If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. In a small bowl combine olive oil garlic powder paprika salt and black pepper. This will give them a nice and zesty flavor. Read More . 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. You should set aside about half of the mixture to use for basting when the kabobs are on the grill. Some others prefer grinding all the meat before making patties, which are quite tasty due to the game flavor. Whisk well. Today, milk processors have made it easier to process milk, so there is no need to soak alligators in milk. Gary's Island . Add Kosher or sea salt, brown sugar and white sugar to the water in the cooler and let the gator sit in the brine for 16 hours. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning as needed with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. When cooking alligator, it is important to know when it is done. I'm not a big fry person. Remove the alligator from the dry spices. Powered by the ESHA Research Database 2018, ESHA Research, Inc. All Rights Reserved, alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. Alligator is sold in the market as a whole or as a fillet. 2. The milk helps to break down the food and makes it easier to digest. The ice will slowly start to remove the skin. 4. It's processed and naturally hickory-smoked in wood-burning ovens at Crescent City Meat Company in Metairie. And of course, it always tastes great pan-seared or fried to a golden crisp! Then we have the white meat from the gators legs and body. This will help to make the flavors more potent and keep the meat moist while it cooks on the grill. Alligator meat is typically slightly salty and has a distinctive flavor. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 19,580 times. You can also grill alligator fillet. packs (approximately 40 lbs.) "They probably live in the same environment and eat the same stuff, so it's really similar to that taste," Sonnier said. Place a small section of aluminum foil on the pellet smoker's grill grates and spray with pan coating to prevent sticking. 2 pounds alligator meat, cut into bite-size pieces. Boiling involves placing the alligator fillet in a pot and boiling it. The fish weighed an astonishing 162 pounds! Fry for 1 - 2 minutes or until crisp. Another bonus about this meat is that it's not only tasty and versatile, but virtually fat free and high in protein. Alligator Meat's popularity has grown exponentially throughout the world. 2023 Acadia Crawfish. Watch on. Braise the alligator steaks in the oven for 1 hour and turn them over. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes to prevent them from burning. Marinate the alligator steak for 2 to 3 hours. One of the alligators favorite prey items is the American beaver. Stir or whisk to distribute the pepper. 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. His number one tip for cooking alligator tail: Don't cook it too long, he said. You can also cook using boiling water, a microwave or an infrared oven. 3. 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. Other questions:subscriberservices@theadvocate.com. Instructions. The skin should be removed first and discarded. Ground meat recipes would work for the tougher gator parts. If you cant afford the tenderloin, this cut is your next best bet. Second, the alligator meat should be very moist and tender. NEW !!!! Not sure where to buy your meat? Pour the buttermilk into a shallow dish. 7. Here, well take a look at some of the best meat options for everyday. This article has been viewed 19,580 times. If you want to guarantee your alligator will be the best, try this recipe. The answer to this question depends on what youre looking for. My parents are both great cooks, and they taught me a lot about the kitchen. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot. Meat is the number 1 healthiest meat in the world, according to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition. If you are new, we're so glad you joined the family! For another, alligator fillets are so large that they require a large cooking surface. Heat a few tablespoons of oil or a combination of oil and butter in a heavy-bottomed pan or skillet over medium-high heat. Repeat the process until all the Alligator is cooked. 6. Pat the alligator meat dry. Donald Barkemeyer's alligator sausage, brand name Louisiana Cajun Grill Sausage, $6.99 a pound, is sold inWinn-Dixie stores in the New Orleans region and Gulf South. Portioned into steaks or fillets, alligator tails are definitely considered a delicacy, and can be . Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. How do you know when alligator is done cooking. If it is still pink, it is not fully cooked. Shake to coat. 4. This requires a bit of work, but the results are worth it. This is better because you can make more use of the alligator. Im here to help you learn how to cook, and to show you that its not as difficult as you might think! Avoid overcrowding the oil with pieces of meat. It is a type of meat that is considered to be a delicacy in some parts of the world. You can handle and treat that like a good piece of meat, even grill it.". Cook Time: 15 minutes. Each September, chef Nathan Richard joins his friends to hunt alligator in the swamps around Lafourche Parish. Boneless Turtle Meat 2 lb bag $69.99. Remove alligator filets from the skillet and transfer to a baking dish. Don't hunt? The meat should have soaked up the rest of the liquid. 4. One is to avoid eating anything that can contain harmful bacteria, including meats and poultry. Cover, and refrigerate about 10 minutes. The cut determines the cooking method. Set next to the lemon sauce. Its been found that people tend to like to eat the fat and skin in these portions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Prep Time: 5 minutes. Add the eggs and water to a separate shallow bowl. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. June 16, 2017 12:52 pm 2. Turn the steak over every 4 or 5 minutes so it cooks evenly on both sides. Level up your tech skills and stay ahead of the curve. 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. The skin can be very tough, and is best removed before cooking. How to Cook Bone-In Pork Strips in the Grilling a Top Sirloin Filet in a Cast How to Sear Tenderloin Steak and Cook A.J. 3. 15 feet casing for stuffing. You have permission to edit this article. If it is cooked properly, the meat will be tender and juicy. Most people will choose to cook the whole alligator. Alligators eat what they want, when they want, so they have minimal fat reserves, and their meat is lean. 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. As tough as alligators are in the wild, it comes as no surprise they're just as tough in the kitchen. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. In a couple of weeks, fall will descend upon us. Wipe off the excess marinade and let the alligator steaks sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. We find out his secrets for cooking alligator and how to clean it before cooking. For this reason, when buying alligator, it is important to make sure that it is a fresh meat. If it was longer than five feet, the meat will be tough. Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame. Grilled alligator is cooked by applying a light coating of oil and grilling on a grill or hot pan. To cook the best thick pork chops, all you need is a gas grill. There are several ways to tenderize alligator meat, but the most common is to marinate it in a mixture of acidic ingredients such as lime juice, vinegar, or citrus fruits. The study, which was conducted by the World Health Organization, found that foods with healthy fats and fibers are the healthiest among all foods. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. Alligator is very good to eat. You can get frozen alligator meat online. Add one cup of ice water to the mixture. Hello, Louisiana: How do you cook and eat alligator? "Turtle meat is more similar to beef or venison. The pheromones are chemicals that act as signals to other animals, such as other people. Although most commonly served fried as gator "nuggets", alligator is said to have a veal-like quality and can be easily substituted for any dish containing seafood, chicken, or pork. It requires high amounts of fat, so it needs to be cooked well. Omega 3s, this low-calorie fish is a healthy choice. I cover the tray in a lot of olive oil. This will help ensure that they will cook evenly and not get too tough or dry. If you can, you want to find out how big the gator was. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat to 360 degrees F. Coat the alligator meat with the fish batter. Don't miss a story! If you want to batter all of the pieces before you fry them, place the dipped pieces on a plate while you finish battering the rest of them. Sear the alligator on both sides until golden brown, just like a regular steak. Cajun Fried Alligator. But cooking it? 2. Add stock as needed to keep the steaks at least halfway submerged at all times. Oldie but goodie thank you for rocking with us we apprecia. The alligator is a real American legend, and almost every state has its own alligator restaurant. Heat the oil in a medium size saucepot and heat to 375F. ", 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.". Ive been interested in food and cooking since I was a child. It is the most delicate part of the meat from the animal. 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. Tough Step 1. There are mainly three methods, namely fried, boiled and grilled. Its also reported that soaking alligator meat in milk makes it more digestible, which makes it easier to absorb nutrients. Place the alligator fillets onto a baking sheet and bake for about 20 . Cook the fillets for 5 to 8 minutes on each side, making sure they are grilled all the way through. To each his own! Grilling and frying are some of the most popular ways to cook alligator, and both methods are perfect for an aspiring chef. The taste is delicious, and its one of the most expensive dishes in the market. Turn the heat off and pour enough stock in the pan to almost cover the steaks. This will ensure that you are getting the best cuts of alligator. You can make alligator meat into a variety of dishes. This is because they contain the highest level of fatty acids, which are essential for the body. The answer to this question is a resounding No. You do not have to soak alligator meat prior to cooking it. I tried to convince him to eat alligator fillet. Category: dinner. Buttermilk is a better tenderizer than acid, but you have more flavoring options . Try this recipe featuring alligator that has been marinated in cajun seasonings, battered in buttermilk and seasoned flour and then fried until golden. This helps break down the collagen in the skin, resulting in a texture thats similar to steak. The ribs, nuggets and wings are a darker meat with a stronger flavor and a texture similar to pork. Once the meat is cooked, remove it from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside on a plate. 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.