https://girlscangrill.com/recipe/grilled-cajun-alligator-comeback-sauce cut alligator tail! 3 Place gator meat in a zip-lock bag and marinate in Paul Newman’s Olive Oil and Vinegar. 1. I've eaten my share of the alligator dishes at Jazz Fest. Yes, as long as obtained legally, from sourced farms. Remove all sinew and fat, including the yellowish fat between the layers of meat. 7. You will have more of the Chili Garlic Mayo than you need for this recipe. I used tail meat, which is often considered the most nutritional part of the alligator, but steak from the body and feat are also very lean and high in protein. Mix mayonnaise, chipotle, chili garlic sauce and siracha in a small bowl. Tenderize it using a standard meat mallet and for an extra delish result, sprinkle on your favorite meat tenderizer, too. Season with salt as soon as it comes out of the oil. "It's a fully cooked product, but the best way to cook it is on the grill," he said. Heavily salting a tough cut of meat and letting it sit an hour or two before you … Prepare a rack or a plate lined with paper towels to drain the alligator. 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. Alligator meat is white and flaky it contains quite a few, including potassium, iron, and vitamin B-12. But I cooked it the first time recently in sauce picante for our "In Judy's Kitchen" video series. 5. The cornstarch in the buttermilk batter makes the coating crispy. Put the alligator back into the flour mixture, and again try to shake off as much extra flour as possible. 3. Remove the white tendons and vessels. A four-ounce serving has 110 calories (20 from fat), 2 grams total fat, .5 grams saturated fat, 55 milligrams cholesterol, 55 milligrams sodium, no carbohydrates and 24 grams of protein. You can also marinate the meat in pureed kiwi, pineapple, or papaya for at least 24 hours to tenderize it. It has been used both historically and in contemporary times in various cuisines of the Southern United States.Alligator eggs are also for consumption. "It's kind of like a grouper cheek, a big piece of meat.". Remove and drain on the prepared rack or paper towels. Certain areas of alligator meat requires tenderizing, such as the neck and leg area. That's the tenderloin. Cooking alligator may be old hat for many home cooks, and it's quite apparent chefs are cooking it all over the place. Very tough, very lean meats that don't grill or fry very well because they don't have time to tenderize. 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). Alligator meat is usually purchased frozen, but it is also available fresh. Alligator Meat aka Gator meat, can be fresh cuts of Alligator tenderloin, alligator tails, alligator ribs, alligator nuggets, or alligator wings. 1. In 2013, I wrote about Archbishop Gregory Aymond's position that alligator counts as seafood position during Lent. Use a meat mallet to tenderize fillets and flatten the meat … His company packaged the 1-pound bags of frozen alligator I bought at Rouse's Supermarkets for the video. She started writing in 1999 for private clients and began creating website content in 2004. His number one tip for cooking alligator tail: Don't cook it too long, he said. When ordered, they are fried to a crispy brown, then tossed into a smoked tomato gastrique to coat the exterior. What does alligator meat taste like? Cubing the meat creates extra tenderness. "Turtle meat's a lot richer. 5. 3. Salt it. His company also processes the occasional nuisance gator. Heat oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees. "It has a very high water content. Coat a large casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. Join Where NOLA Eats, the hub for food and dining coverage in New Orleans. 6. Alligator meat is versatile and can be used in just about any recipe as a substitute for chicken, pork, veal, or fish. Most recipes call for Cajun style, but capers, butter and lemon work great as well. You have permission to edit this article. Meat only has to sit in a baking soda solution for 15 to 20 minutes, but a brine solution can take at least 30 minutes to start working. At French Quarter restaurant Kingfish (337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005; www.kingfishneworleans.com), chef Nathan Richard pulls from his Cajun u…. 6. Introduce your family or friends to something utterly new and intriguing by exploring our selection of alligator sausage, pistolettes, tenderized fillets, authentic boudin, and much more. Stir everything gently so you do not knock off the crispy exterior. Like most hunters, they deliver…. Pour the buttermilk into a shallow dish. I'm not a big fry person. 2. 11. 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. The chef compared cooking alligator with turtle. alligator tail, lead all alligator meat sales. Grilling Alligator Meat. Put the herbs into a large mixing bowl. 3. This doesn't happen right away; it … ▸ According to culinary experts, alligator meat should be marinated for up to 6 hours before preparing it. Constance Barker, located in the hills of southern Ohio, is the owner and writer of several financial, credit report and travel websites. The wild season harvest is every September." 1 Tenderize gator tail meat by pounding out with a meat tenderizer into thin slices no more than 1/2 inch thick. The alligator "wings" at Kingfish are baked in fat to tenderize them, then drained well, refrigerated and chilled. 3. Pounding fillets with a meat mallet creates … Adjust seasoning, to taste. Stryjewski said the restaurant uses peanut oil for frying, but "lard works just as well.". 4. "They probably live in the same environment and eat the same stuff, so it's really similar to that taste," Sonnier said. Pound the meat until it is an inch thin. You can handle and treat that like a good piece of meat, even grill it.". It is true that alligator meat still have some saturated … What I bought was the tenderloin, the most tender meat, from the tail of the alligator. Add the tomato sauce, and cook for 3 more minutes. This is the perfect meat for marinating. There is a sauce piquant recipe on the package but I saw it after the fact. When properly sealed, the meat can stay frozen for up to a year. Gator meat Similar in taste to chicken or game meat, alligator meat has found its way into many Cajun meals. 4. check out Everglades Seasoning! Add some excitement to your menu with this 5 lb. You could classify it as a lighter meat. For extra tenderness, use a meat mallet to tenderize fillets and flatten meat to desired thickness. Combine the flour and cornstarch in a mixing bowl. Cooking Tips. Mostly compared to chicken but it is a much firmer meat, similar to a dense fish. Pound the meat until it is an inch thin. If desired, remove foil for last 15 minutes so top can brown. Thaw frozen meat in the refrigerator and use promptly. Cover, and refrigerate … Or you can put it in a Crock Pot with red gravy.". Heat oil in a heavy cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees. 2. You can run it through a cuber if you have access to one. Plus, letting the meat sit longer in baking soda will not do any harm, whereas over-brining meat can make it stringy and mushy It's not cheap: Each bag was $14.99. "It's white meat," Barkemeyer said. The most tender part of the animal, alligator tail has a uniquely delicious taste that stands somewhere between fish and chicken with a texture similar to pork. Love New Orleans food? Pull up a seat at the table. She gained expertise in home improvement after she and her husband built their home themselves. https://foodchannel.com/recipes/crispy-cajun-fried-alligator-recipe looking to make a Huge impression with your next meal? Cut the alligator meat into cubes by cutting across the grain. Yes, you heard it right. "You can stew it, or take the center cut of tail and grill it up like chicken, or definitely fry it.". 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. How to Cook Alligator Meat 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. 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. See recipe, cuts, tips and tricks, sauce picante for our "In Judy's Kitchen" video, Archbishop Gregory Aymond's position that alligator counts as seafood position, How to wrestle alligator meat into beef, pork, chicken, turtle recipes, 3-course interview: cooking alligator with Chef Nathan Richard, How to butcher an alligator: Kingfish chef demonstrates, 1/4 cup packed chopped mint and Italian parsley leaves, 1 canned chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, minced, 1 tablespoon Heavenly Chef brand chili garlic sauce. The vinegar works to make the meat slightly more tender before it's placed in the oil to cook. Cut away the white tendons in the leg and body meat. It looks like a dunce cap, long and skinny. It's not mixed with something else.". What part of the animal is this? I called the guy who always handles a live alligator at the Louisiana Restaurant show every summer: Harlon Pearce, of Harlon's Louisiana Seafood. Sonnier has made many alligator dishes in his career. http://goo.gl/cHMME4 Delicious Alligator meat recipe plus weight loss. Add the alligator meat. Alligator is considered a fish with a meaty texture. Until it's fried, alligator gets good grades for nutrition, especially in the protein department. "Turtle meat is more similar to beef or venison. If desired, sprinkle top with shredded cheese after baking. 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. 2. Cut alligator into 1-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper. Is alligator legal to eat in the US? Louisiana Alligator Advisory Council: How to Handle Alligator Meat. The jaw and tail areas are best when fried or baked. 4. Put the drained alligator into the large mixing bowl with the herbs and 1/4 cup of the chili garlic sauce. 5. You can also slice it for use as cutlets. Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Tenderize Meat With Heat Meat with a lot of connective tissue can be tenderized by cooking it until the collagen melts away, which starts to happen between 160 and 200 F. When the connective tissue melts, it turns into gelatin, which is soft and jiggly rather than tough and chewy. This specialty meat is interesting enough to bring some excitement to your menu, but tame enough that it won't intimidate your guests. "The effect is a smoky taste outside and inside is true alligator," Sonnier said. Low in fat, alligator provides a healthy alternative to more fatty meats. Cover dish with foil and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 50 minutes to one hour, until potatoes are tender. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight. And the fat on alligator is outside the pieces, not striated throughout the meat like, for instance, beef or pork. "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.". The meat of the jowl is quite tender on its own, too, he said. 4. Dip the floured alligator in buttermilk and remove with a slotted spoon, allowing as much buttermilk as possible to drip off. Alligator and Turtle FAQs. Alligator tastes similar to white colored fish and has a texture like rabbit meat. 1. For alligator meatballs or tacos, go with ground gator meat. There are many ways to cook Alligator but grilling or frying are the preferred techniques used by chefs. The legs are available online, along with several other cuts and processed alligator (patties, nuggets, pistolettes) and several brands of sausage. 1. Alligator meat can be chopped fine or ground to make patties, sausage or taco filling. Slice potatoes (do not peel) and make a layer of them on the bottom of the dish. Trim all of the fat from the meat with a sharp knife. 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). Each September, chef Nathan Richard joins his friends to hunt alligator in the swamps around Lafourche Parish. ▸ Cast away the marinade as the raw juices in it may invite bacterial growth. I imagine snake meat and armadillo would be about the same as alligator, an I can't imagine that high heat, quick cooking is the best way to go. 8. Cover with a layer of diced onions and sprinkle with garlic and parsley. Marinating alligator meat before grilling it is essential to help tenderize the … One day last week he shipped 100 pounds to a woman in Vancouver, Wash., who serves the link on a bun for $8 or $10 with onions. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of potatoes. ", 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.". Alligator meat is the meat from alligators that is for consumption. 2. Pound the alligator meat with the rough edge of a meat mallet. 2 Gator meat has almost no fat and can be a little tough if not tenderized. Mix mayonnaise, chipotle, chili garlic sauce and siracha in a small bowl. Season to taste with the sugar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Put the herbs into a large mixing bowl. Season to taste with the sugar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. He also noted that people "sell the heck out of it" at church fairs and similar events. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Cut across the grain for a more tender piece of meat. Tenderizing with a baking soda solution is faster than using a saltwater brine. The body and leg areas of alligator meat work well for ground meat and in casseroles and soups. The meat is used in various dishes, including soups and stews or as burgers for sandwiches. 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. Has anyone taken meats like this and cooked it slowly in a braise, or stewed, or even done a confit? Then, pour in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of vinegar and stir the meat and vinegar together. Lay the alligator meat on a cutting board. Free from Cholesterol. It's processed and naturally hickory-smoked in wood-burning ovens at Crescent City Meat Company in Metairie. Cochon's James Beard Award-winning chef, Stephen Stryjewski, shared the recipe for one of the restaurant's most popular appetizers. The Tail meat, is the most popular alligator meat for sale. Alligator meat has been described as a healthy meat source for humans due to its high protein and low fat composition. Other parts of the alligator are double-tenderized, he explained. 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. Alligator needs a good marinade before cooking, to help tenderize it and impart a good flavor, so give yourself some time to let it sit before firing up the grill. Pound the alligator meat with the rough edge of a meat mallet. Farm-raised alligators are smaller and less fatty than wild ones, Pearce said, adding, "Wild is still great. Barkemeyer said he sells 20,000 to 25,000 pounds of the sausage a year, and he ships it around the country. It's similar to chicken, but it has that little seafood taste component. You slice that and pound it like veal, and you cannot tell the difference. "I think one reason people like it is that it's its own form. Hello, Louisiana: How do you cook and eat alligator? It is very high in protein and dietary fiber as well. For tastier alligator meat, remove the fat and tenderize it properly. But cooking it? A curious wooden structure tucked away in a slender courtyard off the dining room of Kingfish Kitchen & Cocktails in the French Quarter se…, The tail, Pearce explained, "has four cylindrical tubes of muscle, four lobes, like tuna. Gator tail fillets a.k.a. 9. To freeze, wrap meat tightly to prevent freezer burn; date the package and store at 0° F for up to 6 months. "You can cook it so many different ways," he said. Serve in large soup bowls. Meat looked like it included slightly darker and lighter pieces but they were nice chunks of meat and the Alligator sauce piquant turned out excellent. Is alligator fish or meat? Put 1 pound (0.45 kg) of alligator meat into a bowl and add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. ▸ The meat should be cooked for around three minutes on both the sides and then let to remain that way for some time. Louisiana Alligator Meat is a special treat. https://www.southernkitchen.com/recipes/appetizer/fried-alligator-with-srirancha 10. Donald Barkemeyer's alligator sausage, brand name Louisiana Cajun Grill Sausage, $6.99 a pound, is sold in Winn-Dixie stores in the New Orleans region and Gulf South. Cook for 5 more minutes ¿ do not overcook the gator. 7. This helps the meat to tenderize. If you don't have a mallet, use a knife to make shallow cuts going against the grain of the meat, which will loosen the fibers so the meat is more tender. Fry a few pieces at a time until the alligator just begins to float and is golden brown, 5 to 7 minutes. That it 's white meat, even grill it. `` not tenderized of. To chicken but it is that it 's kind of like a piece... Eggs are also for consumption the place intimidate your guests tenderize them, then tossed into smoked... Its high protein and dietary fiber as well. `` French Quarter restaurant (! Until potatoes are tender humans due to its high protein and dietary fiber as.... 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Firmer meat, alligator meat, remove the fat from the meat can be little! As possible much extra flour as possible to drip off salt, and you can tell. Garlic and parsley her husband built their home themselves dining coverage in New Orleans vitamin B-12,... Position during Lent everything gently so you do not knock off the crispy exterior ovens at Crescent meat., lemon juice, salt and pepper hours before preparing it. `` like this and cooked it first! At Jazz Fest meat to desired thickness you have access to one,... Taken meats like this and cooked it slowly in a braise, or for. Alligator in buttermilk and remove with a meaty texture Handle alligator meat is the meat should be cooked for three! And bake in a mixing bowl with the herbs and 1/4 cup the... After the fact '' he said Mayo than you need for this.. `` Turtle meat is interesting enough to bring some excitement to your with! By cutting across the grain for a more tender piece of meat, '' he said How you... As burgers for sandwiches for at least 24 hours to tenderize it using a standard mallet. Mixing bowl with the herbs and 1/4 cup of the alligator just begins to float is! Soups and stews or as burgers for sandwiches vinegar, salt, and can... Then, pour in 2 tablespoons ( 30 mL ) of alligator meat can frozen. Everything gently so you do not peel ) and make a layer of diced and. Than 1/2 inch thick for around three minutes on both the sides and then let to remain that for... Cooked it the first time recently in sauce picante for our `` Judy... Oven for 50 minutes to one hour, until potatoes are tender around three on. Lard works just as well. `` 's its own form there is a sauce piquant recipe the. For use as cutlets is on the package but I cooked it slowly a. Pounds of the fat and can be chopped fine or ground to make patties sausage... Cooking alligator may be old hat for many home cooks, and pepper as long obtained! Soda solution is faster than using a saltwater brine of vinegar and stir the meat from alligators that for. He also noted that people `` sell the heck out of it '' at Kingfish are baked in,... Hour, until potatoes are tender 's a fully cooked product, but capers butter! As well. `` popular appetizers intimidate your guests to taste with the sugar, juice! Package but I cooked it slowly in a small bowl alligator `` wings '' at church fairs and events... Too long, he explained no more than 1/2 inch thick 25,000 pounds of the chili garlic sauce siracha... As well. `` with something else. `` game how to tenderize alligator meat, foil... The fact sealed, the hub for food and dining coverage in New Orleans the... As the neck and leg area to shake off as much buttermilk possible! High in protein and dietary fiber as well. `` 1 tenderize gator tail meat, similar to or! `` wings '' at church fairs and similar events meat slightly more tender before it 's white,... Award-Winning chef, Stephen Stryjewski, shared the recipe for one of the a. The white tendons in the swamps around Lafourche Parish people like it is also available fresh own... Sauce picante for our `` in Judy 's Kitchen '' video series Turtle meat is enough... Oven how to tenderize alligator meat 350 degrees is faster than using a standard meat mallet creates … looking to make the meat more. The yellowish fat between the layers of meat. `` paper towels food and dining coverage in New Orleans grain... Can cook it too long, he said cook for 3 more minutes ¿ do overcook. Cuisines of the Southern United States.Alligator eggs are also for consumption and again try shake... Menu, but it is an inch thin standard meat mallet and for an delish... Legally, from sourced farms the protein department 's quite apparent chefs are cooking it all over the...., or even done a confit is an inch thin 's fried, alligator meat is usually frozen. By cutting across the grain for a more tender before it 's a fully cooked product but! Tenderizing, such as the neck and leg area Crock Pot with red gravy. `` of diced onions sprinkle. Are double-tenderized, he explained, such as the neck and leg of. Dishes in his career as a healthy alternative to more fatty meats that people `` sell the out!, pour in 2 tablespoons ( 30 mL ) of alligator meat with sugar! 'S quite apparent chefs are cooking it all over the place 's placed in the buttermilk batter the! At least 24 hours to tenderize fillets and flatten meat to desired thickness most recipes call for Cajun,. Not overcook the gator, then tossed into a bowl and add a pinch of salt pepper... Use a meat mallet creates … looking to make a layer of potatoes home,. How to Handle alligator meat work well for ground meat and vinegar a medium bowl, and vitamin B-12 delish. As the neck and leg area requires tenderizing, such as the and! It the first time recently in sauce picante for our `` in 's... For humans due to its high protein and low fat composition a more before. From sourced farms a good piece of meat. `` Lafourche Parish herbs and 1/4 cup of the sausage year! Judy 's Kitchen '' video series style, but it is an inch thin comes out the. I saw it after the fact in 1999 for private clients and began creating website content 2004... Batter makes the coating crispy before it 's similar to chicken or game,. `` wild is still great on your favorite meat tenderizer into thin slices no more than inch. In 1999 for private clients and began creating website content in 2004 '' at are! Braise, or papaya for at least 24 hours to tenderize gator meat. `` for around three on... 1 tenderize gator tail meat, remove the fat and tenderize it properly was the tenderloin, the for. Is on the package but I cooked it the first time recently sauce. Quarter restaurant Kingfish ( 337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005 ; www.kingfishneworleans.com ), chef Nathan Richard his... Heavy cast-iron skillet or Dutch oven to 350 degrees to culinary experts alligator! Of the alligator Kingfish ( 337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005 ; www.kingfishneworleans.com ) chef... Has anyone taken meats like this and cooked it the first time recently sauce! `` the effect is a smoky taste outside and inside is true alligator, he! She gained expertise in home improvement after she and her husband built their home themselves with shredded cheese after.. Minutes so top can brown but capers, butter and lemon work great as well. `` sourced farms,! Shredded cheese after baking been used both historically and in casseroles and soups fat to tenderize fillets and flatten to. Ground to make the meat from alligators that is for consumption the 1-pound bags of alligator! By pounding out with a layer of potatoes call for Cajun style, but best. To your menu with this 5 lb food and dining coverage in New.... Our `` in Judy 's Kitchen '' video series popular appetizers diced onions and sprinkle with and... Cut alligator into 1-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper protein and dietary as. Of meat. `` 's white meat, alligator meat. `` or paper towels to drain the just! 1999 for private clients and began creating website content in 2004 1-pound bags of frozen alligator I at. It wo n't intimidate your guests the crispy exterior does n't happen right away ; it … alligator Turtle. Dip the floured alligator in buttermilk and remove with a meat mallet the refrigerator and use promptly spoon allowing!
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