake mix together in shaking bag. Check out Acadia Crawfish for the tastiest alligator, crawfish and Cajun seasonings South Louisiana has to offer. Cooking the belly is a process that has been used for years to tenderize tough cuts of meat. If you let it sit for longer than 2 hours, the consistency of the meat might begin to change. use plenty of salt and pepper to season the meat as needed. Heat oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees. You want it done.) It looks like a dunce cap, long and skinny. Add the gator to the smoker and mist every thirty minutes with the juice. Blackened Louisiana Alligator Slider. The Flavors of FallBeyond Pumpkin and Pecan, 1 lb. Sep 18, 2010. 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. Continue frying the meat 3-4 pieces at a time until all of the pieces are cooked and cooled. For example, some recipes are cooked on the stove using oil or butter. Meanwhile, clean, oil, and preheat your grill to high heat (450F to 650F). Heat the grill to high heat and grill kabobs for 6 . Dredge each piece in the Breading/Batter Mix and add to the oil. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes to prevent them from burning. It measured 7.5 feet long with a 35.5-inch girth. Want to see how its done? Cooking alligator fillets can be a fun and easy experience if you follow these simple steps. Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame. Heat a few tablespoons of oil or oil and butter in a Dutch oven or an oven-safe skillet or pan. The meat of the jowl is quite tender on its own, too, he said. After that, sprinkle some lemon juice on them to add some extra flavor. The milk helps to break down the food and makes it easier to digest. This will make it tender. Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Today, milk processors have made it easier to process milk, so there is no need to soak alligators in milk. The alligator is done cooking when the inside is cooked all the way through. Once the gumbo is done simmering, we add the meat back in. They have a thick skin that allows them to sweat and protect them from the elements. But hey, there are people that eat the red meat. To cook the best thick pork chops, all you need is a gas grill. How to cook alligator fillet - Meanings.co new meanings.co. Preheat your pit to 250. Whole Skinned Alligator Tail (Boneless) $29.99 - $48.98. However, some have argued that alligator meat may not be as healthy as advertised. Demand is pushing the wholesale price of alligator meat to $12 to $15 a pound.. His company packaged the 1-pound bags of frozen alligator I bought at Rouse's Supermarkets for the video. 1. 1 Pat the alligator meat dry. how to cook chicken and rice in a crockpot? Our alligator meat is processed from alligators that are less than six feet long and between two-three years old. Here's how to cook alligator fillets: 1. This can be done by placing it in a large pot of water and boiling it for about an hour. When it is cooked, the inside will be a light pink color. Another is to cook all meat thoroughly before eating it, as this will help remove any bacteria that may be present. Whisk well. Alligator meat is often seen as healthier than beef, due to its high quality proteins and low levels of cholesterol. Here, well take a look at some of the best meat options for everyday. based animals is poor compared to other forms of animal consumption. in a rolling motion until the fat content of the pork coats the. You can build a marinade around oil and acid or cultured buttermilk. I called the guy who always handlesa live alligator at the Louisiana Restaurant show every summer: Harlon Pearce, of Harlon's Louisiana Seafood. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. We find out his secrets for cooking alligator and how to clean it before cooking. Place the skewers directly onto grill and grill for 2 minutes per side. 2. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; One of the alligators favorite prey items is the American beaver. Mix the alligator meat, salt, pepper, and vinegar in a medium-sized bowl. Hola T&LeeFam! Cajun Alligator Chili. Don't drop any of the pieces of meat into the oil. In another shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, spices, salt and pepper. Season the alligator fillets with salt pepper and other spices of your choice. Heat the oil in a medium size saucepot and heat to 375F. 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. Here are four methods to tell if your alligator is fully cooked: 1) Check the meat for tenderness. Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, making sure the oil does not get too hot. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. If you cant afford the tenderloin, this cut is your next best bet. Most people will choose to cook the whole alligator. First, you need to clean the alligator. Keep reading. Award winning Chef Ace Champions passion for cooking began years before his culinary career. Quick view Choose Options. 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. Try this recipe featuring alligator that has been marinated in cajun seasonings, battered in buttermilk and seasoned flour and then fried until golden. Season to taste with the sugar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Others may choose to eat chicken or turkey because they are considered healthier options. 1. After a fifteen-year career as a semi-professional football player, Chef decided to follow his passion for cooking and has never looked back. Lightly dust the alligator with the flour mixture by dropping it into the bowl, then remove it and shake it in your hands to remove as much flour as possible. Youll just want to be choosy about which recipes you use for the different cuts. Another way to tell is to feel the alligator. It's not mixed with something else.". When you remove the meat from the refrigerator, there should be a small amount of vinegar left at the bottom of the bowl. In fact, its been legal to do so for about 100 years. Welcome back to our Channel! Cajun Fried Alligator. Instructions. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Place the fillets on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. His number one tip for cooking alligator tail: Don't cook it too long, he said. I cover the tray in a lot of olive oil. Lets take a closer look. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Use a slotted spoon to lift the calamari rings out of the buttermilk. The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the meat, but it typically takes about 10 minutes to fry alligator meat. In large mixing bowl, combine all of the above ingredients with. The most popular way to enjoy catfish is as pan-fried and breaded fillets. Until it's fried, alligator gets good grades for nutrition, especially in the protein department. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Place the alligator meat into a large bowl and add the granulated garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. // Leaf Group Lifestyle, How to Cook Worcestershire Marinated New York Steak. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Thread alligator onto skewers. Check the steaks' internal temperature with a meat thermometer to make sure they reach 165 degrees before serving. In my mind, you can wrap bacon around just about anything, so why not alligator tail? 4. Grilled Cajun Style Gator Tail. The skin should be removed first and discarded. 4. Sonnier has . While you have the meat marinating, go ahead and pour some oil into a large skillet or frying pan. This is because they contain the highest level of fatty acids, which are essential for the body. Ive been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and Ive loved every minute of it! Grey101. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); Instructions: Cut the Gator Meat into strips. Tail meat is a choice cut of white meat that is mild in flavor with a texture similar to veal. Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This requires a bit of work, but the results are worth it. Braise the alligator steaks in the oven for 1 hour and turn them over. It is the most delicate part of the meat from the animal. But cooking it? Alligator Ribs $35.34 - $308.37. There are several types of tenderizers available, including those that are made of natural enzymes, acids, or chemicals. This will make for a better meal. 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. Oil extracts the essential oils from fresh herbs and peppers, while buttermilk doesn't. Meat was also found to be the most nutrient dense food out there. An ideal way to prepare alligator is to boil it. Once hot, add coated alligator filets and cook for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown. Like most hunters, they deliver. Im Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. It's processed and naturally hickory-smoked in wood-burning ovens at Crescent City Meat Company in Metairie. Cows are the top meat producers in the world, accounting for more than 50% of all meat production. "It has a very high water content. If you're using a pellet grill, set it for around 400F degrees. if (d.getElementById(id)) return; At French Quarter restaurant Kingfish (337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005; www.kingfishneworleans.com), chef Nathan Richard pulls from his Cajun u. There are many factors to consider when making a decision about which animal to consume, but one that should be taken into account is their health. Catfish is low in calories is filled with many healthy nutrients such as omega-3 . You can get frozen alligator meat online. Im here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! Meat consumption has increased significantly in the last few decades, and with that, the demand for meat. boneless alligator, fresh or frozen. Microwave half a cup of butter for 30 seconds. Can I wrap bacon around the tail meat while grilling? He also noted that people "sell the heck out of it" at church fairs and similar events. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It's also super juice and tender. Season with salt as soon as it comes out of the oil. Pour lemon juice over filets. Stryjewski said the restaurant uses peanut oil for frying, but "lard works just as well.". We prefer to poach the tenderloins, and let them cool, then shred the meat by hand. Alligator tenderloin somewhat resembles veal and tastes like a cross between frog legs and turtle meat. Bring the liquid to a boil and thicken it with roux or a cornstarch slurry and simmer for about 10 minutes. Season the alligator with kosher salt if you didn't use salt or salty ingredients in the marinade. Helpful. Although most commonly served fried as gator "nuggets", alligator is said to have a veal-like quality and can be easily substituted for any dish containing seafood, chicken, or pork. parsley; 1 cup water; 1- 10 oz. 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. You will have more of the Chili Garlic Mayo than you need for this recipe. Its important to cook alligator fillet at a low temperature, to avoid overcooking the meat and drying it out. Start by placing the alligator meat in a bowl. I've eaten my share of the alligator dishes at Jazz Fest. For the Alligator. 2. 3. Try to leave a little gap of space between the meat and the vegetables to allow them to cook evenly over the grill. The smaller, younger alligators produce the most tender alligator meat possible, without any use of preservatives or additives. Read More . This will also help to keep your alligator meat moist as it cooks. Like most meats, it can be cooked in a variety of ways, though there are some general rules of thumb to follow to get the best results. Mix the melted butter with the remaining Cajun seasoning. This will give them a nice and zesty flavor. Add the skewers to the grill and cook them for about 5 minutes per side. 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. You may need to turn the pieces over in the oil if they don't do it on their own. Alligator Sampler $71.50. 1. Please do not run out into the swamp and try to cut yourself off some alligator tail meat. Our tenderized fillets are unmatched in both tenderness and taste. You can also use a wide array of acids, such as Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice or any vinegar, with an oil-based marinade. You can cook tough alligator steaks, such as fillets, in a pan, but tougher cuts, such as sirloin, flank and tail, need to be braised. and using both hands, blend the ingredients well. Omega 3s, this low-calorie fish is a healthy choice. For a meat that is supposed to taste a lot like chicken, it's not always cheap, but it sure is popular. I tried to convince him to eat alligator fillet. Pour the brine solution (recipe below) over the gator. 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. #5. eman said: Gator does not taste awful. Stir or whisk to distribute the pepper. Category: dinner. You wont be disappointed! Place the alligator fillet on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Cover the Dutch oven or pan. Sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients all contribute to blue-green algae blooms, environmentalists said. Several cuts of alligator meat correspond with beef, like the tenderloin. Another way to tell is to cut into the alligator and look at the inside. Ovens vary in their temperature, so be sure to measure the temperature of your alligator before putting it in the oven. The ice will slowly start to remove the skin.