Alligator 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 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 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 BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
• For the head: Cut off about a quarter (8 ounces) of the dough and form into a teardrop shape, pulling the narrower end out to form a long snout. Set aside.
• For the eyes and legs: Cut off another quarter (8 ounces) of the dough. Divide the rest of this piece of dough into 2 logs each about 9-inches-long. Lay the logs crosswise in the middle of the prepared baking sheet with about 3-inches in between.
• For the body and tail: Form an 11-inch-long log with the remaining dough (1 pound) with one end thicker than the other. Place the log on top of the legs (the dough for the legs should peek out from under the body). Pull the narrow end to a point and curve to the side to make a tail. Butt the head up against the thicker part of the body. Curve the legs forward slightly.
• Spray the alligator with cooking spray, cover with plastic wrap and let rise until puffed, about 30 to 45 minutes.
• Beat together the milk, egg and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Brush the dough all over with the egg wash. Cut two small slits in the face on either side and press in dried cherries for eyes.
• With scissors, snip (without going all the way through) 4 small cuts in the front of the alligator's feet to make claws. Make 1-inch snips in horizontal rows all down the back of the alligator for scales. Press 2 toothpicks in the front of the snout (and leave them in during baking) to make the alligator's nostrils.
• Bake until the alligator has risen and is golden, 35 to 40 minutes. Remove to a cooling rack. Remove the toothpicks.
• While the alligator is still hot, use a serrated knife to slice open the head, crosswise, to make a mouth and gently pull it open. Insert slivered almonds in the top and bottom to make rows or jagged and crooked teeth. Insert a slivered almond in each nostril hole. Serve warm or at room temperature.

BRICE PALMER'S FRIED ALLIGATOR BITES

Steps:

• 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. Drop meat cubes in shaking bag and coat well.
• Deep fry at 375 F for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve hot with French fries and seafood sauce or other dipping sauce.