how to cook alligator fillets

Fried Gator. Try to put 5-6 pieces of meat and vegetables on every skewer. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit before cooking the alligator fillets. The meat should have soaked up the rest of the liquid. Braise the alligator steaks in the oven for 1 hour and turn them over. 2. I called the guy who always handlesa live alligator at the Louisiana Restaurant show every summer: Harlon Pearce, of Harlon's Louisiana Seafood. For example, some recipes are cooked on the stove using oil or butter. parsley; 1 cup water; 1- 10 oz. Don't hunt? Marinate for at least 15 minutes or up to 2 hours in the refrigerator for increased flavor. You will have more of the Chili Garlic Mayo than you need for this recipe. Unlike beef, though, which you can generally categorize as tender or tough, alligator meat has two levels of tenderness: tough and tougher. If it is still pink, it is not fully cooked. Grilled Cajun Style Gator Tail. [2]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lWej_c8fz2U. The skin should be removed first and discarded. Mix the alligator meat, salt, pepper, and vinegar in a medium-sized bowl. I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. It is the most delicate part of the meat from the animal. 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. Im Brian Danny Max, a chef and a writer at cookingtom.com. Place a 20lb bag of ice over the gator to weight it down and keep it cold during the brine process. Fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until gator floats in oil. The only time it is not safe to eat catfish is when it is undercooked. Dredge each nugget across the breadcrumbs to coat. Cover dish with foil and bake in a preheated 350-degree oven for 50 minutes to one hour, until potatoes are tender. Place the alligator fillet on a baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, or until it is cooked through. Its been found that people tend to like to eat the fat and skin in these portions. The tail also has white meat in it that isnt a part of the tenderloin. The skin can be very tough, and is best removed before cooking. Portioned into steaks or fillets, alligator tails are definitely considered a delicacy, and can be . 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. Add aromatics, such as onions and garlic, to the pan and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes. This can be done by placing it in a large pot of water and boiling it for about an hour. Alligator is a popular dish in the southern United States. For extra crispy nuggets, dip them back into the buttermilk and then dredge in breadcrumbs again. When it boils down to it, it basically tastes like the chicken of the swamp, hence the white meat reference. Cooking alligator may be old hat for many home cooks, and it's quite apparentchefs are cooking it all over the place. Toss the rings in the dry mixture. cornstarch, egg whites, alligator fillets, salt and 2 more. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. 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. It looks like a dunce cap, long and skinny. It is also much easier to slice if it is boiled first. Heat a few tablespoons of oil or a combination of oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Alligator fillet is quite similar to chicken fillet in taste and appearance. This will make for a better meal. For the Alligator. By using our site, you agree to our. Remove the skin as soon as it loosens. 4. When you think of alligator fillet, you may think that its tough and chewy. Product Info. For this reason, when buying alligator, it is important to make sure that it is a fresh meat. 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. If it's your first time purchasing alligator meat, look for cuts from the tail. Believe it or not, gators have red meat too. It is also not that expensive. Be sure to carefully lower the meat into the oil. Alligator Sausage. Ive been cooking professionally for about 10 years now, and Ive loved every minute of it! If you're using a pellet grill, set it for around 400F degrees. 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. "The effect is a smoky taste outside and inside is true alligator," Sonnier said. 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. ** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Photo: Flickr/ Valerie Hinojosa. You can build a marinade around oil and acid or cultured buttermilk. When you remove the meat from the refrigerator, there should be a small amount of vinegar left at the bottom of the bowl. And the fat on alligator is outside the pieces, not striated throughout the meat like, for instance, beef or pork. Try to leave a little gap of space between the meat and the vegetables to allow them to cook evenly over the grill. And even though there are recipes for cooking alligator fillets, there are also many other issues that need to be considered before trying this approach. To cook the best thick pork chops, all you need is a gas grill. Cover with a layer of diced onions and sprinkle with garlic and parsley. Preheat a pan or grill over medium-high heat and cook the alligator fillets for 3 to 4 minutes per side. In another bowl add the flour and season with some cajun seasoning as well. Of course, you can also cook using different food types. Some others prefer grinding all the meat before making patties, which are quite tasty due to the game flavor. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 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. June 16, 2017 12:52 pm This will make for a better meal. Helpful. Its important to cook alligator fillet at a low temperature, to avoid overcooking the meat and drying it out. Here, well take a look at some of the best meat options for everyday. Amount is based on available nutrient data. The alligator is a large, herbivorous alligator that can reach up to 6 feet in length and weigh between 400 and 1,000 pounds. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs. Mm-mm! Alligator meat is typically slightly salty and has a distinctive flavor. It can be a healthy addition to any meal, though deep frying adds far more calories and fat than dry heat cooking methods like baking or broiling. When it is cooked, the alligator will be a light pink color. 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. Add alligator cubes; stir to coat well. This will also help to keep your alligator meat moist as it cooks. Alligators are a common sight in the southern United States, and many people may wonder why they are often seen soaking in milk. 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. Instructions on how to actually killthe alligator aren't included but even if they were, um, don't try to get alligator meat that way. ", 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.". 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 . This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Cut alligator into 1-inch chunks and season with salt and pepper. 3. Preheat your pit to 250. The figure is even higher for beef, with 71% of all cattle being used to produce beef. 8. 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. Back then, there were no milk processors, so people would soak alligators in milk to preserve them. Grilled Alligator Ribs. Alligators are a popular food choice for many people, but some may be confused by the term chewy. Is alligator meat really that chewier than other creatures meat? Season the steaks to taste and sear them on both sides until golden-brown. Alligator fillets are a type of fish and are typically cooked in a similar manner to other fish dishes. Mix it with a tablespoon of white vinegar along with a dash of salt and pepper. "They probably live in the same environment and eat the same stuff, so it's really similar to that taste," Sonnier said. Wipe off the excess marinade and let the alligator steaks sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. Add the skewers to the grill and cook them for about 5 minutes per side. In a couple of weeks, fall will descend upon us. Use a slotted spoon to lift the calamari rings out of the buttermilk. Our tenderized fillets are unmatched in both tenderness and taste. vacume sealed packs of white meat, marinated and ready to grill. Report abuse. Use a pair of tongs to flip them over so that the batter is evenly cooked on both sides. 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. If it is tough or chewy, it is not done. I'm not a big fry person. Heat to 360 degrees F. Coat the alligator meat with the fish batter. Florida-based YouTube starsRobert Arrington and his wife Sarah will teach you how to properly prepare, grill and fry an alligator tail. Transfer the alligator to a plate lined with paper towels. Its been proven that you can use the alligator meat as a natural salt substitute. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. In another shallow bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, spices, salt and pepper. Meat tenderizers are made of enzymes or acids that break down the proteins in meat, making it more tender. Alligator tenderloin somewhat resembles veal and tastes like a cross between frog legs and turtle meat. 4 alligator fillets. All Rights Reserved. Rinse fish fillets with tap or bottled water, throw out the guts and cook fish well. Lets take a closer look. Then, pour in 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of vinegar and stir the meat and vinegar together. There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. 1. Then I pan sear each side of the marinated alligator fillets for three minutes per side. 4. Cook the fillets for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, making sure they are grilled all the way through. Another way to tenderize alligator meat is to use a meat tenderizer. Instructions. The rest of the alligator can then be removed from the bone. The process requires that the meat be immersed in boiling hot water for at least two minutes. You could classify it as a lighter meat. That's the tenderloin. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. But how do you know when alligator meat is done? How to Cook Brussels Sprouts on the Stove, in the Oven & More, http://www.wideopencountry.com/youll-hunting-alligators-seeing-gator-meat-recipe/, https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/84273/alligator-fingers/, https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/bobby-flay/fried-alligator-nuggets-recipe-1941458. 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. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. Second, the alligator meat should be very moist and tender. However, roasting is mostly recommended for large fish. Heat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. Alligator Meat's popularity has grown exponentially throughout the world. 3. First, the alligator meat should be a deep red color. The hot oil can splash out of the pan and cause serious burns. Heat a cast-iron grill pan over medium heat. Put some crab boil spices in water according to direction. Like some of its more land-dwelling counterparts, alligator meat's . Make sure there's room for the meat to float around while they cook. 2. His company also processes the occasional nuisance gator. It is a type of meat that is considered to be a delicacy in some parts of the world. Microwave half a cup of butter for 30 seconds. 5. We prefer to poach the tenderloins, and let them cool, then shred the meat by hand. Dispose of any extra marinade. Alligator sausage can be prepared by making a kind of cured sausage that combines alligator and pork. At French Quarter restaurant Kingfish (337 Chartres St., 504-598-5005; www.kingfishneworleans.com), chef Nathan Richard pulls from his Cajun u. The frying method involves frying the alligator fillet in a mixture of salt, pepper and oil. 2) Use an oven thermometer. Remove the alligator from the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid. I specialize in healthy, flavorful recipes that are easy to make at home. Place the alligator meat into a large bowl and add the granulated garlic, salt, black pepper and cayenne pepper. Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame. Grill the alligator for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until cooked through. 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. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ea\/Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg\/aid10203372-v4-728px-Cook-Alligator-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"