Gator Tail Recipes

BRICE PALMER'S FRIED ALLIGATOR BITES

Steps:

• 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. Drop meat cubes in shaking bag and coat well.
• Deep fry at 375 F for 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown.
• Serve hot with French fries and seafood sauce or other dipping sauce.

ALLIGATOR FINGERS

Steps:

• Place alligator meat in a medium bowl, and mix with vinegar, salt, and pepper. Cover, and refrigerate about 10 minutes.
• Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1 inch, and heat over a medium-high flame.
• Add to a large resealable bag the flour, cornmeal, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper. Squeeze off excess liquid from meat, and add one handful of meat to the resealable bag. Shake to coat. Remove meat, shake off excess flour, and set on a plate. Repeat with remaining meat.
• When oil is hot, place meat pieces into oil, being careful not to overcrowd. Fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Remove to paper towels, and serve hot.
• To prepare dipping sauce, mix together in a small bowl the mayonnaise, horseradish, brown mustard, and red wine vinegar.

SEMINOLE SAUTEED ALLIGATOR TAIL ~ NATIVE AMERICAN RECIPE

Steps:

• Clean and cut the alligator tail meat into strips lengthwise, 4x2-inch wide.
• 2, Sprinkle with lemon juice.
• Mix flour, garlic powder, paprika, salt and pepper.
• Blot the alligator pieces, and dip into flour, then into beaten eggs.
• Let eggs drip off and dip into flour again.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet and saute the alligator pieces quickly. Do not overcook or they will be tough.
• As soon as the meat is browned add 2 cups of water and 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice to the skillet.
• Cover and simmer for about 2 hours or until very tender.
• Serve immediately.

ACE CHAMPION

Steps:

• 1 Pat the alligator meat dry. Place the alligator in a medium bowl and season with the cajun seasoning, garlic powder, and hot sauce, and toss to coat evenly. Cover and allow marinating for at least 10 minutes at room temperature. 2 Remove the alligator from the dry spices. 3 Heat vegetable shortening in a large cast-iron skillet until it registers 350°F (176°C) or use a recommended electric deep fryer. 4 In a separate bowl whisk together the buttermilk, mustard, and eggs. Whisk well. In another bowl add the flour and season with some cajun seasoning as well. 5 Dip the alligator in the flour and shake off. Then add into the buttermilk mixture and shake off. Then back into the flour and shake off. Repeat the process until all is done. 6 When the oil is ready, add the alligator pieces to the skillet in batches, shaking off any excess flour before adding them to the oil and being careful not to overcrowd the skillet. Start with the larger pieces. 7 Cook the alligator, using tongs to turn occasionally, until golden brown and cooked through, about 8 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the temperature of the oil, making sure the oil does not get too hot. Transfer the alligator to a plate lined with paper towels. Repeat the process until all the Alligator is cooked.

FRIED GATOR NUGGETS

Steps:

• Whisk the mayo, mustard, paprika, jalapeño, garlic, and green onion to make the remoulade. Season to taste with a few dashes of hot sauce.
• Season the alligator chunks with salt and pepper and place inside of a bowl or sealable bag with the buttermilk. Marinate for at least an hour, but no more than 24.
• When you're ready to cook, heat oil in a deep fryer or a large cast iron skillet to 350 degrees.
• Mix the flour, breadcrumbs, and Cajun seasoning. Spread across a plate.
• Remove the alligator from the bowl and squeeze out the excess liquid. Dredge each nugget across the breadcrumbs to coat. For extra crispy nuggets, dip them back into the buttermilk and then dredge in breadcrumbs again.
• When the oil is hot, carefully drop in each piece and fry until golden brown, or about 5 minutes, depending on nugget size. Work in batches as needed and transfer to a wire rack when cooked. Serve hot with the remoulade.

GATOR TAIL PICADILLO

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add the onion, garlic, and bay leaves and sauté until the onion is soft, about 5 minutes. Add the tomato paste, stir to incorporate, and cook for 2 minutes.
• Add the alligator meat and sauté until cooked, breaking up with the back of a fork, about 7 minutes. Add the chicken stock, diced tomatoes, golden raisins, green olives, red-wine vinegar, cinnamon sticks, oregano, cumin, and cayenne. Simmer until the picadillo thickens, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
• Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Discard the bay leaves and cinnamon stick. Serve warm on top of white rice.

GATOR TAIL

Steps:

• Mix flour, salt, and pepper in a large bowl with hands. Rinse gator and drain water. Dip in flour mixture. Shake off excess flour. Heat 1/2-inch vegetable oil in a deep frying pan to 350 degrees F. Drop the floured gator in pan and fry for 5 minutes or until golden brown. Serve immediately.