Barkemeyer, also known as "Chef Bucks," said his product is 65 percent Louisiana farm-raised alligator tail meat and 35 percent fresh boneless pork butt. In Florida, its legal to catch and eat an alligator. Quick and easy way to fix up gator bites for your friends. In large mixing bowl, combine all of the above ingredients with. . Out of stock. Blackened Louisiana Alligator Slider. Cooking alligator fillets can be a fun and easy experience if you follow these simple steps. What Temperature Should You Cook Chicken? Out of stock. Get your smoker to 250 degrees. Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, making sure the oil does not get too hot. Season with salt as soon as it comes out of the oil. Grilled Cajun Style Gator Tail. Place the fillets on a baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes or until cooked through. [4] 5. "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.". Join Where NOLA Eats, the hub for food and dining coverage in New Orleans. Check the internal temperature of the steak with a meat thermometer after you take it out of the pan, and make sure it measures at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit. First, you need to clean the alligator. The tenderloin comes from the tail. % of people told us that this article helped them. Whole Skinned Alligator Tail (Boneless) $29.99 - $48.98. Here is a recipe for alligator fillet that is easy to follow. Preheat a pan or grill over medium-high heat and cook the alligator fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side. Its believed that this is because the spices release pheromones. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Its important to watch alligator fillet closely, to ensure that it doesnt overcook. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. Add the alligator tails to the bowl and toss to coat. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption. Read more. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the alligator fillets. Blackened Alligator. Step up your party spread this year with alligator dishes, sure to satisfy the bellies of Cajun Country! Alligator red meat, including the legs and other tougher parts of muscle, are better if braised in a sauce, Pearce said, such as alligator sauce picante or another long-cooked dish. For one thing, the cooking temperature needed to get the best results is significantly higher than that for other types of fish. Leave in the fridge to marinate for at least 2 hours . Alligator Legs: Tender, lean, 2 lb. 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. Surprisingly (or maybe not), the USDA doesn't have a doneness guide for alligator and neither does my meat buyer's guide. Meanwhile, clean, oil, and preheat your grill to high heat (450F to 650F). Cover the Dutch oven or pan. Their diet consists mostly of fish, but they will also eat small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Alligator meat can be a delicious and nutritious food, but it can also have a slightly gamey taste. First, season the chops on both sides with salt and pepper. Watch on. Add aromatics, such as onions and garlic, to the pan and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. 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. For a meat that is supposed to taste a lot like chicken, it's not always cheap, but it sure is popular. Im Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. I hope youll check out my blog and my recipes, and I look forward to hearing from you! Cook the fillets for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, making sure they are grilled all the way through. Shake to coat. Please do not run out into the swamp and try to cut yourself off some alligator tail meat. The meat of an alligator is high in protein and fat, providing both nutrients and calories for humans. Weve got you covered, cher! 4. The ice will slowly start to remove the skin. The study, which was conducted by the World Health Organization, found that foods with healthy fats and fibers are the healthiest among all foods. Put the alligator back into the flour mixture, and again try to shake off as much extra flour as possible. This will make it easier to get the best flavors of the alligator. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. can Rotel tomatoes; Salt and pepper to taste; Instructions . Instructions. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Alligator Stew. As tough as alligators are in the wild, it comes as no surprise they're just as tough in the kitchen. This is commonly done in small restaurants. Alligator is a large fish that is about four inches long and has a crispy skin. These alligator fillets are so easy to make, youll be surprised. Try to put 5-6 pieces of meat and vegetables on every skewer. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. 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). Finally, alligator meat can be cooked slowly over low heat. There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. 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. Alligator is a type of meat that can be very hard to prepare properly. ", 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.". You wont be disappointed! This will make for a better meal. A four-ounce serving has 110 calories (20 from fat), 2 grams total fat, .5 grams saturated fat, 55 milligrams cholesterol, 55 milligrams sodium, nocarbohydrates and 24 grams of protein. Then I pan sear each side of the marinated alligator fillets for three minutes per side. Preheat your pit to 250. When it is cooked, the alligator will be a light pink color. Im here to talk about food and cooking, and to share some of my favorite recipes with you all! Another way to tell is to cut into the alligator and look at the inside. Braise the alligator steaks in the oven for 1 hour and turn them over. In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and eggs. 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. Alligator Sampler $71.50. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Most people will choose to cook the whole alligator. Remove the filets from the air fryer, tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. After the gator has been on the smoker for about 3 hours, add the glaze. Check out Acadia Crawfish for the tastiest alligator, crawfish and Cajun seasonings South Louisiana has to offer. [1]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2tQ5Ka_p5Y 2. By Ace Champion | 11. Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for increased flavor. One way to get the gamey taste out of alligator me is to cook it slowly in a pot over medium heat. Instructions. based animals is poor compared to other forms of animal consumption. Cube the alligator meat and add to the butter mixture, stirring to coat the alligator. Its also reported that soaking alligator meat in milk makes it more digestible, which makes it easier to absorb nutrients. Alligator sausage can be prepared by making a kind of cured sausage that combines alligator and pork. So delicious! The best way to know for sure if alligator meat is done is to cut into a piece and take a bite. (-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. Oil extracts the essential oils from fresh herbs and peppers, while buttermilk doesn't. Cajun Fried Alligator. Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame. The answer to this question is a resounding No. You do not have to soak alligator meat prior to cooking it. Once the gumbo is done simmering, we add the meat back in. You can build a marinade around oil and acid or cultured buttermilk. In 2013, I wrote about Archbishop Gregory Aymond's position that alligator counts asseafood position during Lent. We might be known for being your go-to resource during crawfish season, but that doesnt mean that we dont know a little something about gators, too. And you know what that means football parties, Cajun cook-offs, and an infinite supply of good times! I cover the tray in a lot of olive oil. The meat should have soaked up the rest of the liquid. However, roasting is mostly recommended for large fish. There are many different ways to cook an alligator, but the most popular is to fry it. Remove the skin as soon as it loosens. 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. var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0]; Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. But cooking it? Heat the oil in a medium size saucepot and heat to 375F. Oldie but goodie thank you for rocking with us we apprecia. Follow Where NOLA Eats on Instagram at @wherenolaeats, join the Where NOLA Eats Facebook group and subscribe to the free Where NOLA Eats weekly newsletter here. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. In a couple of weeks, fall will descend upon us. 4. Dip the floured alligator in buttermilk and remove with a slotted spoon, allowing as much buttermilk as possible to drip off. NEW !!!! 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. 5. A new state-record catch of an alligator gar is now on the books in Alabama. Remove the alligator from the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid. Make a sauce using the stock and drippings in the pan while the steaks rest, if desired. This article has been viewed 19,580 times. Set aside. 4. Farm-raised alligators are smaller and less fatty than wild ones, Pearce said, adding, "Wild is still great. First, be sure to season your alligator meat well before cooking it. For example, some recipes are cooked on the stove using oil or butter. Alligator Tenderloins are a great addition to a traditional gumbo recipe as well! Pat the alligator meat dry. This requires a bit of work, but the results are worth it. When you remove the meat from the refrigerator, there should be a small amount of vinegar left at the bottom of the bowl. Others may choose to eat chicken or turkey because they are considered healthier options. Im here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that its not as difficult as you might think! If you have extra kabobs, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 1 week. It takes around 10 minutes for the oil to heat to an appropriate level for frying, so be patient. Alligator fillet is quite similar to chicken fillet in taste and appearance. 5. 4 gallons total should cover the gator depending on the size of cooler you are using. An entire stick of butter fried in a pan with some garlic is all you need to coat the gator tail in flavoring before you add some salt and pepper and onions, and then take it to the grill for the . Grilled alligator is more popular because of the meats texture. Turn the steak over every 4 or 5 minutes so it cooks evenly on both sides. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot. Heat a 12-inch cast iron skillet over high heat. Let the steaks rest for about 10 minutes. Cooking the belly is a process that has been used for years to tenderize tough cuts of meat. Alligator is a popular dish in the southern United States. I believe that anyone can cook a delicious meal, no matter their skill level. Why not? "Turtle meat is more similar to beef or venison. Continue frying the meat 3-4 pieces at a time until all of the pieces are cooked and cooled. 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. Love New Orleans food? It takes about 3 to 4 minutes of cooking on each side to sear alligator meat and develop a golden-brown crust. Grilling and frying are some of the most popular ways to cook alligator, and both methods are perfect for an aspiring chef. If you can, you want to find out how big the gator was. The meat of the jowl is quite tender on its own, too, he said. Cover the alligator steaks loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for at least 10 minutes before you serve them. Combine the flour and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Another bonus about this meat is that it's not only tasty and versatile, but virtually fat free and high in protein. And of course, it always tastes great pan-seared or fried to a golden crisp! Avoid overloading your kabobs. The fish weighed an astonishing 162 pounds! 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. Sunny days, warm water temperatures, still water conditions and excess nutrients all contribute to blue-green algae blooms, environmentalists said. Although braising is the preferred method of cooking, our Boneless Short Ribs can be cooking using a variety of methods. "I think one reason people like it is that it's its own form. Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2021. Not sure where to buy your meat? "Turtle meat's a lot richer. We find out his secrets for cooking alligator and how to clean it before cooking. Award winning Chef Ace Champions passion for cooking began years before his culinary career. Alligator fillet is actually very tender and delicious. Put the herbs into a large mixing bowl. If there's still some pink in the middle, put the kabobs back on the grill for 1 minute before serving them. Rub the spice mixture onto the alligator fillets. boneless alligator, fresh or frozen. This will make for a better meal. When ordered, they are fried to a crispy brown, then tossed into a smoked tomato gastrique to coat the exterior. Ive been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and Ive loved every minute of it! Eating alligator meat is not typically seen as being healthy, but there are some benefits to consideration if you decide to do so. It is also not that expensive. But the most important thing to remember is that all the techniques you can use to cook are basically the same. Cajun Alligator Chili. Remove the alligator from the marinade and thread onto skewers. June 16, 2017 12:52 pm The Best Alligator Meat Recipes on Yummly | Geekswhoeat, Louisiana Buttermilk Fried Alligator With Spicy Tomato Sauce, Seminole Sauteed Alligator Tail ~ Native American . 4 cups alligator meat, cut into small bite-size pieces; 1/2 cup oil; 1 large onion, chopped; 1/2 cup green onions, chopped; 1 large bell pepper, chopped; 2 Tbs. This will also help to tenderize the meat. Stryjewski said the restaurant uses peanut oil for frying, but "lard works just as well.". Place a small section of aluminum foil on the pellet smoker's grill grates and spray with pan coating to prevent sticking. 3. Heat a few tablespoons of oil or a combination of oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet over medium-high heat. One is to avoid eating anything that can contain harmful bacteria, including meats and poultry. It looks like a dunce cap, long and skinny. The process requires that the meat be immersed in boiling hot water for at least two minutes. 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. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. Still other recipes are cooked using a microwave. This is the meat that is most equivalent to chicken, mainly because its the most tender part of the gator and mildest in flavor. Another way to tenderize alligator meat is to use a meat tenderizer. Quick view Choose Options. If you don't want to buy fish batter, you can. Heat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate. The worlds top meat producer is probably the cow. Alligators are a common sight in the southern United States, and many people may wonder why they are often seen soaking in milk. How do you know when alligator meat is done? Never tried to smoke it but it sounds like someone ruined some good gator. Enjoy! It's also super juice and tender. I tried to convince him to eat alligator fillet. The hot oil can splash out of the pan and cause serious burns. Don't hunt? 3. Alligator fillets are a bit of a different beast when compared to fillets of more common fish. "You can cook it so many different ways," he said. There are several types of tenderizers available, including those that are made of natural enzymes, acids, or chemicals. If you want to guarantee your alligator will be the best, try this recipe. Each September, chef Nathan Richard joins his friends to hunt alligator in the swamps around Lafourche Parish. The frying method involves frying the alligator fillet in a mixture of salt, pepper and oil. Season the alligator with kosher salt if you didn't use salt or salty ingredients in the marinade. Whisk well. Its been found that people tend to like to eat the fat and skin in these portions. This will also help to keep your alligator meat moist as it cooks. Dispose of any extra marinade. Fry for 1 - 2 minutes or until crisp. The alligator is a large, herbivorous alligator that can reach up to 6 feet in length and weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds. Grilled alligator is also a very good source of protein, vitamin B12 and phosphorus. Amount is based on available nutrient data. Grilled alligator is cooked by applying a light coating of oil and grilling on a grill or hot pan. Try to leave a little gap of space between the meat and the vegetables to allow them to cook evenly over the grill. He lives in Europe where he bakes with wild yeast, milks goats for cheese and prepares for the Court of Master Sommeliers level II exam. The flesh should flake when gently pressed. Never leave a pan of oil or a grill unattended while you're cooking. The skin can be very tough, and is best removed before cooking. The alligator is very lean so you need to make sure to remove the fat from it. 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. Furthermore, the meat is flavored with spices like salt and pepper, which helps it to taste delicious. If you're new to gator, don't be intimidated it tastes like chicken! However, the health of meat animals has not been taken into account when producers have made this decision. 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. But how do you know when alligator meat is done? These include olive oil, salmon, avocado, nuts and seeds. Tough Step 1. how to cook chicken and rice in a crockpot? js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id; 3. If you dont believe us, substitute that white meat for some gator next time youre cooking your favorite chicken recipe and see for yourself! 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. While you have the meat marinating, go ahead and pour some oil into a large skillet or frying pan. Ever wondered how alligator steaks are made? The Flavors of FallBeyond Pumpkin and Pecan, 1 lb. Gary's Island . 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. This is commonly done in small restaurants. 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 meat is quite fatty, which can be a problem when cutting the meat. Instructions: Cut the Gator Meat into strips. For instance, some anglers prefer cutting the fish into fillets and frying everything up. An ideal way to prepare alligator is to boil it. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. Season the alligatorfillets with salt and pepper before cooking them. 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. This is because it has a light flavour, mild and easy on the tongue. Keep the bag in the coldest part of the fridge while you prep the coal and grill. Start with the larger pieces. This will ensure that you are getting the best cuts of alligator. The figure is even higher for beef, with 71% of all cattle being used to produce beef. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. Unlike beef, though, which you can generally categorize as tender or tough, alligator meat has two levels of tenderness: tough and tougher. It is also much easier to slice if it is boiled first. One of the best dishes is alligator sausage. Remove the pan when the steaks reach the desired tenderness. Season the steaks to taste and sear them on both sides until golden-brown. 2. Start by placing the alligator meat in a bowl. The skin should be removed first and discarded. But hey, there are people that eat the red meat. Alligator Sauce Piquante Over Creamy Stone Ground Grits. Report abuse. COPYRIGHT 2023, WOMG. If it is cooked properly, the meat will be tender and juicy. 2) Use an oven thermometer. Omega 3s, this low-calorie fish is a healthy choice. Mix the melted butter with the remaining Cajun seasoning. Mm-mm! I simmer carp in a mixture of milk and white wine until it is barely cooked and then separate the meat from the bones. You won't end up eating fried alligator. Sep 18, 2010. 15 feet casing for stuffing. Spray all sides with Cooking Spray. Season the alligator fillets with salt pepper and other spices of your choice.