first and foremost, alligator meat has high levels of omega-3 fatty acids which are important for overall health. Repeat the process until all the Alligator is cooked. Unlike beef, though, which you can generally categorize as tender or tough, alligator meat has two levels of tenderness: tough and tougher. 5. Report abuse. can Rotel tomatoes; Salt and pepper to taste; Instructions . You could classify it as a lighter meat. In the same pan that you cooked the alligator . Helpful. We find out his secrets for cooking alligator and how to clean it before cooking. The fish weighed an astonishing 162 pounds! Youll just want to be choosy about which recipes you use for the different cuts. He also noted that people "sell the heck out of it" at church fairs and similar events. Cook the alligator, using tongs to turn occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Braise the alligator steaks in the oven for 1 hour and turn them over. Set aside. Mix the alligator meat, salt, pepper, and vinegar in a medium-sized bowl. The ribs, nuggets and wings are a darker meat with a stronger flavor and a texture similar to pork. Remove and drain on the prepared rack or paper towels. Read more. Heat to 360 degrees F. Coat the alligator meat with the fish batter. ", 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.". 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 . "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.". This will help you determine whether or not its at its most done. Finally, ensure that your food choices are organic whenever possible. vacume sealed packs of white meat, marinated and ready to grill. We prefer to poach the tenderloins, and let them cool, then shred the meat by hand. This will make it tender. Meat was also found to be the most nutrient dense food out there. Surprisingly (or maybe not), the USDA doesn't have a doneness guide for alligator and neither does my meat buyer's guide. Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then cook the alligator until it is golden brown and crispy. Set up the grill to cook indirectly, and grill the steaks for about 30 minutes per inch of thickness, turning every few minutes. Sear the alligator on both sides until golden brown, just like a regular steak. Continue to mix. Cooking alligator may be old hat for many home cooks, and it's quite apparentchefs are cooking it all over the place. 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. I cooked it together on the grill to give it a good flavor. Mm-mm! Thread alligator onto skewers. Pat the fish dry. As tough as alligators are in the wild, it comes as no surprise they're just as tough in the kitchen. Now cut your meat in to generous cube chunks and drop them in to the mixture making sure they receive a good coating. It takes about 3 to 4 minutes of cooking on each side to sear alligator meat and develop a golden-brown crust. This helps break down the collagen in the skin, resulting in a texture thats similar to steak. 2. "It's kind of like a grouper cheek, a big piece of meat.". % of people told us that this article helped them. And of course, it always tastes great pan-seared or fried to a golden crisp! Omega 3s, this low-calorie fish is a healthy choice. The taste is delicious, and its one of the most expensive dishes in the market. 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. 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. In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, garlic powder, black pepper, and salt. This will make it easier to get the best flavors of the alligator. Enjoy! At French Quarter restaurant Kingfish (337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005; www.kingfishneworleans.com), chef Nathan Richard pulls from his Cajun u. His company also processes the occasional nuisance gator. Season it immediately with salt and pepper. Shake to coat. Alligator meat is a popular dish in many cultures, and one of the reasons why is because it is low in calories and has a high quality protein content. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. 7. Demand is pushing the wholesale price of alligator meat to $12 to $15 a pound.. First, the alligator meat should be a deep red color. Lets take a closer look. Marinate the steaks in a buttermilk-based marinade for 2 to 3 hours. 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. After all, it wouldnt be considered Cajun without a kick. Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. You can also cook alligator steaks on the grill. The answer to this question lies in the alligators diet. Meat tenderizers are made of enzymes or acids that break down the proteins in meat, making it more tender. Microwave half a cup of butter for 30 seconds. The tail also has white meat in it that isnt a part of the tenderloin. Pat the alligator meat dry. Some others prefer grinding all the meat before making patties, which are quite tasty due to the game flavor. When it comes to eating clean, there are a few things to keep in mind. 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. It is similar to veal because of its tenderness. Sign up for daily stories delivered to your inbox. Cut off the head and the tail, then gut and scale it. If it is still pink, it is not fully cooked. This is the meat that is most equivalent to chicken, mainly because its the most tender part of the gator and mildest in flavor. Next, layer the gator with bacon covering all parts with bacon except for the head. Cover with a layer of diced onions and sprinkle with garlic and parsley. Powered by the ESHA Research Database 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved, alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. 06 of 08. Don't drop any of the pieces of meat into the oil. In a small bowl combine olive oil garlic powder paprika salt and black pepper. Its believed that this is because the spices release pheromones. If its not, then its likely still in its first stage of cooking. 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. There are a few different ways to cook alligator meat, but the most common way is to fry it. It measured 7.5 feet long with a 35.5-inch girth. It will be easier to handle this way. That said, there are a few things you can do to make sure your alligator meat turns out delicious. These alligator fillets are so easy to make, youll be surprised. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Make sure there's room for the meat to float around while they cook. 1 lb alligator sirloin. In fact,], many studies have shown that the health of cows and other meat-. 4. Its also reported that soaking alligator meat in milk makes it more digestible, which makes it easier to absorb nutrients. This is what stores are for. If it was longer than five feet, the meat will be tough. It is also much easier to slice if it is boiled first. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cube the alligator meat and add to the butter mixture, stirring to coat the alligator. "Turtle meat's a lot richer. Start by placing the alligator meat in a bowl. Cover the alligator steaks loosely with aluminum foil and let them rest for at least 10 minutes before you serve them. But this is not the case. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. Place the alligator fillet on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. The ice will slowly start to remove the skin. In our opinion, the texture and taste of the white meat is where its at! The tenderloin comes from the tail. There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. Boiling involves placing the alligator fillet in a pot and boiling it. One of the best dishes is alligator sausage. Why not? Drain the fried gator on a rack or a baking sheet lined with paper towels. There are various cooking methods that you can use to cook alligator. Product Info. Pour the buttermilk into a shallow dish. Cajun Alligator Chili. Florida-based YouTube starsRobert Arrington and his wife Sarah will teach you how to properly prepare, grill and fry an alligator tail. Quick view Choose Options. Cochon's James Beard Award-winning chef, Stephen Stryjewski, shared the recipe for one of the restaurant's most popular appetizers. If you want to guarantee your alligator will be the best, try this recipe. You should set aside about half of the mixture to use for basting when the kabobs are on the grill. 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. Alligator fillets are a type of fish and are typically cooked in a similar manner to other fish dishes. 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. Season the alligator with kosher salt if you didn't use salt or salty ingredients in the marinade. fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs); 4. 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. 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 fillet is actually very tender and delicious. Here are some tips to help you cook them perfectly: Alligator fillets can take anywhere from minutes to hours to cook evenly, depending on their thickness and size. As a small thank you, wed like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Heat the oil in a medium size saucepot and heat to 375F. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. Cows are the top meat producers in the world, accounting for more than 50% of all meat production. 4. Dip the alligator in the flour and shake off. Alligator tenderloin somewhat resembles veal and tastes like a cross between frog legs and turtle meat. 4 gallons total should cover the gator depending on the size of cooler you are using. Here is a recipe for alligator fillet that is easy to follow. Directions. No worries. The cut determines the cooking method. Shake to coat. Combine the orange juice, honey, bourbon and ginger to make a glaze. I'm not a big fry person. 4. Cooking alligator fillets can be a fun and easy experience if you follow these simple steps. Then add into the buttermilk mixture and shake off. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Blackened Louisiana Alligator Slider. Other parts of the alligator are double-tenderized, he explained. I cover the tray in a lot of olive oil. When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. What I bought was the tenderloin, the most tender meat, from the tail of the alligator. To grill alligator fillet, first remove any skin or bones. In fact, its been legal to do so for about 100 years. The alligator tail tastes very mild. based animals is poor compared to other forms of animal consumption. One is to avoid eating anything that can contain harmful bacteria, including meats and poultry. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. For one thing, the cooking temperature needed to get the best results is significantly higher than that for other types of fish. Remove the filets from the air fryer, tent with foil and let rest for 10 minutes before serving. 2023 Acadia Crawfish. Andrews' work has appeared in Food and Wine, Fricote and "BBC Good Food." 3. The answer to this question is a resounding No. You do not have to soak alligator meat prior to cooking it. Try this recipe featuring alligator that has been marinated in cajun seasonings, battered in buttermilk and seasoned flour and then fried until golden. Now that you have chosen alligator, the next step is to prepare the meat. If there's still some pink in the middle, put the kabobs back on the grill for 1 minute before serving them. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the alligator fillets. "I think one reason people like it is that it's its own form. It will also get a nice, golden-brown color. 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. Cover the bowl, then refrigerate for 15 minutes. Or you can put it in a Crock Pot with red gravy.". If you dont believe us, substitute that white meat for some gator next time youre cooking your favorite chicken recipe and see for yourself! For this reason, when buying alligator, it is important to make sure that it is a fresh meat. It is the most delicate part of the meat from the animal. After that, sprinkle some lemon juice on them to add some extra flavor. See recipe, cuts, tips and tricks, sauce picante for our "In Judy's Kitchen" video, Archbishop Gregory Aymond's position that alligator counts asseafood 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. If the pieces can't move around in the oil, they won't cook evenly. You can build a marinade around oil and acid or cultured buttermilk. Once the gumbo is done simmering, we add the meat back in. Alligator fillet is quite similar to chicken fillet in taste and appearance. Alligator meat is a popular dish in the southern United States. Wipe off the excess marinade and let the alligator steaks sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. parsley; 1 cup water; 1- 10 oz. In another shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, spices, salt and pepper.