Alligator Pie Recipes

GELSON'S ALLIGATOR PASTRY

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 375*. Make the frosting and set aside. Heat the maple syrup and 1/4 cup butter until butter melts. Stir in the confectioners' sugar until smooth. TO MAKE THE DOUGH: Dissolve the yeast in about half the milk; let stand 5 minutes. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, combine the 3 tablespoons sugar, salt, 3 tablespoons melted butter, remaining milk and the yeast mixture. Gradually beat in the 2 1/2 cups flour. Knead to make a smooth dough, about 6 to 8 minutes. Let dough rest for 30 minutes, covered with a clean towel. Roll out on a floured surface into a large rectangle, about 16 by 20 inches. Spread 1/4 cup of the softened butter on top. Fold the dough into thirds. Repeat 2 more times, rolling and then spreading with the remaining butter. Allow dough to rest 30 minutes.
• 2. TO MAKE THE FILLING (makes about 2 cups): Blend the 1 cup sugar, almond paste, 3/4 cup butter and honey into a paste. Toss the ground pecans with the 1 tablespoon flour and fold into the paste.
• 3. TO SHAPE AND BAKE: Divide dough into 2 equal portions. Using 1 portion at a time, roll dough as thinly as possible into an 18x12-inch rectangle. Spread the half of the filling on entire surface of each dough rectangle, then fold each lengthwise in thirds. Place on lightly greased baking sheet and brush with beaten egg. Decorate tops with pecan halves to resemble an alligator's skin. Let rest 15 minutes.
• 4. Bake alligators for 20 to 30 minutes, until golden brown. While still hot, drizzle tops with the Maple Icing.
• 5. Makes 2 Alligators. Note: I like to roast my pecans sighlty.

ALLIGATOR PECAN PIE

Steps:

• 1. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Cut the cream cheese into chunks and place in bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until smooth. Add sugar and beat 3 minutes at medium speed. Beat in the egg, salt and vanilla. Spread evenly in the bottom of the pie shell. Place the pecans on top in a single layer. Make the next layer by beating the 3 eggs with the 1 / 4 cup of sugar for 2 minutes at medium speed. Beat in the corn syrup and vanilla until well blended. Mixture will not be thick. Pour over pecans. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. The cream cheese will puff over the pecans while the syrup layer solidifies underneath. Cool on a rack before cutting. Makes 8 servings.

SPINACH AND FETA CHEESE "ALLIGATOR"

Steps:

• Dough:.
• Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm water and leave it a few minutes, till it starts to bubble and foam.
• Measure 2 3/4 cups flour into a large bowl and stir in the salt.
• Beat together the egg, milk and olive oil; stir in the yeast mixture and then mix the liquid into the flour. Stir till it forms a dough.
• When the stirring gets tough, spread the remaining flour on a board and turn the dough out on it. Knead it gently, turning often at first to keep it coated with flour, till it is smooth and becoming elastic.
• Form the dough into a ball and put it into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel and set it aside to rise in a warm place for about an hour, or till doubled.
• While it rises, make the filling:.
• Heat the olive oil in a large non-stick skillet and saute the chopped onions, garlic and leek in it till the vegetables are soft and beginning to color.
• Add the scallions, chopped spinach and potatoes and toss everything together till the spinach wilts.
• Cover and keep cooking on low heat for about 10 minutes, or till potatoes are tender.
• Uncover, raise the heat, and stir occasionally for a few minutes more, till excess moisture completely cooks away.
• Stir in the dill and cider vinegar and remove from heat.
• Break eggs into a bowl, reserving 1 yolk to use for a glaze. Beat the eggs with the milk. Crumble the feta cheese.
• Transfer the hot vegetable mixture into a cool bowl, and stir in the feta cheese, the uncooked rice and the sliced olives. Season with black pepper. Taste and add salt only if needed (the cheese and olives may be saltly enough).
• Stir in beaten eggs and milk. Let the prepared filling sit for about 15 minutes, to allow rice and potatoes to soak up some moisture.
• Punch down dough and divide it in half. On a large, floured surface, pat one half of the dough into a rectangle, then gently roll it, turning it over and dusting with more flour to keep it from sticking, till you have an oval about 24 inches long and 8-10 inches across.
• Fold the dough in half cross wise and lay it down on a greased baking sheet. Unfold it and spoon half the filling down the middle, from the fold line to within an inch of the end.
• Beat the reserved egg yolk with a spoonful of water and brush the edges of the dough with it. fold the other half of the dough over again, laying it evenly on top of the filling and pressing the edges together lightly. Then fold the edges up from underneath, curling the bottom crust over the edge of the top crust, and crimping or pleating it. Pierce the dough here and there with a fork.
• Roll out the second half of the dough and fill and seal as with the first half.
• Bake the alligators at 350 for about 30-45 minutes (depending on your oven). Cool slightly before slicing.